CSE - Special Education Unit Attorney (Level 1) - 16011

NYC Public Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 83,842 - 88,342; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Job summary

NYC Public Schools is looking for a Special Education Unit Attorney in New York City. You will perform legal work related to IDEA claims and collaborate closely with staff across various departments.

Ideal candidates must be a member of the New York State Bar and have at least one year of legal experience. This position offers a salary between $83,842 and $88,342, along with opportunities for public service loan forgiveness and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar required.
• One year of legal experience post-bar admission preferred.
• Must be a Member of the NY State Bar in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and respond to ten-day notices.
• Perform legal research and make recommendations.
• Confer with special education specialists and technical experts.
• Negotiate settlement regarding special education claims.
• Assist in training Level I Attorneys.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Legal research skills

Litigation experience

Education

Admission to the New York State Bar

One year of satisfactory legal experience

Six months Agency Attorney Intern experience

Job description

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of the Special Education Unit of the Office of Legal Services, with wide latitude for independent judgment and decision-making, the Special Education Unit (SEU) Attorney performs legal work related to IDEA claims filed by parents or the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) regarding services provided to students suspected of having, or classified with, a disability. Performs related work.

Reports to

Special Education Unit Team Leader

Direct Reports

N/A

Key Relationships

The Special Education Unit Attorney works closely with the Special Education staff, including the Special Education Office, Committees on Special Education, the Office of School Support, the Public Schools, other offices that directly support the NYCPS, and the staff in the Office of Legal Services.

Responsibilities

Level 1 Assignments

• Investigate and respond to ten‑day notices and/or due process complaints tasks include reviewing internal NYCPS documents, interviewing staff, and conducting legal research.
• Perform legal research assigned by Team Leaders and make recommendations.
• Confer with special education specialists, technical experts, and other attorneys, including parents’ counsel.
• Make recommendations for case direction, including litigation, settlement, or referral for other resolution.
• Review administrative decisions.
• Negotiating, drafting, and processing stipulations of settlement regarding special education claims. Such tasks include:
  • review of documents submitted by the Parent and recommending appropriate settlement;
  • researching state and federal case law and implications for settlement negotiations;
  • negotiating settlement with Parent or their counsel;
  • drafting memoranda for submission to the New York City Comptroller’s Office for settlement authority for proposed settlement;
  • drafting, reviewing, and negotiating language for stipulations of settlements;
  • coordinating and monitoring the implementation of stipulated agreements; and
  • reviewing and negotiating claims for attorney’s fees.
  • reviewing requests for pendency.
• May be assigned to analyze City, State, and Federal legislation and make recommendations accordingly regarding effects and implementation.
• May be assigned to review and track administrative decisions in special education matters for potential appeal; draft appellate documents; negotiate the settlement of appeals of special education claims; and Act as a liaison to the Office of the Corporation Counsel for special education matters appealed to the State and Federal Court.

Level 2 Assignments

In addition to the duties and responsibilities described above, performs the following:

• Assist Team Leaders with training of Level I Attorneys and staff.
• Investigate and respond to ten‑day notices and/or due process complaints involving complex claims.
• Under supervision, prepare and try cases before an administrative hearing officer. Litigation tasks may include: selecting and preparing evidence, preparing legal strategies and arguments, preparing witness questions and preparing witnesses for impartial hearings, preparing briefs, motions, legal opinions, affidavits, memoranda, subpoenas, and/or other legal papers.
• Work with the SEU Legal Associates to maintain appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings, respond to due process complaints, and determine the Department’s obligations to parents and students pursuant to impartial hearing orders.
• Provide legal support to public school staff and non‑attorney NYCPS litigators:
  • Gather evidence and assist in researching issues for the Special Education Unit.
  • Provide and review draft subpoenas, motions, legal research, memoranda, and documents.

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: Incumbents must remain Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Special Note

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Level II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Preferred

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Litigation experience (for Level II Assignment).
• Efficient legal research skills.

Salary

$83,842 - $88,342

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/.