Impartial Hearing Office Legal Associate, OGC - 25005

Position Summary: Under the general supervision of the Senior Director, the Impartial Hearing Office Legal Associate will ensure timely and efficient processing of due process complaints and mediation requests while also providing legal support through the conclusion and if applicable, appeal of impartial hearing cases. Performs related work.

Reports to: Senior Director, Impartial Hearing Office

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Works closely with IHO Agency Attorneys, Legal Coordinators, Case Coordinator Team Lead, consultant paralegals, other IHO staff, as well as staff from the Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Unit (ERES), Special Education Unit (SEU), Implementation Unit (IU), Committees on Special Education (CSEs), District 75 (D75), District 79 (D79), the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT), pro se litigants, parent attorneys, advocacy firms, Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs), Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings Special Education Hearings Division (OATH SEHD) and New York State Education Department’s Due Process Unit (NYSED). Candidate must have knowledge of the NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) organizational structure as it relates to Special Education, e.g., knowledge of the Committees on Special Education (CSEs), and the OGC.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, analyzes and processes due process complaints and mediation requests.
• Provides support to mediation liaison in conducting outreach to filers, make referrals to the Community
  
  

Disputes Resolution Centers, tracking mediation outcomes and reporting on mediation.

• Corresponds with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of legal cases.
• Conducts preliminary outreach to stakeholders, e.g., parents and their representatives, public advocacy groups, and attorneys, to garner additional information as required.
• Disseminates parent packets, procedural safeguard notices and case related documents to pro se filers.
• Corresponds with hearing officers and parties regarding deficiencies in their submissions to ensure all information and documentation necessary to process complaints, orders, pendency implementation forms and evidence are submitted.
• Escalates issues to Agency Attorneys and/or Senior Director of the Impartial Hearing Office.
• Scans, reviews, and uploads case documents into the Impartial Hearing System (IHS).
• Processes orders and decisions submitted by hearing officers and pendency implementation forms submitted by the district.
• Submits translation requests to vendor; maintains internal tracking system for translations; distributes and/or uploads translated documents.
• Processes case withdrawals in IHS.
• Works closely with attorneys and staff to maintain office procedures and protocols.
• Maintains appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings.
• Utilizes and maintains Impartial Hearing System Cognos reports.
  
  

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.
  
  

Plus

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, individuals must have two additional years of the experience described in "1" above.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Paralegal Certificate Holder.
• Experience dealing with child advocacy issues.
• Experience in Special Education.
• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Knowledge of Automate the Schools (ATS), Impartial Hearing System (IHS), and the Special Education Student Information System (SESIS).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Efficient legal research skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize time sensitive tasks.
  
  

Salary: $49,486 - $54,445

(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

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/.