(THOSE WHO PREVIOUSLY APPLIED NEED NOT RE-APPLY) 

POSITION SUMMARY: Under general supervision of the Deputy Director of the Special Education Unit, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, performs responsible work in the supervision and/or performance of various outreach work related to the Legal Services Special Education Initiative; performs assigned tasks to ensure the delivery and implementation of special education services. Performs related work.

REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Office of Legal Services – Special Education Unit

DIRECT REPORTS: Field and Central SEU Legal Associate staff

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: The Special Education Legal Coordinator will work closely with the Special Education Managing Attorney and other Legal Services staff in support of special education personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A Special Education Legal Coordinator may be designated to work in one of the following two assignments:

SEU Central Legal Coordinator

• Works with public advocacy groups, parents and private attorneys to arrive at mutually beneficial settlements and ensure timely implementation of settlement agreements.
• Conducts outreach to other units in SEU, parents and their representatives, including public advocates and attorneys regarding the status of impartial hearing cases filed.
• Collects, examines and analyzes documents for claims filed by private attorneys and negotiate special education claims; provide guidance to subordinate staff on appropriate procedures for working with parents in preparing stipulations of settlement.
• Prepares preliminary reports and recommendations pertaining to case management.
• Supervises subordinate personnel engaged in the review and processing of special education settlement agreements submitted by parents.
• Reviews all decisions issued following impartial hearings; tracks and reports outcomes.
• Reviews various data systems and coordinates with other Legal Services staff to ensure reconciliation and accurate reporting.
• Examines and analyzes documents for legal fee claims filed by private attorneys and negotiates special education claims; provides guidance to subordinate staff on appropriate procedures for working with parents in preparing stipulations of settlement.
• Coordinates with other DOE offices to develop and maintain database and perform data analysis; tracks and reports on work within the office to ensure unit compliance with timelines.
• Coordinates with other DOE offices to develop and maintain databases to track and report on work within the office.

SEU CSE Legal Coordinator

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• Supervises subordinate personnel engaged in the review and completion of special education due process claims submitted by parents.
• Corresponds with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of legal cases filed by parents and their representatives.
• Maintains appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings.
• Prepares and reviews reports that inform management of due process hearing issues and summarizes information related to case filings and scheduling.
• Utilizes computer systems to assist in the processing of due process complaints.
• Supervises and coordinates work schedules and assignments; serves as a consultant on difficult special education cases.
• Examines and analyzes records and documents, case files, and legal filings in connection with various administrative proceedings involving the Department of Education special education impartial hearings; interprets internal Special Education Unit policy and procedures to subordinate staff.
• Works closely with managing attorneys to maintain protocols and procedures.
• Reviews case records and documentation necessary to respond to requests for impartial hearings.
• Recommends settlement of special education claims.
• Prepares preliminary reports and recommendations pertaining to cases.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

PREFERRED 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Efficient investigative and research skills.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with database building and maintenance using Microsoft Access.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Excel and Word).  
• Internal candidates preferred.

SALARY: $53,961+   

PLEASE INCLUDE A RESUME AND COVER LETTER WITH YOUR APPLICATION. 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED. WE ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 

NOTE: THE FILLING OF ALL POSITIONS IS SUBJECT TO BUDGET AVAILABILITY AND/OR GRANT FUNDING. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law. Inquiries regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 923, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Required Skills Required Experience

Bachelor degree in discipline related to functional work or role with 5-7 years of relevant work experience OR demonstrated ability to meet the job requirements through a comparable number of years of applicable work experience.

Able to apply broad work experience and knowledge when analyzing complex problems.  Must be able consistently identify critical elements, variables and alternatives to develop solutions.  Must be able to organize/prioritize existing resources and incorporate new information, as needed, to implement the most effective solutions. Able to communicate clearly and courteously with those who need to know of decisions/actions/problems.  Able to apply excellent business acumen and collaborative skills when resolving problems.

Able to apply excellent functional computer knowledge in utilizing Microsoft Windows, MAC, or other technical tools in completing assignments.  Experience in Amtech ERP system preferred.  Able to apply expertise in all the tools or applications used to complete work assignments.  Able to mentor junior level team members in the use of tools and/or systems in the position.

Requires excellent communication skills with ability to state messages in a clear manner by using language that is easy for others to understand.   Able to explain programs policies and procedures in language that is understood by others.

Must be able to modify communication style both formal and informal to match the appropriate level of the audience targeted.  Requires strong understanding of the impact of a message on the organization or customer. Able to write with the clarity and precision necessary for the work being performed.

OTJ-CS