Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)


City Council will appoint Screening and Hearing Review Officers at the beginning of each term of Council, for a period concurrent with the term of Council, or until successors are appointed.  Qualified candidates will be interviewed as part of the candidate selection process.

Screening Review Officers Role

Screening Review Officers are appointed to review parking infraction penalty notices, as requested by persons, and make decisions on administrative penalties and related fees regarding parking infractions. 
 
The key functional responsibilities include:
  • all powers of review and power of decision in the review of an administrative penalty, as set out in the AMPS by-law
  • power of decision to extend the time to request a review of an administrative penalty, upon proper application, and in accordance with established AMPS policy, procedures and guidelines
  • power of decision to affirm, cancel, reduce or extend the time for payment of an administrative penalty, in accordance with established AMPS policy, procedures and guidelines

Hearing Review Officers Role

Hearing Review Officers are appointed to review Screening Review Officer decisions regarding administrative penalties and related fees, as requested by persons, and make final decisions on the Screening Review Officer decisions. 
 
The key functional responsibilities include:
  • all powers of review and power of decision in the review of a Screening Decision, as set out in the AMPS by-law
  • power of decision to extend the time to request a review of a Screening Decision, upon proper application, and in accordance with established AMPS policy, procedures and guidelines
  • power to conduct a hearing in accordance with the Statutory Powers and Procedures Act, including not making any decision respecting a review of a Screening Decision unless the Person (with the Penalty Notice) and the City have an opportunity to be heard at the scheduled hearing of the review
  • power of decision to affirm the Screening Decision, or cancel, reduce or extend the time for payment of an administrative penalty, in accordance with established AMPS policy, procedures and guidelines, with any such decision being final
Specific duties similar to both the Screening Review Officer and Hearing Review Officer positions include:
  • Prepares for and conducts Screening Reviews or Hearing Reviews, and makes rulings and/or writes decisions
  • Conducts a Screening or Hearing Review, or other duties as assigned in accordance with the guiding principles, rules of practice, policies, procedures, and/or guidelines developed by the City of Brampton, as well as other applicable laws. In the case of the Hearing Review Officer, conducts Hearing Reviews in accordance with the Statutory Powers and Procedures Act
  • Reviews submissions and evidence presented by parties to dispute, and ensures that all issues are dealt with at the Screening or Hearing Review
  • Actively listens to comprehend interest and positions, which are sometimes difficult to ascertain
  • Makes rulings necessary for the proper and expeditious conduct, control and completion of the Screening or Hearing Review process
  • Reviews and analyzes all evidence and submissions thoroughly and makes decisions based on the evidence and consideration and application of relevant City by-law, policy, procedure or guideline
  • Makes rulings and issues written decisions that are independent and free of outside influence
  • Issues decisions in a timely manner, within the time frames established by the City of Brampton
  • Issues clear, well-written, soundly reasoned Screening and Hearing Review decisions, which are understandable by the parties
  • Participates in training and stays current in the field by engaging in ongoing professional development, participating in scheduled and ad-hoc meetings, as well as participating on committees and work groups related to the work of the Screening or Hearing Review Officer as required by the City of Brampton
  • Participates in meetings, training, mentoring sessions and in committees established for the administration of the Screening and Hearing Review Officer role as required by the City of Brampton
  • Complies with guiding principles, policies and practices as set out by the City of Brampton to meet accountability of administrative requirements
  • Works constructively and contributes to a collegial atmosphere by sharing knowledge, time and experience with the other Screening or Hearing Review Officers
  • Maintains positive, productive and appropriate relationships with stakeholders and all parties involved in the AMPS process
  • Ensures equal access, fair treatment and due process for all parties
  • Deals with conflict and diverging interests while maintaining decorum, due process, and professional and respectful interactions among all parties
  • Recognizes and deals appropriately with situations that may involve an issue of bias or conflict of interest
  • Acts with integrity and honesty, guided by the best interests of the City of Brampton and the public with an overarching commitment to customer service excellence

Applicant Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants must be knowledgeable in the fields of municipal law or municipal law enforcement in the Province of Ontario, as well be familiar with adjudicative processes. Applicants must be a Canadian citizen and 18 years of age or older. Persons excluded from consideration as a Screening or Hearing Review Officers include a Member of Council or their relative or a person indebted to the City (beyond property taxes). 
 
Applicants should be experienced in the following subject area and skill sets:
  • interpreting and applying legislation, including the Municipal Act, 2001 (and specifically Ontario 333/07) and City by-laws (specifically Traffic By-law 93-93, as amended) and related City policy
  • demonstrated adjudicative experience
  • understanding of the professional, institutional and community context within which the City of Brampton operates
  • understanding of the provincial justice system and administrative law and the concepts of fairness/ natural justice
  • demonstrated analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, decision-making, writing and computer skills
  • ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively
  • ability to formulate reasoned decisions and communicate them orally, written or via computer access in a timely manner
  • well developed dispute resolution skills
  • impartiality and sound judgment to fairly assess and resolve issues regarding conflicting verbal/written evidence and the assessment of credibility
  • commitment to ongoing professional development to enhance expertise and remain current in the field
  • good organizational skills to manage diverse workloads
  • self-confidence/ self-control and sensitivity to the diverse interests of parties in order to maintain effective control in potentially confrontational and stressful situations
  • commitment to respect diversity and inclusiveness to maintain fair, transparent, participatory understandable processes for persons regardless of physical or language abilities
  • computer literacy
 
All appointments are subject to a police criminal background check.
  

Time Commitments and Remuneration

Current workload estimates for 2014 are listed below.
 
AMPS Officer
Positions Required
Estimated Workload
Remuneration
Screening Review Officer
2 – 3 Screening Review Officers (plus possible alternate appointments, if necessary)
· 2.5 weekdays per week
· 6-7 hours per work day
· Possibility of evening or weekend work
· Location – Brampton courthouse and/or other City facility
$400 per diem
Hearings Review Officer
1 – 2 Hearing Review Officers (plus possible alternate appointments, if necessary)
· 2 weekdays per week
· 5-6 hours per work day
· Possibility of evening or weekend work
· Location – Brampton courthouse and/or other City facility
$500 per diem
 
Appointed Screening and Hearing Review Officers will receive training by the City of Brampton, and will need to able to use a computer to input and access information to and from City computer systems during a screening review or hearing review.
  
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