Municipal Hearing Officer bei City of Somerville

Statement of Duties

The Municipal Hearing Officer oversees the city’s non-criminal tickets appeal process and acts as the hearing officer for the adjudication of tickets through a fair, complete and customer friendly process. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

• Schedules and conducts hearings to determine the validity of tickets and records all findings.
• Analyzes and researches relevant information to inform decision making, including determining if a hearing is required.
• Applies knowledge of the City of Somerville ordinances, policies, and procedures in the interpretation and disposition of cases.
• Reviews case materials, including tickets, photographs, reports, and relevant documentation, to prepare for and adjudicate hearings fairly and impartially.
• Utilizes the Citizenserve software platform to manage case files, schedule hearings, record decisions, and maintain accurate records of hearing outcomes.
• Provides excellent customer service by responding to public inquiries via mail, email, or telephone with professionalism, patience, and clarity; explains hearing procedures and outcomes in a respectful and accessible manner.
• Remains current with changes in local ordinances, state laws, and administrative hearing procedures.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Law, or a related field. Three to five (3–5) years of professional experience in a related field such as administrative law, municipal code enforcement, regulatory compliance; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Experience working in a municipal or government setting is desirable. Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

Knowledge: Working knowledge of municipal operations; comprehensive knowledge of city ordinances, rules, and regulations as it relates to non-criminal violations; thorough working knowledge of office procedures; knowledge of municipal government; knowledge of Zoom and running Zoom meetings. Knowledge of the geography and culture of Somerville.

Abilities: Ability to meet and deal with the public effectively and appropriately; ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; ability to operate a computer; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including members of the public, City personnel, and community stakeholders.

Skills: Excellent organizational skills; excellent analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate evidence, interpret ordinances, and issue fair decisions; excellent data processing skills in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and specialized applications. Skilled in customer service and de-escalation techniques, particularly in high-stress or emotionally charged situations. Research, project planning, and attention to detail.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surrounding may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening hearings.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Requirements

Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There

may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.).

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes.

Hours:
Salary: 
Union: Non-Union 
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: September 8th, 2025