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Board adopts revised executive job description after debate over law degree requirement
Summary
The Board of Appeals adopted an amended job description for the board executive role after commissioners split over whether to require a JD or membership in a U.S. bar; the board settled on a JD requirement but not necessarily California bar membership and agreed to revisit qualifications if the candidate pool proved too small.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted to adopt a revised job description for the board’s executive position (referred to in discussion as executive director/executive secretary) after an extended debate over whether the post should require a law degree and bar membership.
Commissioners discussed how the role combines legal and procedural responsibilities — drafting and revising rules, interpreting procedural requirements, and overseeing fair hearings — and noted the board lost a long-serving executive secretary, Bob Feldman. Several members said they preferred requiring a JD (completion of law school) given the position’s legal tasks, while others argued practical knowledge of building and planning codes and experience writing findings could be as important as a law degree. Commissioners agreed the job description should require a JD but that bar membership need not be limited to California; the board added a provision to revisit the requirement if the applicant pool proved insufficient.
Deputy City Attorney Catherine Barnes advised commissioners that substantive changes must be made in open session. After amendments discussed on the floor, the board adopted the description as amended on a 4–0–1 vote with Commissioner Holland absent.
Next steps: Human Resources will receive the board’s working document and, if the department’s final requirements differ (for example, whether membership in a bar is required), staff will report back; the position will be posted consistent with the board’s adopted qualifications.
