The Township of Guelph/Eramosa is The Township of Guelph/Eramosa is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the contracted position of Hearing Officer to adjudicate appeals related to the Township's Administrative Penalty System (APS) and municipal by-laws.
Appointed by Council pursuant to Ontario Regulation 333/07, the Hearing Officer serves as an independent adjudicator and provides a second, impartial, and final decision in the APS appeal process. The Hearing Officer reviews decisions made by Screening Officers regarding administrative penalties issued under Township by-laws and determines whether those decisions should be affirmed, varied, or cancelled. The successful candidate will possess knowledge of municipal law, administrative justice principles, and adjudicative processes. The role involves conducting fair and impartial hearings and issuing written decisions on appeals of Penalty Notices issued under all Township by-laws.
Appointments are made for the current term of Council. Individuals appointed during a Council term will serve for the remainder of that term. Unless revoked, appointments will continue until the individual is reappointed or a successor is appointed.
The Hearing Officer is retained as an independent contractor and is not an employee of the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Hearing Officer will be responsible for:
- Making rulings and issuing oral and written decisions relating to the Administrative Penalty System (APS) By-law that are independent and free from outside influence, including affirming, varying, or cancelling administrative penalties and/or extending the time to pay administrative penalties;
- Reviewing case documentation in accordance with the APS By-law and associated policies, procedures, and guidelines;
- Conducting hearings in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, while ensuring equal access, fair treatment, and procedural fairness for all parties;
- Conducting hearings virtually or in person, with most hearings anticipated to be virtual and in-person hearings approved by the Clerk on a case-by-case basis where a need has been demonstrated;
- Attending and conducting hearings on a regularly scheduled basis throughout the term of the contract; and
- Regularly reviewing and complying with all applicable by-laws, policies, procedures, guidelines, legislation, and regulations.
The decisions of the Hearing Officer are final. The Hearing Officer has no authority to consider questions relating to the validity of any statute, regulation, or by-law, or the constitutional applicability or operability of any statute, regulation, or by-law.
Eligibility Criteria
The following individuals are not eligible to be appointed or continue serving as a Hearing Officer:
- Members of Council;
- Relatives of members of Council;
- Employees of the Township; or
- Individuals indebted to the Township.
For the purposes of this appointment, "relative" includes a spouse, parent, child, step-child, grandchild, grandparent, sibling, child of a sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, in-law, and any person who resides with the individual on a permanent basis.
Qualifications and Experience
- Membership in the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators and/or the Law Society of Ontario, considered an asset;
- A post-secondary diploma or degree in a related discipline, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Knowledge of and experience with adjudicative processes, including conducting hearings for a court, tribunal, board, or administrative body;
- Knowledge of, and experience interpreting and applying, applicable legislation, including municipal by-laws, the Municipal Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, and the Ontario Building Code;
- Knowledge of access to information and privacy legislation;
- Knowledge of and experience interpreting and applying municipal by-laws and administrative penalty programs;
- Knowledge and experience in mediation and alternative dispute resolution;
- Strong leadership, communication, facilitation, presentation, interpersonal, and organizational skills; and
- High ethical standards, integrity, sound judgment, and proficiency with computer software and virtual meeting platforms.
Applicants must not act, or continue to act, as an agent for applicants appearing before the Administrative Penalty Tribunal or any other Township administrative tribunal, such as the Committee of Adjustment.
Conduct and Compliance Expectations
The successful applicant must remain in compliance with:
- The Township's Administrative Penalties By-law;
- COR-0233 - APS Policy - Conflict of Interest;
- COR-0231 - APS Policy - Preventing Political Interference; and
- COR-0234 - APS Policy - Appointment of Screening and Hearing Officers.
The Hearing Officer is expected to act with respect, professionalism, transparency, accountability, timeliness, integrity, and impartiality. The successful applicant must remain current on changes in legislation, by-laws, policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to the role; avoid political influence and incompatible financial or personal interests; protect confidential information; refrain from accepting gifts or hospitality that could reasonably be perceived as creating a conflict of interest; and refer all media inquiries to the Clerk or designate.
Service Delivery Requirements
Applicants must be able to:
- Provide a current Criminal Record Check satisfactory to the Township;
- Hold a valid Ontario driver's licence;
- Provide and maintain appropriate computer hardware, software, and reliable high-speed internet service for the purpose of conducting hearings and rendering decisions;
- Provide services on a part-time, as-required basis;
- Conduct hearings virtually or in person at the Township Office located at 8348 Wellington Road 124, Rockwood, Ontario; and
- Attend and conduct hearings on scheduled hearing dates established by the Township.
There is no guarantee of a minimum number of hearing days or assignments. Hearing schedules will be established in advance and will be based on the volume of Hearing Review requests received through the Administrative Penalty System.
Remuneration
- Hearing Officers shall receive a per diem fee of $600 for a full day of up to 6.5 hours or $300 for a half day of up to 3.5 hours;
- Services shall be paid upon submission of an invoice;
- The remuneration rate will be reviewed annually by the Clerk or designate; and
- Mileage and transportation expenses will not be reimbursed.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to complete the Hearing Officer Application Form no later than November 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Hearing Officer Application Form:
https://www.get.on.ca/township-services/employment/hearingsofficer
For alternative application methods or assistance with completing the application, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected to proceed in the appointment process will be contacted.
The Township of Guelph/Eramosa is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and maintaining a barrier-free workplace. Accommodations are available throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Applicants are encouraged to make their accommodation needs known in advance.
Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment and will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
