Amber Dobson

Experience

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  University of California

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2010

  Office Manager

  Supervised up to 20 students: Interviewed students, trained students in data entry, assigned tasks, evaluated student work, and conducted performance reviews annually.Organized the CA Digital Newspaper database conference, 2010. Managed accounts payable and receivable and office budgets.Established data bases and managed data entry tasks.Produced financial reports and edited grant proposals.Front office communications, answered phones and responded to emails.Website development. Show less

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  City of Riverside

  Jan 2011 - Apr 2011

  Environmental Intern

  Prepared an ecological report on the Santa Ana River in Riverside for city council and the Mayor’s office. Report included information regarding threatened wildlife species, invasive vegetation control and the preservation of the native riparian habitat.Surveyed the Santa Ana River and Trail.Conducted research and compiled data.

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  South Coast Air Quality Management District

  Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  Climate Change Intern

  Coordinated the Tree Planting Partnership Program with various city managers in South Coast Air Basin. Modeled and projected CO2 sequestration rates for each approved tree species in excel using formulas. Assisted with the research, data, and development of the AQMD Energy Policy.

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  Santa Ana River Trust/ Riverside Land Conservancy

  Nov 2011 - Dec 2013

  Programs Director

  The Santa Ana River Trust is concerned with balancing the ecological sensitivity of the Santa Ana River, in the city of Riverside and beyond, with the support of the surrounding communities in a way that fosters the health of both. The main goal of Trust is to promote citizen stewardship of the river and trail by raising awareness and increasing usage. The Trust has organized community events surrounding the river, create a venue for open discussion, and to physically improve the usability of the trail, and surrounding parks, for all. At the Trust, I managed large projects and organizing cohesive concepts across multiple organizations, such as city government, regulatory agencies, non-profit groups, and community organizations. I prepared several grant applications, final reports, and budgets for the Trust and for our grant partnerships with similar organizations. I organized the Santa Ana River Trust Workshop to raise awareness and to gain feedback from the community about potential projects. Show less

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  California Coastal Commission

  Dec 2013 - May 2022

  Manage the South Coast District staff including planners, interns, district supervisors, administrative staffmembers, and provide oversight and support for 5 statewide analysts and the South Coast Enforcement division housed in the South Coast office in Long Beach, CA. Communicate policy decisions and recommendations to the Deputy Directors and the Executive Director. Assist supervisors and planners in developing recommendations, permit conditions of approval, and reviewing LCP amendments. Personally review and edit all LCP policy language proposed for most Orange Countyjurisdictions and several Los Angeles County jurisdictions. Coordinate with Statewide planning staff, the legal division, and other districts for consistency. Collaborate with City and County Government staff, Community Development and Public Works departments, and Zoning administrators on critical policy language, interpretation, and implementation through Local Coastal Programs (LCP). Assist City and County government staff with planning and regulation challenges, such as appeals or complex coastal development permit applications or preparation of complex LCP amendments. Present directly to the Coastal Commissioners during public hearings and occasionally present to the public at LCP scoping meetings and legal and planning conferences regarding recommendations and Coastal Act orLCP policies and regulations. Show less Analyze development projects for consistency with the Coastal Act to protect coastal resources, public access, and environmentally sensitive areas. Build collaborative working relationships with local government staff in development of LCP policies and coastal zoning. Analyze environmental impacts and public access impacts of development projects in the Coastal Zone of Southern California. Work tasks include: reviewing CEQA documents and composing comment letters, geology reports, biological reports, coastal hazards reports; reviewing development plans for consistency with local zoning plans, local coastal programs, and the California Coastal Act.Prepare staff recommendations and develop detailed staff reports. Engage members of the public during public comment, advise permit applicants of the recommendation and their potential options, meet with project appellants and review City and County approvals for consistency with state law and state plans, present projects to the public and to the Commissioners at public hearings. Encourage applicants and local governments to incorporate adaptive plans for critical emerging planning issues such as sea level rise, erosion, public transportation, increased density and open space preservation. Comment on and contribute to development of state-wide policies. Show less

  • District Manager for the South Coast District

    May 2019 - May 2022

  • District Supervisor

    Jul 2018 - Apr 2019

  • Planner

    Dec 2013 - Jun 2018
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  City of Laguna Beach

  May 2022 - Jun 2024

  Planning Manager

  Manage a team of planners and technical staff members, and function as the Planning Commission Liaison. Communicate policy recommendations and issues to the Community Development Director. Take the direction of the Community Development Director and implement the vision through goals, policies and procedures. Manage comprehensive updates to the General Plan and Zoning Code, Local Coastal Plan amendments, and create long-range plans. Work closely with Senior planners on large, complex or especially sensitive development applications and General Plan amendments and code updates before the Planning Commission and City Council. Make CEQA determinations, Initial Study preparation, Tribal Consultations, and legally defensible mitigation measures. Coordinate with local working groups, key stakeholders, County Government, the Coastal Commission, and other agencies on amendments, appeals, etc. Personally present projects to the Planning Commission, Housing and Human Services Committee, View Restoration Committee and the Design Review Board, as needed. Assist with open-dialogue meetings between staff and key stakeholders in the Community and facilitate public workshops. Assist customers with Economic Development tasks. Collect data and prepare reports for the Director and for the public. Monitor and ensure City compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, and guidelines. Show less

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  California Coastal Commission

  Jul 2024 - now

  District Supervisor