Disability Rights Coordinator

FIRE DEPARTMENT; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) seeks an Agency Attorney Level III to supervise the Disability Rights Unit and coordinate reasonable accommodations for personnel and the public. The role emphasizes strong knowledge of Title VII, ADA, and local laws, with responsibilities spanning oversight, reporting, and policy updates.

Ideal candidates will have NYS Bar admission, relevant federal/state experience post admission, and the ability to conduct cooperative dialogue,

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.
• 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.

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.
• Ensure that the FDNY’s RA practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and with DCAS’ Reasonable Accommodation policies and guidelines.
• Assist employees and managers in understanding their rights and responsibilities regarding reasonable accommodations within the Agency.
• Providing guidance and support to the Assistant Commissioner, and Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Prepare and submit quarterly, annual, and other required reports concerning RA requests and DRU activities;
• Correspond with FDNY personnel, management, medical practitioners, and other relevant parties to obtain and evaluate information necessary to assess Reasonable Accommodation requests.
• Serve as the FDNY’s Disability Service Facilitator (DSF) and coordinate the Agency’s response to requests from members of the public for disability-related accommodations and access to FDNY programs, services, and facilities.
• Investigate complaints of disability discrimination and prepare appropriate findings and recommendations.
• Research legal and policy issues affecting disability rights and RA and remain current on developments in applicable federal, state, and local law.
• Work with FDNY Legal Affairs and other stakeholders to review and implement revisions to Reasonable Accommodation policies, procedures, and practices, as necessary.
• Collaborate with the Office of Labor Relations, as appropriate, on labor relations matters involving Reasonable Accommodations, including preparation for and participation in arbitration proceedings.
• Develop, maintain and ensuring all record keeping and data tracking processes and procedures are timely, accurate, and consistent, for reporting.

Job description

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the largest Fire Department in the United States and universally is recognized as the world's busiest and most highly skilled emergency response agency. The Department's main goal is to provide fire protection, emergency medical care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors in the five boroughs. FDNY members are sworn to serve and protect life and property and the Department works to continually educate the public in fire, life safety and disaster preparedness, along with enforcing public safety codes. Since its inception in 1865, FDNY has helped lead efforts to make New York the safest big city in the nation. This accomplishment requires a steadfast and daily commitment to maintaining the Department's core values.

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 include:

• 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.
• Ensure that the FDNY’s RA practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and with DCAS’ Reasonable Accommodation policies and guidelines.
• Assist employees and managers in understanding their rights and responsibilities regarding reasonable accommodations within the Agency.
• Providing guidance and support to the Assistant Commissioner, and Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Prepare and submit quarterly, annual, and other required reports concerning RA requests and DRU activities;
• Correspond with FDNY personnel, management, medical practitioners, and other relevant parties to obtain and evaluate information necessary to assess Reasonable Accommodation requests.
• Serve as the FDNY’s Disability Service Facilitator (DSF) and coordinate the Agency’s response to requests from members of the public for disability-related accommodations and access to FDNY programs, services, and facilities.
• Investigate complaints of disability discrimination and prepare appropriate findings and recommendations.
• Research legal and policy issues affecting disability rights and RA and remain current on developments in applicable federal, state, and local law.
• Work with FDNY Legal Affairs and other stakeholders to review and implement revisions to Reasonable Accommodation policies, procedures, and practices, as necessary.
• Collaborate with the Office of Labor Relations, as appropriate, on labor relations matters involving Reasonable Accommodations, including preparation for and participation in arbitration proceedings.
• Develop, maintain and ensuring all record keeping and data tracking processes and procedures are timely, accurate, and consistent, for reporting.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• 2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• 3. 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.

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/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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 based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.