Senior Hearing Officer

This is a new classification to be established by City Council on May 6, 2024 with an anticipated annual salary range of $144,000 - $180,000.

The City of Pasadena seeks a seasoned and impartial Senior Hearing Officer to lead the Hearings Division within the newly established Rent Stabilization Department.

The key responsibilities for this role include:

• Plans, organizes, and conducts arbitration hearings and renders written decisions regarding tenant and landlord petitions.

• Lead the Hearings Division to develop and maintain best practices for efficient and fair hearings.

• Involved in recommending and implementing policy changes to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board.

• Researches, analyzes, and recommends changes in department policies and procedures.

The division is anticipated to grow to four staff members, including the Senior Hearing Officer.

The ideal candidateis a legal professional with extensive experience presiding over complex hearings, possess strong leadership qualities to guide a team, exceptional level of analytical and decision-making skills, and impartiality to ensure fair and balanced outcomes. As this is a newly established division in a Department that was created in December 2023, the ideal candidate will be responsible for establishing the role of the Hearing Officer and implementing processes and procedures to fulfill the obligations of the rent stabilization program.

Essential Functions

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

• Reviews all decisions for legal consistency and legal defensibility.

• Supervises Hearing Officers.

• Conducts performance evaluations and recommend disciplinary actions as necessary.

• Assigns, reviews, and coordinates the work of Hearing Officers.

• Conducts Pasadena Rental Housing Board (PRHB) hearings and mediation sessions.

• Coordinates and participates in training for Hearing Officers and unit staff regarding local laws and regulations, and their interaction with state and federal law.

• Responds to technical questions from Hearing Officers and other department staff.

• Advises department director regarding revisions to the Charter and rules and procedures.

• Provides technical assistance to the department director in response to requests for information from the PRHB, City Council and City management as needed.

Qualification Guidelines

COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Legal & Regulatory Navigation

• Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

• Critical Thinking

• Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.

• Decision Making

• Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.

• Attention to Detail- Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.

• Leadership- Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduate Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law.

• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing attorney or other comparable experience with three years of progressively responsible experience as a Hearing Officer.

• Experience conducting mediations is highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, interview panel, and department-level interviews.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy in the Rent Stabilization Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one year probationary work period.

Special Requirements

Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.