Chief Hearings Officer

The City Auditors Office is seeking a fairminded experienced administrative hearings professional to lead the Hearings Office: conducting impartial hearings issuing wellreasoned decisions and managing division operations. The Chief Hearings Officer acts on behalf of City Council under the Auditors independent authority to conduct quasijudicial administrative hearings and render impartial decisions related to code enforcement land use vehicle tows appeals and other types of cases. Hearings is a division of the City Auditors Office which provides administrative support and a neutral base from which to make its decisions which are subject to appellate review.

As an elected official in the City of Portland the Auditor is independent of City Council and the Mayor and accountable only to the public. The Auditors Office ensures open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations access to public information and services to City government and the public. It employs nearly 50 people across seven divisions.

The Chief Hearings Officer reports to the Chief Deputy City Auditor. In addition to hearing cases and preparing written decisions the Chief Hearings Officer manages a small team. Hearings is staffed by two fulltime administrative clerks and two parttime Hearings Officers. The Chief Hearings Officer may assign cases to rotating contracted Hearings Officers when outside assistance is needed to manage caseloads conflicts or provide landuse expertise. The Chief Hearings Officer sits on the Auditors Office management team contributes to Officewide initiatives and complies with Officewide expectations and procedures such as records retention responsibilities.

Responsibilities of the Chief Hearings Officer include:

• Overseeing Hearings lead its operations uphold its independence from the City and ensure alignment with the Auditors Offices mission and objectives.
• Conducting quasijudicial hearings schedule and regulate proceedings and ensure fairness and due process for all parties.
• Issuing written decisions draft and publish legally sound rulings and ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards.
• Managing staff and division operations supervise personnel provide coaching and oversee performance evaluations.
• Engaging with stakeholders respond to inquiries from elected officials City staff outside agencies and the public about hearings.
• Providing public education train City staff and community members on the hearings process and administrative law.
• Serving as a public representative act as a media liaison deliver presentations and participate in community outreach consistent with the Auditors Office plans.

Successful candidates may have experience as a practicing attorney lawyer or administrative law judge and will have:

• Extensive knowledge of City Code and Charter provisions federal state and local laws court decisions and other legal requirements relevant to conducting quasijudicial administrative hearings including rules of evidence and the determination of findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of land use planning and implementation land development processes and provisions of local state and federal law establishing private rights in real property.
• Knowledge of the purpose function and the provisions of the Citys Municipal Codes.
• Advanced knowledge of principles of management supervision training and performance evaluation.
• Ability to conduct quasijudicial administrative hearings in a highly professional manner.
• Ability to review and comprehend legal documents follow complex oral and written arguments and identify key issues.
• Ability to render findings and determinations on cases heard based on neutral consideration of the issues sound legal reasoning and good judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team of professionals by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships contributing to shared goals valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a respectful cooperative and solutionoriented team environment.

The Auditors Office values a diverse workforce and a culture of equity and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Office encourages candidates with experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply.

Candidates must have at a minimum any combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and be an active attorney with membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar;
• Five 5 years of progressively responsible experience conducting or assisting with conducting administrative hearings or other contested cases or adjudicating matters in areas applicable to the Citys hearing process (for example as an administrative law judge or otherwise).

Preferred qualifications:

• Two 2 or more years supervisory or program management experience.

TO APPLY:

Submit three documents:

1 A resume

List professional and relevant volunteer experience; education and training; and the time periods for each. If you speak more than one language or have specialized skills please list them.

2 Cover letter

In your cover letter you should specifically address and demonstrate how your education training and experience meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

1. A juris doctor from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar
2. Five years of progressively responsible experience conducting or participating in quasijudicial administrative hearings or contested cases
3. Extensive knowledge of City Code and Charter provisions federal and state laws court decisions and other legal requirements relevant to conducting quasijudicial administrative hearings
4. Knowledge of administrative law specifically as it relates to the hearings process rules of evidence findings of fact and conclusions of law
5. Ability to render findings and determinations on cases heard based on neutral consideration of the issues sound legal reasoning and good judgment.
6. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; provide clear explanations of complex principles.
7. Management skills necessary to oversee the operations of a small office and supervise staff

3 Legal writing sample

Submit a legal writing sample suitable for assessing your analytical and writing ability.

Applicants must submit their resume and responses to supplemental questions through the City of Portlands online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Emailed mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline(subject to change)

Application period: 4/14/2025 5/5/2025

Applications reviewed: 5/6/2025 5/9/2025

First interviews: 5/12/2025 5/16/2025

Second interviews: 5/19/2025 5/23/2025

Job offer: 5/30/2025

Salary range/Pay equity:Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law individual salaries are determined based on the experience and education listed in a candidates resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure an offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.

Language pay differential: Auditors Office employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English may be eligible to receive additional compensation if they qualify and use their language skills to assist the community.

Employee benefits:The City of Portland is committed to offering medical dental vision basic life and longterm disability coverage that provides quality care support and value to eligible employees and their family members. Additional benefits such as flexible spending accounts supplemental life insurance and employee assistance program coverage are available to ensure employees have the appropriate tools to safeguard themselves and their family. The City of Portland participates in PERS the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System. Find more information on the City of Portlands benefits here: Service:This position is in the Classified Service and subject to Civil Service provisions. It also is subject to the Human Resources Administrative Rules for the Auditors Office City Charter and Code.

Work status: Noncitizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Work location: The position is based in the 1900 Building at 1900 SW Fourth Avenue Portland OR 97201. The Auditors Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of inperson and remote work with employees expected to work halftime inperson.

Veterans preference: If you are requesting Veterans Preference attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable) as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for. Veterans Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

Equal employment opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race religion color sex marital status family status national origin age mental or physical disability protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or . The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

Disability Pregnancy and Religious Accommodations:If you identify as a person with a disability are pregnant or nursing or observe a religious practice(s) and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job contact Administrative Specialist Arianna Gazca at .

Technical assistance: If you have questions about how to apply or require any assistance in submitting your application please contact Administrative Specialist Arianna Gazca at .

For more information about the Auditors Office: Experience:

Chief