Job Posting: HEADQUARTERS ENFORCEMENT LEGAL ASSISTANT

CA Coastal Commission

JC-500012
-
HEADQUARTERS ENFORCEMENT LEGAL ASSISTANT
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT

$3,724.00 - $5,810.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 12/5/2025

Job Description and Duties

The Enforcement Unit of the California Coastal Commission is seeking talented, skilled, and knowledgeable law students to work in the Headquarters Enforcement Unit on cases brought to enforce the Coastal Act and to protect coastal resources up and down the State.  

The incumbent is assigned to work in the Headquarters Unit as a member of the Statewide Enforcement Program, which is within the Coastal Commission’s Legal Division to obtain compliance with the Coastal Act in complex cases.  The incumbent works under close supervision and at the direction of the Chief of Enforcement Supervising Counsel and the Deputy Chief of Enforcement and performs case research and analysis, assists in legal research, and in the preliminary work involved in preparing other legal matters.  

The incumbent is responsible for obtaining compliance with the Coastal Act via investigating and assisting Headquarters Enforcement Counsel in bringing cases to hearing before the Commission, assisting in drafting correspondence, and assisting in drafting and negotiating settlement documents, assisting in preparing and presenting proposed settlements or other Orders to the Commission in public hearings, assisting in monitoring compliance with Orders issued by the Commission, assisting in litigation support, and assisting in other policy and enforcement tasks.  

The incumbent also assists in identifying and analyzing potential environmental justice impacts in projects, and drafting environmental justice, diversity and inclusion provisions in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission's Environmental Justice Policy, as well as assisting in conducting tribal coordination and consultation for relevant projects, including communicating with and gathering information from tribes, assessing impacts to cultural and tribal resources and drafting findings in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission’s Tribal Consultation Policy.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Work during regular office hours, Monday through Friday. Consistent with the Commission’s hybrid work and telework policies, work location may be eligible to be a combination of in-office (a climate-controlled office environment with artificial lighting in the Commission’s office building in San Francisco, or in the field as needed) and remote (an approved alternate work location consistent with the Commission’s telework policy). The telework and hybrid work policies are subject to change at any time

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-500012
Position #(s):
348-101-4872-XXX
Working Title:
HEADQUARTERS ENFORCEMENT LEGAL ASSISTANT
Classification:
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT
$3,724.00 - $4,141.00 A
$4,021.00 - $4,471.00 B
$4,167.00 - $4,679.00 C
$4,340.00 - $4,873.00 D
$4,539.00 - $5,091.00 E
$4,734.00 - $5,299.00 F
$5,139.00 - $5,810.00 G
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Student Assistant

Department Information

The California Coastal Commission is a small state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean resources. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.

The California Coastal Commission values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission of protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations.

We have district offices in Arcata, San Francisco (headquarters), Santa Cruz, Ventura, Long Beach, San Diego and a small legislative office in Sacramento.

Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 12/5/2025

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating “preference under Government Code section 18220”. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Other - Cover Letter
  • Other - Writing Sample (5 pages or less)
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

In order to qualify for this position, the applicant must be enrolled in an accredited Law School. The position requires specific knowledge of the policies, requirements, and enforcement provisions of the Coastal Act of 1976 and its implementing regulations; the Commission’s permit processing procedures; the procedures for adoption of cease and desist orders, restoration orders, and administrative penalty actions; litigation processes; and legal concepts.  It is desired that the incumbent have knowledge of the functions and relationships of federal, state, county, and city governments, as well as regional councils of government and special districts.

The incumbent must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to interact with coworkers and the public in a manner that promotes cooperation and dispute resolution, and to organize and effectively manage a high workload.  The incumbent must possess excellent written and oral communication skills and a commitment to excellence.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lisa Haage
(415) 904-5220
lisa.haage@coastal.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Ashley Reineman
(805) 585-1800
humanresources@coastal.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job