Disability Rights Attorney

New York City Fire Department; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Agency Attorney LIII supervises the Disability Rights Unit (DRU) within the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), leading the Reasonable Accommodation (RA) program for civilian, EMS, and Fire personnel. This role also serves as the FDNY Disability Service Facilitator and coordinates accommodation requests from the public.

The position requires strong knowledge of Title VII, the ADA, and New York City and State human rights laws, plus independent judgment and excellent interpersonal, written,

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar and eligibility for AL III per NYC civil service guidelines.
• One year of United States legal experience after bar admission; or six months as Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
• Maintain NYS Bar membership in good standing for duration of employment.
• To be assigned to AL II/III must meet specified experience in related law areas.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, provide legal guidance, and oversee RA review and Cooperative Dialogue process.
• Oversee Cooperative Dialogue with FDNY employees and management, identify accommodations, evaluate information, and conduct undue hardship analyses to determine feasibility of accommodations.

Skills

Disability rights experience

Legal writing

Interpersonal skills

Cooperative Dialogue facilitation

Education

Licensed attorney in NY State Bar

Job description

The Agency Attorney LIII supervises the Disability Rights Unit (DRU). The unit is responsible for handling the FDNY's Reasonable Accommodation (RA) process for civilian, EMS, and Fire personnel seeking RA for disability, religious observances, and domestic violence and/or stalking. The Agency Attorney Level III also serves as the FDNY's Disability Service Facilitator and coordinates requests for reasonable accommodations from members of the public. This position requires strong knowledge of Title VII of the Civil Rights Law of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and New York State and City Human Rights Laws, independent judgment, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt and handle challenging conversations and circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision, legal guidance, and substantive oversight of the review and processing of RA requests and the Cooperative Dialogue process.
• Oversee and participate in the Cooperative Dialogue with FDNY employees and management, including identifying potential accommodations, obtaining and evaluating relevant information, and conduct undue hardship analyses to determine whether requested accommodations or alternative accommodations can be reasonably provided.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 Interne (30086).
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements: To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) 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. 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.

Preferred Skills

Prior experience with reasonable accommodations, disability rights, EEO, employment law, or a closely related area. Investigative and/or litigation experience is strongly preferred. Excellent writing, analytical, communications, and people skills. Ability to complete assigned tasks in an independent, organized, and timely manner. Experience conducting the Cooperative Dialogue/interactive process and analyzing reasonable accommodation and undue hardship issues. Strong organizational and case-management skills.