Hearing Officer I
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Hearing Officer I
Salary
$120,228.00 - $148,428.00 Annually
Location
City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
266200-01
Department
Rent Control
Division
Hearings
Opening Date
04/06/2026
Closing Date
4/16/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Summary
On behalf of the City's Rent Control Board, the Hearing Officer I conducts administrative hearings dealing with tenant or landlord petitions for relief under the Santa Monica Rent Control Law. Prepares detailed written decisions based on evidence received at administrative hearings. Conducts legal research and facilitates pre-hearing mediations and prepares settlement agreements.
*The Santa Monica Rent Control Agency seeks a Hearing Officer. The Agency administers the Rent Control Law by carrying out its goals of controlling residential rents, limiting the grounds for eviction, preserving rental housing, encouraging property maintenance, and ensuring rental property owners a fair return. The Hearings Department holds hearings on petitions for rent adjustments, rent overcharges, compliance with registration requirements, determination of base rents and amenities, and applications for exemptions from Rent Control Law. Rent Control Hearing Officers conduct administrative hearings on petitions brought by tenants for landlords under the Rent Control Law and applicable state law. The department also has an effective mediation program, resolving many disputes without the need for a hearing. Hearing Officers also serve as mediators in matters for which they are not assigned Hearing Officer.
Representative Duties
Responsible for conducting routine administrative hearings, and may assist with more complex matters.
Prepares routine matters for hearing; reviews all relevant documents; anticipates and identifies potential issues and problems.
Issues subpoenas.
Instructs participants in hearings concerning their rights and applicable hearing procedures.
May personally inspect or order the inspection of premises that are subject of hearings.
Conducts administrative hearings in a fair, impartial, courteous and professional manner.
Rules on substantive and evidentiary motions; verifies documents and exhibits; renders credibility determinations.
Summarizes testimony; reviews and analyzes documentary evidence, investigative reports, numerical and statistical data, transcripts and oral testimony; interprets complex statutes, policies and procedural guidelines.
Conducts legal research; applies relevant state and local laws and regulations to the evidence; assists with more complex matters as needed.
Produces written decisions on behalf of the Rent Control Board that reflect the proper relationship between the evidence, findings and ultimate decision, as required under the standards of judicial review of administrative decisions.
Facilitates mediation conferences for less complex matters, and may assist or handle with oversight, more complex matters.
Drafts contracts in settlement of disputes resolved at mediation conferences.
Coordinates with other departments of the Rent Control Board and the City.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Requirements
Knowledge of:
Administrative or other evidentiary hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
Mediation procedures and techniques.
Relevant federal, state and local laws and regulations related to rent control, housing, landlord/tenant, municipal, or administrative law.
Legal research techniques, methods and procedure.
Effective customer service techniques.
Conventions of written English, including proper grammar, syntax and punctuation.
Ability to:
Interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and procedures concerning housing and rent control.
Analyze and draw logical conclusions from and apply legal principles to documentary evidence and oral testimony, forming the basis for a defensible legal conclusion.
Impartially consider evidence and determine facts.
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Conduct hearings and mediation conferences with skill and tact.
Evaluate credibility of parties and witnesses.
Understand and interpret numerical and statistical data.
Draft effective contracts in settlement of disputes.
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with all segments of the public and other City departments.
Write clearly, concisely and effectively.
Work collaboratively with other staff members.
Provide effective customer service.
Skill in:
Dealing effectively with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds, using tact and discretion.
The use of personal computers and applicable software applications.
Education, Training and Experience:
Juris Doctor or equivalent from an accredited law school.
Three years of recent, paid professional legal experience conducting or participating in administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences or similar evidentiary proceedings in the areas of civil, municipal, landlord/tenant, or administrative law. Experience must have included drafting complex, analytical legal documents in a professional legal setting.
One year experience in drafting settlement agreements, and interpreting and/or implementing rent control, landlord/tenant, housing, or land-use laws, or similar experience, and completion of at least twenty-five hours of mediation training is desirable.
License and Certificates:
Membership in the California State Bar
Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must file a clear, concise, completed online City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
NOTE: You must upload a copy of your Juris Doctor to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of Juris Doctor from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the position filing deadline. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.
SELECTION PROCESS: All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding their work history and qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Testing may consist of the following:
Oral Interview: 100%
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our employees are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces and diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for person with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
NOTE: If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed primarily indoors in an office environment with frequent interruptions. Office work requires sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard and screen. Must be occasionally available to work evenings and/or weekends for Rent Control Board meetings and for special assignments.
