LEGISLATIVE ANALYST

Job Description and Duties

The California Coastal Commission (Commission) is a small state agency charged with implementing the California Coastal Act of 1976 to protect, preserve, and enhance natural resources and public access in the coastal zone of California. The Commission’s Legislative Program works with the Governor’s Administration, the Legislature, their staff and others in the State Capitol; monitors and engages in legislation relevant to the Commission; assists in the development of the agency’s annual budget; and coordinates with state agencies and organizations.

The Coastal Commission (Commission) is seeking a thoughtful, strategic thinker with diplomatic skills and policy acumen to join its Legislative Program. The Legislative Analyst position is located in the Commission’s Sacramento Office. This position has responsibility for representing the Commission before the Legislature, and contributing to carrying out the Commission’s legislative priorities.

Working under the direction of the Legislative Program Manager and the Deputy Director for Legislation, the Legislative Analyst will assist in planning, organizing, and implementing the Coastal Commission’s statewide legislative program. Responsibilities will include identifying, tracking, and analyzing bills affecting the California Coastal Commission and the coastal zone; monitoring, developing testimony for, and, as opportunities allow, testifying at legislative hearings; corresponding with legislative staff; developing and maintaining professional relationships with non-governmental organizations; responding to correspondence and inquiries from legislative district offices; and other duties as assigned. The Legislative Analyst will also conduct research as needed and prepare written graphic and informational materials on various legislative topics. As part of these research responsibilities, the Legislative Analyst will be expected to become familiar with how to conduct targeted, in-person research at the California State Archives and the California State Law Library.

Specific duties of the Legislative Analyst will include, but will not be limited to:

• Assist in identifying, reviewing, and tracking proposed legislation and legislative amendments affecting the Coastal Commission, Coastal Act, and/or coastal zone, including through use of an online legislative tracking service.
• Assist in compiling, updating, and posting a monthly staff legislative report of tracked legislation.
• Conduct research and analyze proposed legislation affecting the Coastal Act, the coastal zone and the Commission.
• Monitor, develop testimony for, and testify at legislative hearings as appropriate.
• Assist with the creation and formatting of various public communication materials related to legislative measures and related policies.
• Receive informational inquiries from legislative offices and coordinates with staff colleagues as appropriate to provide responses.
• Assist in development and delivery of informational briefings to legislators, legislative staff, and the Commission on various policy topics.
• Oversee various administrative functions for the Sacramento Coastal Commission office.
• Participate in various special projects to advance the Commission’s Legislative Program and agency Strategic Plan.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The Commission’s Sacramento Office is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (except for state holidays), and is a climate-controlled office environment with both natural and artificial light.

The Legislative Analyst will be expected to work during business hours in the office at a minimum of 2 days per week, though during the state legislative session (January through September) it will often be necessary to spend additional hours/days in the office in order to attend various in-person meetings, hearings, etc. Aside from these necessary in-person duties, the current 2-day in-office requirement includes some flexibility as to the specific hours and days worked remotely versus in the office. The amount and availability of telework and/or office work will be determined based on the functions of the position and current rules and policies.

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:

• Experience with the Legislative process and general structure of the Administration and its departments.

• Familiarity with the basic concepts of coastal management, environmental impact analysis and regulation, and land use planning in California.

• General understanding of the policies and regulatory structure of the Coastal Act.

• Experience with pressing coastal land use issues, such as climate change, housing affordability, environmental justice, resource management, etc.

• Ability to critically analyze information, creatively explore alternative approaches, and develop defensible policy positions.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to write accurate, complete, and concise staff reports, legislative analyses, and correspondence.

• Ability to work cooperatively with staff colleagues and external partners are a variety of tasks and projects.

• Ability to recognize and analysis sensitive political situations accurately and take effective action.

• Good problem-solver.

• Fast learner, organized, an excellent multi-tasker, and able to perform under pressure.

• Good sense of humor.

Benefits

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

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Submit cover letter that describes how your qualifications align with the desirable qualifications for this position (2 pages or less)
• Other - Three professional references