General Practice Unit Attorney, OGC - 26710

NYC Public Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 106,607 - 111,107; Full time

Job summary

NYC Public Schools seeks a GPU Attorney to handle difficult legal work with significant policy or financial implications. The role reports to the Deputy Counsel, General Practice Unit, and includes liaising with the City Law Department and other NYCPS units.

The attorney conducts investigations, drafts legal analyses, and advises program offices on education law and compliance. Strong research, writing, and independent time management are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret and apply education and civil rights law.
• Strong legal writing and concise communication.
• Experience with litigation and/or administrative proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Represents NYCPS in administrative proceedings and in litigation.
• Assist with court papers, discovery, settlement negotiations, and trial prep.
• Provide education law advice to program offices and staff.
• Conduct legal research and analyze federal/state/city legislation impact.
• Draft and revise rules and regulations for NYCPS.

Skills

Litigation experience

Administrative proceedings

Legal research

Time management

Initiative and flexibility

Communication of law

Education

New York State Bar admission

Job description

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Deputy Counsel of the General Practice Unit (GPU) in the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the GPU Attorney engages in difficult and complex legal work having significant financial, procedural, or policy consequences for the NYCPS. Performs related work.

Reports to:

Deputy Counsel, General Practice Unit

Direct Reports:

N/A

Responsibilities

• Represents NYCPS in administrative proceedings before the City Commission on Human Rights, the State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
• Serves as agency liaison to the City Law Department and assists with court papers, discovery, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation in litigated cases, including those brought against NYCPS under federal, state, and city civil rights laws.
• Conducts legal investigations, including pre-litigation matters, examines witnesses, and recommends settlements and other resolutions.
• Analyzes and responds to legal issues handled by GPU, related to admissions, space planning, early childhood education programs, significant changes in school utilization, charter schools, civil rights statutes, reasonable accommodations, student suspensions, parent led groups, immunization, home schooling, Title VI, Title IX, local law compliance, and other matters.
• Provides advice on education law to program offices throughout NYCPS.
• Confers with subject matter specialists, attorneys in other NYCPS legal units, and counsel for litigants.
• Analyzes and reports on the impact of federal, state, and city legislation.
• Drafts and revises rules and regulations for NYCPS.
• Performs in-depth legal research and legal analyses on critical issues and policies for NYCPS.
• Assists with briefing the General Counsel on compliance issues and legal issues relating to NYCPS priorities, policy initiatives, and program office escalations.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar AND three (3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar.

Note: Selected candidates must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Preferred

• Ability to interpret and communicate provisions of applicable law and regulations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to conduct legal research efficiently.
• Experience with litigation and/or administrative proceedings.
• Ability to manage time and workload independently.
• Ability to take initiative and be flexible.

Salary

$106,607 - $111,107

(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.)

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

• New York City Residency is NOT Required

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.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION - APPLICANTS

Any prospective employee (applicant) who is a qualified individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to assist in the application process. If an applicant for employment believes that they have a qualifying disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process on an equal basis as applicants who do not have a disability, they should request an accommodation with their interview team or contact ODA by emailing [e-mail]. The determination of the accommodation request will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/doe-employees-only/personnel-memorandum-6-2024-2025---accommodations.pdf

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/.