POSITION SUMMARY: The Impartial Hearing Office Legal Associate will ensure timely and efficient processing of due process complaints. This assignment entails community outreach with parents and their representatives, various advocacy groups, New York State Mediation Centers, the Office of The General Counsel (OGC), Impartial Hearing Representation Office (IHRO), Committees on Special Education (CSEs), Field Support Centers (FSCs), District 75 (D75), District 79 (D79), and the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT). Candidate must have knowledge of the Department of Education (DOE) organizational structure as it relates to Special Education, e.g., knowledge of the Committees on Special Education (CSEs), Field Support Centers (FSCs), the OGC, and the IHRO. Performs related work.

REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief Administrator

DIRECT REPORTS: N/A

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Work closely with staff from the OGC, IHRO, CSEs, FSCs, D75, D79, and DIIT.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Corresponds with parents and their representatives, including public advocacy groups and attorneys regarding the status of legal cases.
• Conducts preliminary outreach to stakeholders, e.g., parents and their representatives, public advocacy groups, and attorneys, to garner additional information as required. 
• Coordinate and conduct training sessions for School District Representatives, DOE attorneys, and hearing officers.
• Maintains and updates as necessary, the list of available impartial hearing officers via the rotational selection process.
• Maintains appropriate records on cases filed for impartial hearings. 
• Utilizes and maintains Impartial Hearing System Cognos reports.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

MINIMUM

1. High School graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1"above.

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Paralegal Certificate Holder.
• Experience dealing with child advocacy issues.
• Experience in Special Education
• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Knowledge of Automate the Schools (ATS), Child Assistance Program (CAP), and the Special Education Student Information System (SESIS).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Efficient legal research skills.
• Internal candidates preferred.

SALARY: $37,121+

(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 OCTOBER 30, 2019 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 equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, caregiver status, consumer credit history, 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.  For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

Required Skills Required Experience

QUALIFICATIONS:

• For RNs: Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with 3-5 years of clinical nursing experience. Valid RN License in the State of CT without restriction. May require a CME accreditation in specific specialties
• Prior case and/or utilization management/care coordination and managed care experience preferred
• Certification in utilization or care management preferred
• Strong oral and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills required. Trained in the use of Motivational Interviewing techniques a plus
• Experience working in physician practice and/or with electronic medical records preferred
• Proficiency with the use of mobile technology (Smartphone, wireless laptop, etc.)
• Previous system user experience in a highly automated environment and strong personal computer literacy on Windows products required
• Bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Polish a plus
• Strong cross-group collaboration, teamwork, problem solving, and decision making skills
• Presentation, analytical and negotiation skills
• Manage a flexible work schedule to meet member and/or caregiver and departmental scheduling needs

ConnectiCare is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V

ConnectiCare is a drug-free workplace.  Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.