Environmental Policy Specialist

Job Description and Duties

Under the close supervision of the Policy Unit Manager, the Air Pollution Specialist (Environmental Policy Specialist) primarily provides support on the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This includes providing technical analysis and guidance to support implementation of the CEQA Judicial Streamlining Program, which combines both the SB 7 Environmental Leadership Development Project Program and the SB 149 Infrastructure Streamlining Program. Judicial Streamlining Program staff assist the Governor in determining if the statutory criteria for certification have been met. If a project has been certified by the Governor for judicial streamlining and a CEQA lawsuit is filed, the courts must use expedited rules of court that reduce the time of the litigation to approximately 9 months. The Environmental Policy Specialist reviews judicial streamlining applications to assist in making a recommendation to the Governor’s Office about whether the statutory requirements have been met, checks for technical accuracy, and identifies feasible mitigation measures.

The Environmental Policy Specialist supports the broader Policy Unit on developing various CEQA Technical Advisories, assisting with the update of the CEQA Guidelines, and other CEQA policy-related efforts. To fulfill these duties, knowledge and expertise of carbon sequestration, including soil health and living systems is desired. Familiarity with the principles of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions quantification or inventories is a plus.

The Environmental Policy Specialist supports the advancement of broad State goals and priorities in this role, including ecosystem and environmental health, climate change mitigation and GHG reduction, infill development, improved transportation efficiency (with respect to vehicle miles traveled), housing production and affordability, economic development and shared prosperity, climate resiliency, and social and racial equity.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Occasional/overnight travel up to 15% may be required.

Special Requirements

• Ability to maintain consistent attendance
• Ability to demonstrate punctuality, initiative, and dependability

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:

• Demonstrated expertise in state and/or local programs and policies related to land use planning, regional planning, sustainability and climate change.
• Experience conducting air quality, GHG, and/or environmental analyses used in the preparation of environmental documents required for CEQA compliance.
• Knowledge of soil science and the study of living systems (water, nitrogen, carbon).
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including the ability to conduct technical analysis, key informant interviews, synthesize existing research, design data collection mechanisms, conduct literature review, and write reports.Familiarity with the principles of regeneration in relation to ecosystem health.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emissions inventories, GHG quantification and mitigation guidance, and scientific principles of climate change and air pollution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to communicate to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing a deadline-driven, collaborative process with multiple partners.
• Excellent collaboration skills including experience facilitating consensus decision-making processes, navigating complex policy issues, and engaging a wide range of stakeholders.Ability to lead and inspire teamwork and collaboration by being accessible, supportive, and empathetic, and maintain constructive team relationships.
• Strong work ethic, proactive, detail-oriented and organized.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to prioritize emergent and ongoing tasks.
• Good judgment and reasoning skills, including ability to navigate complex situations while considering a variety of factors including ethics, cultural differences, facts and assumptions, consequences and risks, and the needs of all parties.
• Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

• Medical Benefits, including health , and vision insurance
• Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
• (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
• Paid Holidays
• (College Saving Account)
• School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Statement of Qualifications

When completing the supplemental questionnaire, you must title the page “Supplemental Questionnaire” and include your name and the Job Control number at the top of each page. Please list each question and provide your response directly below it. Be sure to include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question, and explain your answers thoroughly. Responses should not exceed two pages total, must be single-spaced, and use 12-point Arial font. Your supplemental questionnaire must address the following:

1. Describe your experience in CEQA and environmental policy, with a focus on developing and drafting policy, guidance, regulations, and other technical documents.
2. Describe a time when you were responsible for building consensus among a diverse group of stakeholders. Include any challenges you encountered, your response to those challenges, and the result.
3. Describe how you have centered equity and promoted environmental justice in your previous roles, with a focus on policy work.
4. It's 2050 and California has achieved its social and environmental goals, what does it look like and how did we get there?

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.
• School Transcripts
• Supplemental Application -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. The statement of qualifications is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties listed in this bulletin. The supplemental questionnaire serves as a documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Résumés in lieu of the SOQ will not be considered.

  Refer to the SOQ Requirement Section of this job posting for the SOQ questions.