Legal Associate - Special Education Litigation Unit

Position Type: Administrative and Central Office

Office Title/Functional Title: Special Education Legal Associate - 13901

Civil Service Title: Community Associate

Level: N/A

Division/Office: Office of the General Counsel

Borough: Manhattan

Description:

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE

Position Summary: Under general supervision of the Deputy Director of the Special Education Unit, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, performs work including community outreach, administrative tasks and work related to the Legal Services Special Education Initiative; performs assigned tasks to ensure the delivery and implementation of special education services. Performs related work.

Reports to: Managing Attorney, Office of Legal Services ? Special Education Unit

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: The Special Education Legal Associate will work closely with the Special Education Attorney and other Legal Services staff in support of special education personnel.

Responsibilities

A Special Education Legal Associate may be tasked to work on any of the following:

• Works with public advocacy groups, parents and private attorneys to collect settlement documentation to ensure timely implementation of settlement agreements.
• Conducts outreach to other members of SEU, parents and their representatives, including public advocates and attorneys regarding status of ten-day notice and/or the impartial hearing cases filed.
• Examines and analyzes documents for legal fee claims filed by private attorneys and takes necessary steps to obtain settlement authority.
• Performs liaison functions with other offices of the DOE regarding the settlement of parent?s claims.
• Prepares follow-up and other reports and maintains appropriate records.
• Examines and analyzes records and documents, case files, and legal filings in connection with various administrative proceedings involving the Department of Education special education impartial hearings.
• Prepares preliminary reports, and statistical data and recommendations pertaining to cases.
• Gathers evidence and assists in researching issues for the Special Education Unit.
• Reviews administrative decisions.
• Determines the Department?s obligations to parents and students pursuant to impartial hearing orders and instructs appropriate offices in the DOE as to these obligations.
• Maintains appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings.
• Obtains, examines and analyzes records and documents, case files, and legal filings in connection with various administrative proceedings involving the Department of Education special education impartial hearings.
• Reviews case records and documentation necessary to respond to requests for impartial hearings.
• Recommends settlement of special education claims.
• Utilizes computer systems for document filing and data management. Schedules due process hearings and utilizes computer systems to assist in the processing of due process complaints.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

• High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

Preferred

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Efficient legal research skills.

Salary:

$41,780 (New Hire Rate)

$48,045 - $50,447 (Incumbent - 2 years of full-time continuous City service)

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, caregiver status, consumer credit history, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $41,780.00 - $50,447.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Brooklyn, NY 11201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brooklyn, NY 11201