Special Education Case Management Legal Intern, OGC - 26711

Position Summary: Under the close supervision of Special Counsel within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Special Education Case Management office with some latitude for independent judgment and decision-making, the Attorney Interne performs legal work and supports compliance with settlements in L.V. v. NYCDOE, JSM v. NYCDOE, individual federal court actions regarding impartial hearing order implementation, and general compliance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), New York State Education Law, and New York State Education Department Commissioners Regulations, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Performs related work.

Reports to: Special Counsel

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Supports Special Counsel under the direction of the Executive Deputy Counsel of Special Education Case Management (OGC-SECM). Works closely with OGC-SECM Offices - Impartial Hearing Office (IHO), Impartial Hearing Office Implementation Unit (IU), Enhanced Rate Equitable Services Unit (ERES Unit), Special Education Unit (SEU) – Due Process Litigation, Federal Cases, Appeals, Office of the Auditor General (OAG), DIAL Special Education Offices – Committees on Special Education (CSE), Administrators for Special Education (ASE/DSE), District 75 (D75), and District 79 (D79), School Finance and Human Resources, Office of Related Services (ORS), Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT), Office of Student Health (OSH), Office of Student Enrollment (OSE), Division of Financial Operations (DFO), Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT), New York State Education Department (NYSED) – Office of State Review (OSR) and Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA).

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research assigned by Special Counsel, including review of legal cases, opinions, decisions, legal and policy guidance documents.
• Assist Special Counsel in preparing legal arguments and documents, such as memoranda, motions, pleadings, briefs, subpoenas, etc.
• Summarize audits and court reports prepared by Court Appointed Auditor and Special Master.
• Draft response letters to New York State Education Department Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) complaints and Compliance Assurance Plans (CAPs).
• May attend court hearings to support Agency Attorneys and New York City Law Department; review documents, transcripts, and exhibits in preparation for court hearings.
• Under supervision of Special Counsel:
• research state and federal case law and implications for compliance;
• review case records and reports pertaining to the implementation of impartial hearing orders;
• draft legal memoranda for submission to Special Counsel summarizing procedural case history, applicable laws and regulations, and recommendations and
• draft response letters for various legal matters, such as FOIL requests or requests for student records.
• Assist Special Counsel with monitoring workflow, ensuring compliance with multiple deadlines, and preparing internal reports and summaries.
• Review existing administrative processes and assist with creating comprehensive training guides and reference materials for the office.
• May be assigned to review City, State, and Federal proposed regulation changes and analyze impacts to the office and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS).
  

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar.

Note: This class of positions has a maximum two year term.

Plus

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, individuals must have two additional years of relevant work experience.

Preferred

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Efficient legal research skills.
  
  

Salary: $78,195 - $82,558

(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.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

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

• New York City Residency is NOT Required *
  
  

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.

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 ODA@schools.nyc.gov. 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/.