Job Posting: Coastal Scientist

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission

JC-211903
-
Coastal Scientist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$3,851.00 - $7,364.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

BCDC’s Policy Team is responsible for conducting major planning studies; policy research and analysis; and, incorporating best available science and best management practices into BCDC’s plans. Our recent accomplishments include amending the Bay Plan to improve the permitting process for habitat restoration projects and amending the Bay Plan to include findings and policies regarding environmental justice and social equity. Ongoing projects include 1) an amendment to Bay Plan mitigation policies; 2) a stakeholder-driven update to the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan; 3) updates to the San Francisco Waterfront Special Area Plan, in collaboration with the Port of San Francisco and Exploratorium; and, 4) a Bay Plan Climate Change Policy Guidance document to assist permit applicants in analyzing projects’ vulnerability to rising sea level.

Under general direction of the Planning Manager, the Coastal Scientist works independently to research and analyze complex planning policy topics, involving shoreline development, ecosystem restoration, Bay filling and dredging, resource conservation, public use and enjoyment of the Bay as staff to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. The Coastal Scientist, with considerable independence, will conduct research by reviewing academic and grey literature and case studies, interviewing stakeholders, and holding public workshops to integrate community perspectives; analyze policy options, including assessing the environmental justice and social equity implications; develop policy recommendations; and write background and staff reports for plan amendments. Planning topics may include: updating Special Area Plans for specific areas along the shoreline; updating the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan; balancing redevelopment, historic preservation, adaptation to rising sea level, public trust consistency and public access along the San Francisco waterfront; adaptive management of public access in light of rising sea level; allowing Bay fill for multi-benefit flood protection; and/or updating policies regarding water-related recreation and transportation, such as marinas and ferries. This work involves leading and facilitating open, transparent policy amendments with stakeholders and the public.

Duties include:

  • Performs complex and specialized environmental and natural resource analysis, research, surveys, investigations, and studies involving shoreline development, ecosystem restoration, Bay filling and dredging, resource conservation, public use and enjoyment of the Bay.
  • Integrate best available science, such as sea level rise considerations, and best management practices into BCDC policy.
  • Prepare written reports to make recommendations for action on amendments to the Commission's laws, policies and regulations, and provide oral presentations to the Commission, public interest groups, and other local, state and federal agencies.
  • Facilitate collaborative stakeholder processes to integrate multiple interests into recommendations via interviews, presentations, public workshops, community engagement, and interagency coordination.
  • Review local, state and federal plans or programs and environmental impact reports for projects affecting the Bay and prepare comments regarding compliance with the Bay Plan.
  • Works with considerable independence and acts as lead planner or project manager, occasionally directing the work of other analysts, fellows, or interns.

 

Working Conditions

An office in downtown San Francisco.

This is a full-time, 12-month limited-term position with a possibility of extension or becoming permanent.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-211903
Position #(s):
722-101-0762-XXX
Working Title:
Coastal Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$3,851.00 - $7,364.00 Effective July 1, 2020, State employees are subject to a 9.23% salary reduction in exchange for 16 hours of the Personal Leave Program 2020 (PLP 2020) per month. 
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is a State of California government agency located in the City of San Francisco with regulatory and planning responsibilities over San Francisco Bay, the Suisun Marsh, and along the Bay Area’s nine-county shoreline. BCDC is guided in its actions by state and federal laws, including: the McAteer-Petris Act, Suisun Marsh Preservation Act, Coastal Zone Management Act; and its policies, including the San Francisco Bay Plan, Suisun Marsh Protection Plan and various special area plans. Through its laws and policies, BCDC protects hundreds of miles of shoreline, collaborates with local, regional, state and federal agencies, and facilitates the implementation of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail. Finally, BCDC is a leader in preparing the region for rising sea level through its adoption of Bay Plan Climate Change policies in 2011; the Adapting to Rising Tides Program; and Bay Adapt, a collaborative effort to identify actions that will advance the region’s resilience.

Department Website: www.bcdc.ca.gov

Application Instructions

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: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

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:

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission
Attn:
45 Fremont Street, Suite 1930
San Francisco, CA 94105

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

45 Fremont Street, Suite 1930
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 - Brief Writing Sample (5 pages or less)
  • Other - Minimum of Three (3) References
  • Other - Cover Letter
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:

We are seeking a talented and driven planner to carry out policy research on behalf of BCDC. You should be an effective and analytical problem solver with excellent writing and public speaking skills and the capacity to become a strong negotiator. This role requires close communication with local, state, and federal agency staff, other project stakeholders, community-based organizations, and with BCDC‘s regulatory and planning staff. You should feel comfortable working independently and leading projects. Ideally, you will have experience and interest in natural resource management and protection and collaborative land use planning, as well as sea level rise adaptation, environmental justice and social equity, and translating science into policy, plans, and technical guidance. Knowledge of California coastal zone management, land use and environmental planning principles, including CEQA, is highly desirable.

Benefits

For a list of benefits, go to https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/salary-and-benefits.aspx.

Benefits include paid vacation/sick leave or annual leave; public transit subsidy; 11 paid holidays each calendar year; health, dental, and vision benefits; and deferred compensation and retirement benefit programs.

Effective July 1, 2020, State employees are subject to a 9.23% salary reduction in exchange for 16 hours of the Personal Leave Program 2020 (PLP 2020) per month. 



 

Contact Information

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

Department Website: www.bcdc.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Corinne Young
(415) 904-9446
Corinne.Young@coastal.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Shannon Fiala
(415) 352-3665
Shannon.Fiala@bcdc.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:
Peggy Atwell
(415) 352-3638
Peggy.Atwell@bcdc.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.

Environmental Scientist Examination/Eligibility

The Environmental Scientist examination is given by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR).  Visit www.jobs.ca.gov, click the Exam/Assessment icon and search for Environmental Scientist.  Please note that if you have not successfully participated in the Environmental Scientist examination or are not a current or former State employee who meets the minimum qualifications for the Environmental Scientist classification, you cannot be considered for this job vacancy.

For questions regarding eligibility, contact Anissa Kotey, Human Resources Analyst, at 415-352-3639 or Anissa.Kotey@bcdc.ca.gov.

Applying for the Job

The job opening is at the BCDC; however, the California Coastal Commission handles BCDC’s personnel work. You may apply online at the State of California’s CalCareers website or by mail or email. To apply for the job, submit a State of California Application (std 678) available online at http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/employment or http://www.jobs.ca.gov, along with a cover letter, a resume, a writing sample, and a minimum of three references to:

 

Human Resources Office

California Coastal Commission

455 Market Street, Suite 228

San Francisco, California 94105-2219.

(415) 904-5430 or toll free (866) 831-2540

HumanResources@coastal.ca.gov

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications received by August 24, 2020 will be given first priority for consideration. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified candidates will be interviewed. No relocation expenses will be reimbursed.  


For more information about BCDC or this position, visit our website at www.bcdc.ca.gov or contact Shannon Fiala, BCDC Planning Manager, at 415-352-3665 or Shannon.Fiala@bcdc.ca.gov

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.