OEO Complaint Unit Attorney, OEO - 26313

NYC Public Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 111,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education of the City of New York is seeking an Agency Attorney to supervise and review confidential investigations related to discrimination and harassment under EEO laws and the NYC Non-Discrimination Policy.

Under the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management, the role involves drafting legal briefs, training investigators, maintaining caseloads, and liaising with law departments and other agencies. Travel to boroughs may be required.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of United States legal experience after admission.
• Six months of experience as an Agency Attorney Intern (30086).
• Selected candidates must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Responsibilities

• Review investigative reports to ensure all allegations are addressed and witnesses interviewed.
• Review investigative files for proper documentation per policy.
• Provide feedback to investigative staff.
• Conduct comprehensive searches of the OEO database.
• Liaise with internal and external entities requesting OEO information.
• Draft complex rules or regulations including amendments to policy.
• Maintain investigative caseload, including high-profile cases.
• Train and supervise investigators.

Skills

NY Bar admission

US legal experience

Agency Attorney Intern

Job description

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management, with latitude for independent action, performs reviews of investigative reports related to highly confidential and sensitive investigations concerning complaints of discrimination and unlawful harassment pursuant to federal, state, and local EEO laws and the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Non-Discrimination Policy. Performs related work.

Reports to: Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Office of the General Counsel, Office of Special Investigations, Special Commissioner of Investigation, Office of Personnel Investigations, New York City Law Department, Freedom of Information Law Unit, and Division of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Reviews investigative reports to ensure that all allegations have been addressed, all necessary witnesses have been interviewed, and that the investigation was thoroughly conducted.
• Reviews investigative files to ensure that all necessary documentation has been filed in accordance with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEO) investigative policies and procedures.
• Provides feedback and guidance to investigative staff regarding reports.
• Conducts comprehensive searches of the OEO database.
• Confers with NYCPS subject matter specialists, technical experts, and administrative trial attorneys.
• Serves as a liaison between OEO and both internal and external entities that request information regarding OEO investigations, including: New York City Law Department, Special Commissioner of Investigation, Office of Legal Services (OLS), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), NYCPS’s Freedom of Information Law Unit (FOIL), NYCPS employees, various unions, members of the public, etc.
• Assists in the analysis and/or preparation of reports indicating complaint trends based on data collected.
• Reviews complex, important, or highly technical laws, rules, or regulations.
• Conducts research and prepares legal briefs and memoranda on education law and employment discrimination issues.
• Advises on legal aspects of enforcement and administration of rules and regulations, including the NYCPS’s Non-Discrimination Policy.
• Analyzes, studies, and prepares legal opinions on the effects of Federal, State, and City legislation in the areas of education law and employment discrimination.
• Identifies issues that require more legal analysis or review and refers them to the appropriate office.
• Drafts complex rules or regulations, including amendments to the NYCPS’s Non-Discrimination Policy.
• Works to ensure compliance with the NYCPS’s Non-Discrimination Policy and internal complaint procedures.
• Maintains an investigative caseload, particularly the investigation of complicated/high profile cases. School-based investigations may require travel to schools in any of the five boroughs.
• Writes investigative reports.
• Trains and supervises investigators, including accompanying investigators during interviews both in the office and in the field.
• Testifies at administrative hearings, civil depositions, or criminal trials on behalf of the Agency if warranted.
• Assists in training OEO staff on investigative processes and techniques, report writing, office policy, and intake procedures.
• Assists in monitoring the work flow of the unit, ensuring compliance with deadlines; prepares reports and summaries.

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

Preferred

• Overall knowledge of the NYCPS system and ability to advise and render legal opinions on educational policies and practices.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Strong written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized.

Salary

$110,500 - $121,550

(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.)

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *

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

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/.