Municipal Hearing Officer

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: This is a part-time position that is not eligible for benefits. About 20 hours/month. Flexible scheduling; position can be completed fully remote, using Zoom or Microsoft Teams for hearings. 
Salary: $11,703.16 annual. Salary is paid monthly at $975.26.
Union: Non-Union 
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Date Posted: September 8th, 2025 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union.
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.