Human Services Hearing Officer (Departmental Promotional Only)

Job Description:

Human Services Hearing Officer (Departmental Promotional Only)

Description

Description
The Human Services Agency is seeking a Human Services Hearings Officer. Under general supervision, the incumbent will review and investigate appeals and complaints from clients involving social services programs; conduct evidentiary hearings and write formal decisions; represent the Human Services Agency on appeal and complaint matters; prepare and present the County's case at State and County hearings; and perform related work as required. The incumbent represents the County in State hearings in all Department of Social Services programs and in Department of Health cases. A Hearing Officer also acts as the arbitrator in County programs and the Civil Rights investigations for client Civil Rights complaints.

The ideal candidate will have 3 years of experience in programmatic experience in a human services or related program; knowledge of Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS and General Assistance programs and regulations; possess excellent interpersonal skills; excellent written and oral communication skills; strength in analyzing policies and regulations; and the ability to work independently.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review and investigate appealed actions and case records for facts and points of law, and submit effective recommendations.
• Re-evaluate County's decision for categorical aid and service programs; determine if County's action was in compliance with State statutes and regulations.
• Investigate feasibility of pre-hearing settlements and provide recommendation to resolve appeals and complaints.
• Investigate customer complaints of discriminatory conduct, conduct evidentiary interviews, and submit findings and conclusions to the State Civil Rights Bureau.
• Represent the Human Services Agency at State hearings and present oral arguments during the hearing; defend Agency's interpretation of regulations and provide legally binding stipulations.
• Prepare written Statement of Position; prepare witnesses and order subpoenas for hearings.
• Act as hearing officer in evidentiary and grievance hearings for the department and other agencies.
• Train department staff on hearing processes and client Civil Rights.
• Maintain hearing records and prepare written decisions.
• Support, assist and guide workers in difficult situations, including contact with distraught customers.
• Inform staff on corrective actions to be taken on appeal and complaint matters.
• Foresee and implement change.
• Represent the Agency and maintain liaison with the State, contractors, elected and appointed officials and other organizations.
• Research, collect and analyze information, draw sound conclusions and prepare effective recommendations.
• Prepare a variety of special and periodic reports.
• May provide lead work to staff.

NOTE: This list may be used to fill future vacancies.
Qualifications
Department Status : An applicant must be a current Human Services Agency employee with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term position prior to the recruitment closing date.

Knowledge of:

• The laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of a public welfare agency, which includes client rights to review agency actions.
• Principles and practices of the specific program areas to which assigned.
• Administrative procedures relating to administrative hearing processes, evidentiary hearings and complaints.
• Social casework principles and techniques.
• Principle and regulations of Civil Rights.
• Functions of public social services and agencies and the interrelationships of the various disciplines in the human services field.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations and County and program policies and guidelines related to the program area.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Principles of human dynamics as related to client services.

Skill/Ability to:

• Interpret and apply complex laws and regulations.
• Review and investigate appeals and complaints for facts and points of law.
• Present a position statement and argument clearly and logically in both written and oral form.
• Train staff in Civil Rights procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors.
• Administer and coordinate human services programs; coordinate individual and group efforts.
• Re-evaluate County's decision for categorical aid and service programs.
• Conduct evidentiary interviews.
• Enter into binding stipulations in administrative hearings, when necessary.
• Plan, analyze, interpret and apply various regulations and requirements.
• Organize, manage and monitor cases and maintain accurate files, records and statistics; write and interpret reports.
• Analyze information and situations and use sound independent judgement to make decisions and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals who may be emotional, hostile or irate.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of professional-level administrative or programmatic experience in a human services or related program.
Application/Examination
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form . The examination will consist of an interview (weight 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position based solely on the information provided in the application materials. Because of this screening process, all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the 'Apply' button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Screening Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Thursday, May 7, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.


HR Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Human Services Hearings Officer - G233)

Salary:

$107,785.60 - $134,763.20 Annually