Part-Time Hearings Officer

Full Job Description

City of Portland Office of the Auditor is seeking applicants for a Part-Time Hearings Officer.

The City Auditor’s Office is seeking a fair-minded, experienced administrative hearings professional to conduct quasi-judicial 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 Auditor’s Office, which provides administrative support and a neutral base from which to make its decisions, which are subject to appellate review.

This position is an appointment for a Hearings Officer to work up to 20 hours per week.

As an elected official in the City of Portland, the Auditor is independent of City Council and accountable only to the public.

The Auditor’s 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.

This position reports directly to the Chief Hearings Officer (CHO).

The Hearings Officer is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the Chief Hearings Officer’s long-term vision, mission, and strategy.

The Hearings Officer conducts hearings across all the different case types and issues written decisions in these cases.

The Hearings Officer is also responsible for assisting in the implementation of the department’s equity goals. In addition, the Hearings Officer will assist in the CHO’s outreach strategies.

This position will also support training for new staff and will provide additional Hearings Officer coverage for the office when the CHO or other Hearings Officer is unavailable or on leave.

Responsibilities of the Hearings Officer include:

• Conducting hearings
• Writing decisions
• Recommending updates to policy, standard operating procedures, and City Code
• Conducting outreach to stakeholders, as assigned by the CHO
• Assisting in implementation of the Hearings Office’s equity goals
• Supporting training for new staff and providing additional Hearings Officer coverage when the CHO or other Hearings Officer is unavailable or on leave
• Research and other special projects
• Exercising sound judgment and tact in dealing with the public
• Communicating orally and in writing to stakeholders.

Successful candidates will have:

• Knowledge of City Code and Charter provisions, federal, state, and local laws, court decisions, and other legal requirements relevant to conducting quasi-judicial administrative hearings, including findings of fact and conclusions of law
• Ability to conduct quasi-judicial 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers and staff, elected officials, representatives of other government agencies, and others; demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and patience; gain cooperation through discussion and collaboration
• Ability to facilitate inclusive participation of communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented in local decision-making; communicate cross-culturally
• Ability to work in a diverse environment and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex services

The Auditor’s 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.

Requirements

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 City’s hearing process (for example, as an administrative law judge or otherwise).

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 meet the following qualifications:

1. A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and be an active attorney with membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar

2. 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 City’s hearing process (for example, as an administrative law judge or otherwise)

3. Knowledge of City Code and Charter provisions, federal, state, and local laws, court decisions, and other legal requirements relevant to conducting quasi-judicial administrative hearings, including findings of fact and conclusions of law

4. Ability to conduct quasi-judicial administrative hearings in a highly professional manner

5. Ability to render findings and determinations on cases heard based on neutral consideration of the issues, sound legal reasoning, and good judgment.

(3) Legal writing sample

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

Qualifications

Applicants must submit their application materials through the City of Portland's online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.

Emailed, mailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Your application materials should not exceed a total of five pages. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Application period: 2/23/2026 – 3/9/2026

Applications reviewed: 3/10/2026 – 3/16/2026

First interviews: 3/23/2026 – 4/3/2026

Second interviews: 4/6/2026 – 4/17/2026

Job offer: 4/20/2026

Additional Information

Salary range/Pay equity: Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, individual salaries are determined based on the experience and education listed in a candidate’s 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.

Represented status: This classification is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 189 – Auditor’s Office, view the agreement at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/27840.

Language pay differential: Auditor’s 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 long-term 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 Portland's benefits here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/60196

Civil 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 Auditor’s Office, City Charter, and Code.

Work status: Non-citizen 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 Auditor’s Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work, with employees expected to work half-time in-person.

Veteran’s preference: If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable), as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran.

You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for.

Veteran's 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 source of income.

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 arianna.gazca@portlandoregon.gov.

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 arianna.gazca@portlandoregon.gov.

For more information about the Auditor’s Office: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/

For more information about the Hearings Office: https://portlandoregon.gov/hearings