OEO Disability Attorney

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OEO Disability Attorney

Tracking Code
13396
Job Description



Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEO), with latitude for independent action, serves as the Department of Education’s (DOE) primary resource for resolving issues, providing information, and responding to questions and concerns about reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities including DOE employees, applicants for employment, and DOE vendors. Performs related work.



Reports to: Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management



Direct Reports: N/A



Key Relationships: Acts as liaison with executives within the DOE and with federal, state, and city agencies regarding matters related to individuals with disabilities.



Responsibilities



Ensures that the DOE is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), New York State Human Rights Law (“NYHRL”), New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”), and other federal, state, and city laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities.
Reviews and analyzes requests for disability accommodations made by employees, applicants for employment, and DOE vendors.
Makes determinations as to whether to grant or deny medical accommodation requests under the ADA and other applicable federal, state, and city laws.
Assists with the implementation of a granted disability accommodation by liaising with the applicant’s supervisor.
Collaborates with personnel from DOE’s Medical Leaves and Records Administration in the evaluation and implementation of disability accommodation requests.
Maintains and reviews OEO’s disability accommodation files to ensure that all necessary documentation has been filed in accordance with OEO policies and procedures.
Serves as a liaison between OEO and both internal and external entities that request information regarding disability accommodation requests and disability discrimination investigations, including: New York City Law Department, Office of Legal Services (OLS), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), DOE’s Freedom of Information Law Unit (FOIL), DOE employees, various unions, members of the public, etc.
May provide testimony in federal, state, and city courts as well as administrative tribunals relating to DOE’s disability accommodation policies and/or OEO investigations into complaints of disability discrimination.
Collaborates with offices and administrators, external agencies, and advocacy groups to inform decision-making and ensure compliance with federal, state, and city mandates.
Serves as the primary point of contact regarding DOE”s compliance with the ADA’s prohibition against disability discrimination as well as its requirements pertaining to reasonable accommodations.
Conducts research and prepares legal briefs and memoranda on disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation law issues.
Advises on legal aspects of enforcement and administration of rules and regulations, including DOE’s reasonable accommodation policy.
Analyzes, studies, and prepares legal opinions on the effects of federal, state, and city legislation in the areas of disability discrimination and reasonable accommodations law.
Identifies issues that require more legal analysis or review and refers them to the appropriate office.
Drafts complex rules or regulations, including amendments to DOE’s reasonable accommodations policy.
Provides advice and counsel to the Executive Director on legal issues related to disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation law issues.Provides disability accommodation training for DOE employees and partners with DOE offices to disseminate related information.
Ensures that appropriate processes are in place to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of internal complaints of disability discrimination as well as inquiries from employees and the public pertaining to compliance with the ADA and other applicable federal, state, and city laws regarding discrimination on the basis of disability.
Provides continuing legal education (CLE) training on disability discrimination and reasonable accommodations law for DOE attorneys.
Receives, processes, and investigates internal disability discrimination complaints as well as other discrimination complaints from students, staff, parents and third-parties. Conducts interviews of all relevant parties to a complaint, including, but not limited to, the complainant, the respondent, witnesses, students, parents of students, and staff members. School-based investigations may require travel to schools in any of the five boroughs.
Analyzes complaints, develops investigative plans, conducts fact-finding, reviews documents, conducts related research, prepares related correspondence, and drafts and submits confidential reports containing investigative findings.
Works to ensure compliance with the DOE’s Non-Discrimination Policy and internal complaint procedures.



Qualification Requirements:



Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar AND three (3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar.



NOTE: Selected candidates must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their 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



Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and city disability accommodations laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, New York State Human Rights Law (“NYHRL”), New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).
Extensive experience providing advice, counsel, and training on disability accommodations law.
Overall knowledge of the NYC school system and ability to advise and render legal opinions on educational policies and practices.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication capabilities and interpersonal skills.
Highly organized.
Internal candidates preferred.



Salary: $85,000+

(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 submit 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 ****
Job Location
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

New Posting
Yes
Readvertisement
No
District
N/A
Job Group
N/A

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