Job Abstract

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Housing and Community Development Department?
The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is dedicated to improving Oakland’s neighborhoods and making sure that all Oaklanders have safe and affordable housing. The Rent Adjustment Program (RAP) is an integral component of HCD and seeks to promote community stability, healthy housing, and diversity for Oakland residents, while preventing illegal rent increases and evictions and ensuring a fair return for property owners.

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced attorney with sound judgment.
• An adjudicator who works well with both represented and unpresented parties.
• A strong communicator in both oral and written formats.
• Proficient in technology, including Zoom, Adobe, Outlook, and various databases
• Able to handle a full caseload and meet deadlines.
• A team player who works well with all levels of staff.
• Skilled in integrating statutory and case law updates into their work; proficient in arithmetic calculations; highly detail-oriented.

• Presiding over hearings (currently remotely but potentially in person), limiting issues and evidence; making rulings on scheduling.
• Promptly preparing clear legal decisions with sound reasoning, including factual summaries, legal conclusions, and sometimes complex calculations.
• Conducting mediations on a variety of owner-tenant disputes.
• Issuing pre-hearing Orders and rulings on procedural matters.
• Keeping case database and case files updated.
• Responding to questions and/or remands from the Housing Rent and Relocation Board.
• Working with case analyst and other support staff regarding any case-related matters.
• Proofreading other Hearing Officer decisions on an as-needed basis and as assigned by the Senior Hearing Officer.
• Reviewing case files including petitions, responding to attachments and performing legal analysis to determine issues to be adjudicated at hearing.
• Performing legal research and analysis to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents to facts presented in cases.
• Revising program documents and carrying out other related administrative functions.

• You will play an important role - dealing with weighty landlord/tenant issues.
• You will play a meaningful role - upholding a crucial Ordinance through the Hearing process
• You will assist owners and tenants in mediating disputes/settling conflicts
• You will work with support staff who are very service-minded and responsive

• Balancing a high volume of cases while meeting tight deadlines
• Managing expectations about the scope of your authority
• Maintaining a perception of neutrality despite accusations of bias

• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable:

Education:

Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law.

Experience:

Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing attorney or other comparable experience. Experience conducting hearings and mediations highly desirable.

The Recruitment Process:


The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.
Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise and be required to submit a legal writing sample, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date for this will be in August 2024.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.