The job announcement is reposted to reflect the change in the Minimum Qualifications.

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent Exempt - This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Application Opening: October 4, 2022
Deadline to Apply: October 18, 2022
Recruitment ID: 123685

Salary: $141,492 to $180,622 annually 

Please Note: A cover letter and resume must be attached to the online application.

Established by voters in 1999, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) was created with the objective to operate and manage the San Francisco’s transportation network as a single, integrated system. The SFMTA serves as the City and County of San Francisco’s transportation planner, designer, builder and operator of the eighth largest public transit system in the United States, the Municipal Railway (Muni). The agency is governed by a seven-member board who are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors which provides policy oversight, including budgetary approval, and approves changes of fares, fees, and fines, ensuring representation of the public interest. 

The Administrative Hearing Section of the SFMTA includes a dedicated team of Hearing Officers who conduct more than 18,500 administrative hearings annually. They deal with various issues mandated by law and include the following contested matters: parking and transit violation citations, towed and booted vehicles, Safe Paths of Travel (“SPOT”) citations, citations (or administrative actions) brought against taxi and shuttle permit holders and individuals/entities operating without legally required permits. Hearings are also conducted for patrons making ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) complaints against Muni Operators.  Hearing Officers also facilitate public hearings that are conducted for proposed parking and traffic changes. 

The Manager of Administrative Hearings plans, directs and participates in the administration of the Administrative Hearing Section supervising two Administrative Hearing Supervisors and seven  Administrative Hearing Examiners (Officers) as well as two support staff.  All administrative hearings are mandated by law and include the following contested matters: parking and transit violation citations, towed and booted vehicles, disabled placard misuse, Safe Paths of Travel (“SPOT”) citations, citations (or administrative actions) brought against taxi and shuttle permit holders and individuals/entities operating without legally required permits; hearings related to the use and operation of shared bicycles and e-scooter programs, and public hearings related to tree removal proposals. Hearings are also conducted for patrons making ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) complaints against Muni Operators and public hearings are conducted for proposed parking and traffic changes. More than 18,500 administrative hearings are conducted annually. 

The Manager is responsible for developing policies and procedures for the adjudication of contested matters and acts as a liaison with other divisions and departments both within and outside the SFMTA, including the SF Superior Court, Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”), Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors. This position reports directly to the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer of the SFMTA.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties 

•    Develops and maintains policies and procedures for conducting administrative hearings on contested Agency matters to ensure the effective operation of the Section. Updates policies and procedures to comply with changes in laws, regulations and ordinances. Develops adjudication guidelines to ensure consistency, quality and timeliness of administrative hearing decisions.
•    Responsible for the allocation of staff resources to efficiently serve a constantly fluctuating level of customer service demands and achieve established service level goals (e.g. reducing wait times and timely administrative hearing decisions); ensures SFMTA hearing examiners follow established policies and procedures. 
•    Responsible for maintaining metrics for reporting performance including hearing examiner productivity, hearing statistics and hearing examiner caseloads. Prepares regular reports for management, identifying areas for improvement in the organization and recommending solutions to address them.
•    Interacts with various city staff and officials from outside agencies. Explains and justifies administrative procedures, resolves difficult issues. As the liaison, the position communicates effectively and maintains credible and positive working relationships with the SFPD, Mayor’s Offices, Board of Supervisors, DMV, and SF Superior Court. 
•    Establishes formal training programs related to the hearing process, including conflict management, de-escalation, avoiding violence in the workplace, due process standards, diversity and cultural biases and DMV training. Mentors, coaches and develops staff to handle new and different hearings and stay abreast of changes in the law and Agency policies and procedures.
•    Regularly evaluates business processes for improvements and implements changes as needed to improve efficiencies.
•    Drafts and/or reviews proposed legislation for the San Francisco Transportation and California Vehicle Codes. Keeps Agency abreast of legislation affecting Agency matters.
•    Coordinates work activities with other Divisions/Sections including Taxi and Mobility Services, Streets Division including Parking Enforcement, Security to improve services. 
•    Interfaces with the public on contested matters and handles sensitive customer issues referred by the Board of Supervisors and Mayor’s offices, as well as referrals by state and federal officials.
•    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 
1.      Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and

2.      Six (6) years verifiable full-time experience in conducting mediations, arbitrations, or administrative hearings; and

3.      Three (3) years verifiable full-time experience managing and/or supervising staff responsible for conducting mediations, arbitrations, or administrative hearings.

Substitution:

Additional experience conducting mediations, arbitrations, or administrative hearings may be substituted for the required education in Minimum Qualification on a year-for-year basis. One year (2000 hours) of qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to 30 semester units/45 quarter units.

Notes:
1. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

2. One (1) year full-time experience is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

•    Ability to analyze and interpret codes, statutes and regulations and apply the facts of each case to the law and reach a sound legal conclusion; draft legal decisions that are cogent and supported by the evidence.
•    Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university, or is licensed to practice law in one of the United States.
•    Training in mediation and/or conflict resolution.
•    Knowledge of organizational efficiency principles and practices, and ability to analyze current business practices and recommend improvements and improved efficiencies to reduce costs and enhance the customer experience.
•    Demonstrated experience supervising, motivating, and evaluating staff.
•    Skilled in identifying problems and formulating and implementing effective solutions to complex issues and problems.
•    Ability to take the initiative while using tact, discretion, diplomacy, and knowledge of the political environment in dealing with sensitive situations.
•    Ability to establish and maintain working and effective relationships with governmental officials, SFMTA staff and members of other departments, and outside agencies.
•    Knowledge of organizational principles and practices, administrative techniques and personnel management.
•    Ability to present complex facts and data clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
•    Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, determine priorities aligned with those of the organization, and work independently.
•    Ability to direct subordinate supervisors engaged in diverse activities, and to provide feedback and coaching on performance.
•    Possession of professional integrity and ethics and demonstrated experience being fair and impartial.
•    Demonstration of good judgment and sensitivity in response to the public and explain regulatory and legislative issues clearly and succinctly to lay persons.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection Process:

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience.  Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

•    Information About the Hiring Process
•    Conviction History
•    Employee Benefits Overview
•    Equal Employment Opportunity
•    Disaster Service Worker
•    ADA Accommodation
•    Right to Work
•    Copies of Application Documents
•    Diversity Statement

For questions or inquiries, please contact the analyst, Tracy Pon at [email protected].

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.