Job Posting: Director of External Affairs

State Coastal Conservancy

JC-519852
-
Director of External Affairs
SUPERVISOR I

$7,172.00 - $8,910.00 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: 6/7/2026

Job Description and Duties

Love the California coast?  This might be the job for you!"

The State Coastal Conservancy 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.

The position is located in Oakland, CA.

Under general direction of the Deputy Executive Officer and the Executive Officer, the Supervisor I is Director of External Affairs for SCC. The Supervisor I oversees the work of the Conservancy’s board clerk duties, the equity and tribal liaison duties, public relations for target audiences, website and social media, Public Records Act coordination, and Legislative matters with a high degree of independence.  

In order to be eligible for this position, candidates must have taken the Supervisor I online exam within the past 12 months. Please make sure to read the exam(s) bulletin before taking the exam:

Take the online Supervisor I exam to become list eligible for this position.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page  for additional information.

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

Working Conditions

  • This position may be eligible for teleworking opportunities in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least two (2) days per week. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.
  • Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions 3% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
  • A computer for teleworking will be provided.
  • Work hours are Monday through Friday, eight hours per day. Prolonged periods of sitting (or standing, if preferred) are expected.
  • Position requires repetitive movements and physical activity in the performance of daily certain duties.
  • Work on a computer up to 8 hours a day.
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds with accommodation as needed.
  • Indoor work is common, although outdoor work may be necessary.
  • May require an employee to work in adversarial situations.
  • Multitask, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities in a cooperative manner.
  • Travel by car or plane, with overnight stays necessary on occasion as necessary.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-519852
Position #(s):
536-100-4800-XXX
Working Title:
Director of External Affairs
Classification:
SUPERVISOR I
$7,172.00 - $8,910.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Alameda County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Coastal Conservancy is a state agency that undertakes and supports projects to protect, restore and enhance coastal resources, promote resilience to climate change impacts, and increase opportunities for the public to enjoy the coast. The Conservancy works along the entire length of California’s coast and within the watersheds of rivers and streams that extend inland from the coast. The Conservancy also works throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area and the entire Santa Ana River watershed. The Conservancy awards and oversees grants to local governments, other state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribes, using various types of funding, including bond funds, federal funds, and mitigation fees. The Conservancy is a small agency of 81 dedicated, experienced employees who work collaboratively and creatively to achieve the Conservancy’s mission. The Conservancy office is located in Oakland, California, near 12th Street BART.

Special Requirements

Important Applications Instructions:

  • If you're new to the state application process, please visit 3 Steps to a State Job.
  • The State application (STD 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. The Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Please refer to the resource: Work for California Resource: State Application Checklist
  • A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section below for more information. Please refer to the resource: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications
  • Copy of diploma and/or transcripts (official/unofficial) required.
  • Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

Applications received without ALL of these required items listed above will not receive further consideration for this position. 

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: 6/7/2026

Who 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).

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:

State Coastal Conservancy
Inge Sorensen
Attn: Inge Sorensen
1515 Clay Street, Floor 10
Oakland, CA 94612

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Coastal Conservancy
Inge Sorensen
Inge Sorensen
1515 Clay Street, Floor 10
Oakland, CA 94612
Tuesday and Wednesday
08:00 AM - 04:00 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Please see "Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) and Instructions" section below for more information.

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:
  • Ability to plan, write, edit, and prepare complicated information material for dissemination through all major means of communication; ability to disseminate such information through appropriate channels.
  • Ability to prepare replies to difficult and complicated correspondence, including letters for signature by executive staff.
  • Training or experience in management or public administration, including budgeting skills.
  • Ability to manage and motivate teams of people.
  • Ability to act as spokesperson for the Coastal Conservancy before public groups, to the news media, and to individuals who inquire regarding the Coastal Conservancy activities.
  • Ability to arrange participation of agency staff as speakers before public groups, or on radio, television, or other media programs.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with elected officials.
  • Self-motivated.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds, which may involve some exposure to adversarial conditions.
  • Work proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook); Social Media Platforms, Adobe InDesign, and WordPress.
  • Possess a valid California Drivers’ License (Class C).

Benefits

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

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://scc.ca.gov/about/about-us/
Human Resources Contact:
Cindy Chen
(510) 286-0552
cindy.chen@scc.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:
Helen Kang
(510) 286-4349
helen.kang@scc.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.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) and Instructions

Answers are limited to the attached pages, no more than two (2) pages with a minimum 12-point font. If your responses to the four (4) questions are greater than two (2) pages, only the first two (2) pages will be reviewed.

Question 1: Describe your experience planning and implementing public outreach programs. What are some principles and strategies you apply to this work

Question 2: Describe your experience working on media and public relation issues, specifically describing your role and any lessons learned.

Question 3: Describe your experience working with elected officials and describe your experience with legislative processes.

Question 4: Describe your experience facilitating, coordinating, or leading teams of people. How do you handle conflicting perspectives and interests?

Additional Information

  • Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

  • Click on the link to complete the State Coastal Conservancy Recruitment Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCChiring
  • Preference will be given to people with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.
  • Candidates who have eligibility in State employment, in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.  Training and Development (T&D) assignments may be considered.
  • You must meet the minimum qualifications of the Supervisor I or have transfer or reinstatement eligibility to this classification.
  • This advertisement will be used for this and other permanent and/or limited term vacancies that may occur at the State Coastal Conservancy during the life of the certification list.
  • If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks from the final file date, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

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