BAR Smog Check Associate Referee

Functional Title: BAR Smog Check Associate Referee

CALPERS Title: Specialist

Department: Community Impact

Reports To: BAR Referee Program Region Manager

FLSA Status: FTE, Non-Exempt, Temporary 1 year max

Locations: The Smog Check Referee Program is recruiting for open Referee positions throughout California, including locations in Whittier, Greater Los Angeles, San Jose, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, LA, Oxnard, San Bruno and more

Last Updated: 8/2/23

Position Summary

The Associate Referee position was created to give additional training and experience in the Referee Program to those that may not yet fully qualify for the full Referee position.

The Associate Referee trains under an experienced Referee and Manager and provides specialized Smog Check and other services to California community members. Associate Referees perform functions and services as directed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), services that industry is not authorized to perform.

This position requires practical experience and knowledge in emissions testing, diagnosis, and repair. Additionally, it requires someone with the ability to discuss all things smog check, smog check failure, and diagnosis accurately and confidently with consumers, students, BAR staff, and industry.

Within one year of hire the Associate Referee must be able to effectively perform all aspects of the position while remaining calm and composed and be a professional Subject Matter Expert even in the most difficult, high-pressure situations.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs inspections and testing of consumer vehicles for smog certification, verifies compliance of smog check laws and regulations, performs other inspections and tests as needed, and disseminates test results and information to vehicle owners, other staff, and program management as required.
• Responds to technical queries from consumers, industry, BAR, and other program stakeholders.
• Promotes the mission of the Foundation through the BAR Smog Check Referee Program and maintains a strong understanding of all policies, practices, and procedures regarding the program.
• Maintains Referee site (and remote) workspace and equipment. Maintains and promotes a safe and incident free work environment, provides safety information to staff, consumers, and students, and quickly responds to safety concerns.
• Maintains communication with Region Manager and other BAR referee sites by establishing and maintaining rapport with program employees, attending meetings, and preparing/distributing relevant information and necessary reports.
• Submits recurring and other reports to Region Manager outlining any complaints received and the resolution of each complaint.
• Leads/directs the training, development, performance appraisal and work assignments of BAR Referee site Student Technicians and other program staff.
• Builds and cultivates internal and external relationships where appropriate.
• Suggests program improvements.
• Emulates and participates in a culture of shared leadership and promotes organizational values.
• Contributes to team effort by completing other assignments and serving on project teams related to the Referee Program as assigned and accomplishing related results as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities / Level of Supervision

• Proven ability to build and maintain personal and program credibility.
• May review work and provide some oversight of junior staff.
• Receives general as well as case specific direction from Region Manager as to goals and the achievement of those goals.
• Evaluated based on the successful performance of essential job duties and responsibilities and achievement of goals. Subject to broad communications associated with the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of three (3) + years of progressive experience in vehicle smog inspections, diagnostics, and repairs.
• BAR: EO Inspection and Repair EI licenses (If EI incomplete, must be valid and current within 1 year of hire)
• ASE: A6, A8, and L1 Certifications (If incomplete, all must be valid and current within 1 year of hire)
• CA Driver’s License.
• ASE Master Technician Certification a plus.
• Associates degree in Automotive Technology a plus.

The following are required within 1 year of hire:

• Ability to work on a fast-paced team and build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of automobile repair and technology, including California state and local automobile regulations, laws, and codes.
• Strong practical knowledge of BAR Smog Check Program requirements and procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Skills in interpersonal relationships and communication between consumers, site staff, and program management.
• Ability to respond effectively to routine inquiries and complaints.
• Strong ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times, including during high-pressure interactions with consumers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and system maintenance applications.
• Ability to adapt to and effectively perform in virtual working conditions using Zoom/Teams/Google Docs/Google Sheets/SharePoint and other programs.
• Strong initiative and ability to learn quickly.
• Strong problem-solving and follow-through skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business correspondence.
• Ability to switch rapidly among multiple ongoing tasks.
• Ability to present basic information and answer routine questions for customers, program staff, and the public.
• Ability to effectively instruct, mentor, and supervise Student Technicians with supplemental training programs, with the goal being that the students can then pursue employment.

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, with additional hours as needed to address the organization’s needs. This is a California-based position, with the flexibility to work remotely (in California) or in person at our Sacramento office. This position may require moderate travel to attend meetings, conferences, and perform other essential functions of the job.

Physical Requirements

The Foundation may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions/physical requirements. The following physical requirements are essential to the performance of this position:

• Must be able to remain in stationary position up to 4 hours at a time and 8 hours total in a day. Ability to constantly work at a computer workstation for up to five consecutive days.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with internal office staff and/or external third parties who have inquiries about their job tasks. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to frequently move and/or remain in a stationary position without breaks during meetings. Ability to continually operate a computer.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements (e.g. typing and filing) and operate and use common office equipment (e.g. copy machine, printer, telephone).
• Ability to drive long distances to multiple smog inspection sites.
• Ability to perform movement and actions such as bending, twisting, and climbing under vehicles, and other actions associated with vehicle inspections.
• Ability to endure extreme hot and cold temperatures experienced in a shop. environment, as well as being on your feet for extended periods of time.
• Ability to constantly work at a computer workstation for up to five consecutive days. Ability to frequently communicate with internal staff and external third parties.
• Ability to frequently move and/or remain in a stationary position without breaks at meetings and program site visits.
• Ability to operate personal vehicle for Foundation business and possess current valid California driver’s license and insurance.
• Ability to frequently lift and move a minimum of 40 pounds.
• Moderate overnight travel (up to 40%) by land and air.
• Typical workdays and hours may include weekends and evenings.

Equal Employment Opportuni