(THOSE WHO PREVIOUSLY APPLIED NEED NOT RE-APPLY)

AMENDED_ _

POSITION SUMMARY: The New York City public school system is the largest in the country, composed of approximately 1.1 million students and 75,000+ teachers in over 1,800 schools.

The New York City Department of Education promotes the participation of parents, families, and communities in the education of children with special needs. There may be times when a parent or guardian will have a concern related to his or her child's education and the services offered by the Department. If this concern cannot be resolved between the district and the parent, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides parents with the means to address special education concerns, including requesting a due process hearing.

The Impartial Hearing Representation Office (IHRO), in the Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support (DSISS), is responsible for the coordination and management of various aspects of the impartial hearing process. This includes representing the NYCDOE at impartial hearings; collecting, managing and analyzing hearing-related data; and working closely with key NYCDOE partners, including the Office of Legal Services (OLS), Committees on Special Education (CSEs), Office of Field Support (OFS), and other teams within DSISS on all matters related to impartial hearings.

Impartial Hearing Representatives represent the DOE in impartial hearings and all associated proceedings held before Impartial Hearing Officers. Impartial Hearing Representatives play a critical role in managing due process cases and partnering with Field Support Center (FSC) Directors of Special Education, FSC Administrators of Special Education (ASEs), CSEs, District 75 (D75), and OLS to investigate, understand, resolve, and settle cases, and prepare for hearings, as appropriate. Performs related work.

REPORTS TO: Managing Hearing Representative

DIRECT REPORTS:  N/A

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:  Works closely with the Managing Hearing Representative; FSC Administrators of Special Education; FSC Directors of Special Education; the CSEs; D75; OLS; parents and their representatives, and other stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages impartial hearing cases from the filing of a complaint through conclusion.

• Represents the DOE at impartial hearings initiated on behalf of students with disabilities and hearings initiated on behalf of District 1-32 schools and/or CSE 1.

• Confers with special education specialists, technical experts, and attorneys, including counsel for litigants.

• Analyzes the relative strength of impartial hearing cases and evaluates the appropriateness of plaintiffs’ demands.

• Appears at pre-hearing conferences and all hearing dates.

• Prepares preliminary reports, summaries, and recommendations pertaining to cases.

• Reviews due process complaints (DPCs) and creates a case file, including all relevant documents related to the student’s IEP and special education program and services; examines and analyzes educational records and documents, case files, legal filings and all other relevant information; and uses independent judgment to make recommendations about approaches and strategies to appropriately respond to cases.

• Corresponds with parents, their representatives and other stakeholders, as appropriate.

• Works closely with the FSC Directors of Special Education, FSC Administrators of Special Education, CSEs, D75, and OLS partners, as well as directly with schools, on case investigation, witness identification, information gathering, and hearing preparation.

• Reviews student records; makes school visits in order to investigate allegations in due process complaints, and gathers information about students’ special education program and services.

• Consults with FSC Administrators of Special Education, FSC Directors of Special education, and CSEs regarding resolution of DPCs. Participates in the review of resolution agreements to address special education issues raised in the DPC.

• Consults with OLS attorneys regarding issues relating to the settlement of DPCs and/or for support in legal strategy and research regarding issues relating to hearings.

• Interviews relevant IEP team members, including School Psychologists, Special Education Teachers, and Related Service Providers, to discuss special education program and services.

• Compiles conference sheet for case conference with Managing Hearing Representative and other staff to develop hearing strategies for each case.

• In conjunction with management team, develops and implements plans for hearings, compiling evidence, writing opening statements and witness questions, and preparing witnesses for hearing.

• Represents the DOE in the hearing at all hearing dates for assigned cases, including pendency hearings, pre-hearing conferences, and substantive hearing dates. Secures witnesses and evidence for hearings. Conducts direct- and cross-examination of witnesses brought by the DOE and the parent at hearing.

• Assists in compiling fact and legal memoranda regarding cases upon request of Impartial Hearing Officer; prepares closings, including closing memoranda when required.

• Maintains records and collects data about due process complaints and impartial hearings.

• Develops and maintains expertise in DOE services and programs designed for students with disabilities; special education law, policy, and practices; City, State, and Federal law and policy associated with parents’ due process rights and the impartial hearing process; programs and services offered in DOE schools or in New York State Education Department (SED)-approved non-public schools, as well as programs and services offered in non-approved private schools.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

MINIMUM

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) 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 (6) 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 (1) year of experience as described in “1” above.

PREFERRED

• Strong strategic thinking, project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to proactively identify key issues and risks.
• Prior experience teaching, working with students with disabilities, working as a social worker;
• Prior legal experience as a paralegal, lawyer, or legal advocate, or background in legal studies.
• Strong customer service orientation and analytical thinker with experience in situational problem-solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to organize facts and present information in a clear, concise, and logical manner; ability to think and respond quickly in occasionally contentious situations.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with constituents and represent the IHRO and the NYCDOE internally and externally.
• Ability to learn quickly and continuously; responsive to feedback.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team.
• Extremely well-organized with the ability to meet frequent, changing and often challenging deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Ability to use interpersonal skills, credibility, and integrity to engage diverse individuals to reach consensus.
• Flexible, optimistic approach committed to overcoming obstacles.
• Foreign language skills.
• Experience or working knowledge of the public sector and/or interest in public education.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Internal candidates preferred

SALARY: $70,000+

(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 THROUGH DECEMBER 7, 2018 UNTIL 3:00 P.M.

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