Senior Staff Counsel for CEQA and Land Use
State of California See More Job Openings by This Employer
Under the direction of LCI’s Chief Counsel the Attorney V (Senior Staff Counsel for CEQA and Land Use) will independently perform work involving novel issues and emerging areas of law within the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Planning and Zoning Law, Administrative Procedure Act, California Public Records Act, and Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Law. The Senior Staff Counsel will be responsible for varied and complex legal, technical, and analytical assignments such as program development and implementation, evaluation, research, meeting preparation, report preparation, and strategic coordination. The incumbent will develop, communicate, review, and disseminate technical advisories and guidelines on topics including CEQA, planning and zoning law, General Plan law, and land use law generally. As part of this work, they will conduct highly sensitive outreach and complex outreach and negotiations with federal, state, and local governments and other stakeholders on these topics; coordinate with the other teams within State Planning and Policy Development on assignments related to planning and land use policy topics, including any work that occurs as part of interagency teams and the development of the General Plan Guidelines. The Senior Staff Counsel will participate in developing and managing a portfolio of assigned projects. The incumbent is expected to carry out responsibilities utilizing independent decision-making and judgment.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Salary- $12,659 - $16,883/month
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Department Information
The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) serves the Governor and his Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research and constitutes the comprehensive state planning agency. LCI assists the Governor and the Administration in planning, research, policy development, and legislative analysis. LCI formulates long- range state goals and policies to address land use, climate change, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, infrastructure development, groundwater sustainability and drought response, and resource protection. LCI’s budget programs include State Planning and Policy Development, Strategic Growth Council, , Racial Equity Commission. LCI is a fast-paced, creative work environment that requires staff to have strong collaboration skills, an ability to quickly respond to changing policy needs, and a positive attitude and sense of humor. Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.
This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work 2 days per week and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the LCI policies.
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.
CA residency:
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
Department Website: https://lci.ca.gov/
Special RequirementsPersons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to exert up to 15 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.
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: 1/7/2026Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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).
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:
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
Attn: HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
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.
- School Transcripts
Working Conditions
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to exert up to 15 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.
Contact InformationThe 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:https://lci.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Yucary Padilla
(916) 758-0579
yucary.padilla@lci.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Matt Read
(916) 322-4785
matt.read@lci.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:Alanna Dayton
(279) 228-3940
alanna.dayton@lci.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.
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. BenefitsThere 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:
- Pension through CALPERS
- Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Medical benefits into retirement
- Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
- Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
- School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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