Driver Safety Branch Chief

This position is located within California.

About This Role

The Driver Safety Branch Chief is a senior legal-administrative leader overseeing statewide driver safety operations. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this role ensures consistent, fair, and legally sound execution of administrative actions and hearings. It offers legal professionals a key opportunity to uphold due process, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and guide policy that supports both public safety and procedural justice across California.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee daily operations of the Driver Safety Branch, ensuring consistent implementation of departmental policies, procedures, and statutory requirements.
• Lead modernization initiatives to improve workflow efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and enhance public service delivery statewide.
• Monitor performance metrics, data analytics, and operational outcomes to identify trends, address vulnerabilities, and inform policy recommendations.
• Oversee the administration of discretionary authority within driver safety hearings, ensuring adherence to legal standards, due process requirements, and consistent, transparent decision-making.
• Partner with legal counsel, executive leadership, and branch administrators to maintain quality and fairness in investigations and administrative actions.
• Serve as the primary departmental liaison, cultivating productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and ensuring clear, accurate communications.
• Direct the administration of Driver Safety case management systems, optimizing data integrity, system security, and workflow alignment across all branch operations.
• Promote workforce excellence by leading training, mentoring, and performance management programs that support staff development and operational readiness.
• Manage resource allocation, workload distribution, and budget planning to align staffing and operational needs with strategic branch priorities.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture focused on professional growth, engagement, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in government, regulatory agencies, or administrative law environments.
• Strong understanding of due process principles, administrative hearings, and adjudicatory procedures.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex statutes, regulations, and departmental policies.
• Experience leading large operational teams, including field offices and headquarters functions.
• Skill in developing and implementing strategic initiatives, modernizing systems, and improving workflow efficiency.
• Ability to analyze performance data, identify trends, and develop policy-driven solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience representing programs to stakeholders, legal partners, and executive leadership.
• Familiarity with case management systems, data security standards, and system integration practices.
• Track record of building high-performing teams through mentorship, training, and performance management.
• Strong judgment, diplomacy, and decision-making skills in complex, high-impact environments.
• Ability to manage budgets, allocate resources effectively, and prioritize competing operational demands.
• Commitment to equity, fairness, and public service, with a focus on integrity in administrative actions.