AMENDED 

POSITION SUMMARY: The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is seeking a Deputy Director to provide day-to-day supervision and support of OSI and its staff. OSI consists of a team staffed by talented and dedicated confidential investigators, in house attorneys and administrative professionals. Collectively, we work together to conduct highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption, misconduct, and other illegal, unethical, or improper activity, including corporal punishment and verbal abuse; time and leave abuse; nepotism; conflicts of interest; fraud and financial irregularities; inappropriate use of the internet/DOE computer equipment; testing and academic improprieties; and other matters referred by the Chancellor or the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation. OSI’s goal is to investigate such allegations in a fair, thorough, and timely manner.

As part of the OSI leadership team, the Deputy Director provides oversight of all phases of our investigations; manages all OSI staff, whether directly or indirectly; and participates in the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures impacting the investigatory functions and overall operations of OSI. The Deputy Director is expected to provide both legal and investigative oversight and advice; review, assess and assign incoming cases; provide direction related to individual cases; and review reports of investigative findings. Performs related work.

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Investigations

DIRECT REPORTS: Associate Director, Assistant Director, and OSI administrative support staff

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Functions as liaison to organizational units in the Department and other governmental and regulatory agencies on matters under investigation; collaborates and cooperates with law enforcement authorities at all levels of government on joint investigations, exchange of information and evidence, case referrals or other dispositions, as appropriate. Coordinates with other DOE offices to remain abreast of changes in DOE policy affecting the Office’s function and role.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees and supports the day-to-day activities of Team Leaders and Confidential Investigators charged with conducting and documenting investigations that may lead to administrative, disciplinary or criminal action against Department personnel and contract vendors, and develops guidelines, benchmarks, and standards for conducting investigations.
• Initiates discussions regarding the necessity for investigation, the scope and depth of investigations and the strategies to be followed, as well as evaluation of the results of individual investigations and the determination of actions to be taken, such as disciplinary action, legal action, or referral to law enforcement authorities.
• Oversees and supports all activities of the OSI Attorneys, including providing strategic direction and reviewing investigative reports to ensure that all allegations have been addressed, all necessary witnesses have been interviewed, and the investigation was thoroughly and equitably conducted.
• Provides strategic, legal, and investigative guidance, and ensures office-wide consistency in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, codes, and policies.
• Identifies and assesses best practices, including new investigative strategies, trends, and technologies, and makes recommendations to the Director regarding implementation.
• Provides advice on policies and procedures governing internal operations and relationships with other DOE offices, as well as outside agencies and organizations, and responds to inquiries from the press office and the Chancellor’s Office, as requested.
• Assists in determining the best OSI organizational structure necessary to fulfill its functions and responsibilities; the allocation of resources to functions and organizational components within the office; review of staff performance; and implementation of change management to increase operational efficiency and enhance performance.
• Functions as liaison to DOE Senior Field Counsels, Community Superintendents and their staff members, and other DOE offices.
• Works collaboratively with the Director to oversee complex FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) and New York City Law Department requests for documents and information contained in OSI records; ensures the preservation of all relevant OSI records and information in response to litigation holds.
• Coordinates the monitoring of issues that may arise from the arrest of an employee. Establishes and maintains working relationships with the Office of Legal Services, Division of Human Capital, and Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation, in order to track each arrest through the court system.
• Assists with providing professional development and related materials to principals and administrators, to ensure compliance with the mandates of Chancellor’s Regulations A-420 and A-421.
• Coordinates the provision of advice to the Chancellor on investigative issues and the provision of policy recommendations to the Chancellor regarding matters within OSI's scope of inquiry. Assists in the evaluation of existing and proposed procedures to detect, deter, control, and prevent corruption, illegal, unethical, and improper activities within the school system.
• Ensures that OSI staff consult with the DOE Ethics Officer regarding Conflict of Interest issues and oversees OSI staff in their investigations regarding Conflict of Interest issues.
• Performs other related functions necessary to the effective management and operations of OSI.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

MINIMUM

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, of which eighteen months must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing complex legal work.

NOTE: Must remain a member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE A CLIENT WITH A LEGAL OR BUSINESS MATTER PENDING AGAINST, BEFORE OR WITH THE DOE MUST OBTAIN SUCH CLIENT’S CONSENT TO APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DOE.  IF INVITED TO INTERVIEW FOR THIS POSITION, SUCH APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THE NATURE OF SUCH MATTERS AT THE INTERVIEW.  

PREFERRED

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Seven years of satisfactory full-time experience conducting criminal or civil investigations to identify or gather evidence of criminal activity or fraud; verify or evaluate qualifications of persons for employment or licensure; and/or assess allegations of employee misconduct.
• Knowledge of the NYC school system and ability to advise and render legal opinions on educational policies and practices.
• In-depth knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures coupled with the supervisory experience necessary to direct various types of internal investigations.
• Established success in managing, engaging, and developing staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, e.g., Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to track and analyze large quantities of case-related data.
• Internal candidates preferred.

SALARY: $107,203 - $123,283

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

PLEASE INCLUDE A RESUME AND COVER LETTER WITH YOUR APPLICATION. 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED.

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, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.  Inquiries regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Required Skills Required Experience

• Highly organized, self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently with little or no instruction, as well as an ability to work in a team setting.
• Valid driver's license, background check and drug-screen required.