Closing Date: 31st December, 2024
Description:
Description:Position Summary: Under the direction of the Senior Advisor, with wide latitude for independent action, the Agency Attorney, Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Request Unit will perform sophisticated legal work on regulatory matters under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), New York State Education Law, the New York State Regulations of the Commissioner, and the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor's Regulations. This position will perform and oversee the processing of enhanced rate equitable services request responses to New York State Education Department (NYSED) inquiries, and the compilation of Special Education Quality Assurance responses. Also, the candidate will work to ensure the legal mandate of the provision of equitable services. The Agency Attorney, IHO will work on critical special education legal policy initiatives in conjunction with the Office of the General Counsel Special Education Case Management leadership team. Performs related work.
Reports to: Senior Advisor, Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Unit
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships: Senior Advisor and Director of the Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Request Unit, Docketing Coordinators of the Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Request Unit, Impartial Hearing Office leadership team, Impartial Hearing Office administrative staff, paralegals, law interns, Office of General Counsel Special Education Unit, Office of General Counsel Deputy Counsel – Due Process, Office of General Counsel Special Education Case Management Leadership, NYCPS Special Education Office and New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Responsibilities:
- Process enhanced rate equitable services requests, response to filers and NYSED Inquiries.
- Receive, file, coordinate, and review approvals of enhanced rate equitable services requests.
- Provide support in counseling to office administrative staff on all legal matters, including the requirements of the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NYS Education Law, New York State Regulations 8 NYCRR 200, 201, 279, and NYC Chancellor's Regulations.
- Work with the Senior Advisor to draft communications in the form of letters and memos to NYSED pertaining to the administration of enhanced rate equitable services request and NYS law and regulations.
- Act as liaison with executives within the agency and with other City agencies.
- Monitor the workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.
- Maintain knowledge of current NYS law and regulations to ensure that the office is compliant.
- Analyze issues raised in requests, complaints, approval of requests, and dispositions of NYSED Special Education Quality Assurance complaint findings to identify trends and the effect on office operations.
- Review existing administrative processes and create comprehensive technical guides for use in training and as reference materials for the office.
- Review existing regulations and procedures; propose legislation changes with supporting authority and provide advice regarding the impact on the office and the NYCPS.
- Train and oversee docketing coordinators, new attorneys, as well as law interns on daily processes and the provision of appropriate legal support to the office.
- Perform legal research.
- Assist the Senior Advisor and Special Education Case Management leadership team in providing training.
- Perform the duties of the Senior Advisor in their temporary absence.
Qualification Requirements:
Minimum:
- Admission to the New York State Bar; and either 2 or 3 below.
- One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
- Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Intern (30086).
Note: To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
Incumbents must remain Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of IDEA, New York State Education Law, New York State Regulations of the Commissioner, and the NYCPS Chancellor's Regulations.
- Knowledge of document review standards.
