Special Education Legal Coordinator - 24608

Description:

Position Summary: Under general supervision of the Deputy Director of the Special Education Unit, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, performs responsible work in the supervision and/or performance of community outreach, administrative work and tasks 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: SEU Legal Associate staff and Consultants

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

Responsibilities

A Special Education Legal Coordinator 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 the status of ten-day notice and/or impartial hearing cases filed.
• Collects, examines and analyzes documents for claims filed by private attorneys and takes necessary steps to obtain settlement authority ; provides guidance to subordinate staff on appropriate procedures for communicating with parents and their representatives.
• Prepares preliminary reports and recommendations pertaining to case management.
• Supervises subordinate personnel engaged in document collection, drafting, and data entry.
• Reviews various data systems and coordinates with other Legal Services staff to ensure reconciliation and accurate data entry.
• Examines and analyzes documents for legal fee claims filed by private attorneys and provides guidance to subordinate staff on appropriate procedures for working with parents in preparing stipulations of settlement.
• Supervises subordinate personnel engaged in the review and completion of special education due process claims submitted by parents.
• Corresponds with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of legal cases filed by parents and their representatives.
• Maintains appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings.
• Prepares and reviews reports that inform management of due process hearing issues and summarizes information related to case filings and scheduling.
• Utilizes computer systems to assist in the processing of due process complaints.
• Supervises and coordinates work schedules and assignments; serves as a consultant on difficult special education cases.
• 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; interprets internal Special Education Unit policy and procedures to subordinate staff.
• Works closely with managing attorneys to maintain protocols and procedures.
• Reviews case records and documentation necessary to respond to requests for impartial hearings.
• Recommends settlement of special education claims.
• Prepares preliminary reports and recommendations pertaining to cases.
• Coordinates SEU job applicant interviews and participates on hiring panels.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Efficient investigative and research skills.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with database building and maintenance using Microsoft Access.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel and Word).

Salary:

$62,707 (New Hire Rate)

$72,114 - $79,325 (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.

* NewYorkCityResidency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the NewYorkCity tri-state area to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy
The Department of Education of the City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. 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/.