Supervising Special Education Hearing Officer
About The Position
The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is seeking to hire two Supervising Special Education Hearing Officers. These officers will manage OATH special education impartial hearing officers (IHOs) in the administration of special education impartial due process hearings for students with disabilities, aged 3-21. This role involves overseeing all adjudicatory activities related to the impartial hearing process for parents, guardians, or school districts seeking relief under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and/or Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act. The Supervising Special Education Hearing Officers will also serve as senior advisors to the Deputy Commissioner of the Division on policy and legal matters. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) establishes due process procedures for resolving disagreements between parents and school districts regarding a student with a disability's identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of a free appropriate public education. These disagreements can be resolved through an impartial hearing, a formal process where parties present and refute evidence before a hearing officer.
Requirements
- Admission to the New York State Bar.
- Four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.
- Eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
- Must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
- Must attain NYSED impartial hearing officer certification promptly upon hiring and maintain such certification for the duration of this employment.
Nice To Haves
- New York State Education Department impartial hearing officer training (provided after hiring)
- Additional training (provided after hiring)
Responsibilities
- Manage all pre- and post-hearing adjudicatory activities to ensure timely determinations regarding students’ services.
- Monitor the activities and timeline of cases handled by Special Education Hearing Officers.
- Assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Assist in the preparation and coordination of necessary notices and documentation to ensure full due process rights for students with disabilities.
- Act as a continuing training and educational resource for Special Education Hearing Officers regarding changes in federal and state laws, regulations, and decisions from federal and state courts and the NYSED Office of State Review.
- Develop public-facing analyses and reports for elected officials, press outlets, families, and communities.
- Conduct hearings remotely and in person, evaluating evidence, and maintaining administrative courtroom procedures.
- Conduct settlement conferences between parents and the New York City Department of Education.
- Issue written decisions.
- Conduct legal research on state and federal education laws, the IDEA, and special education programs.
- Handle special assignments and projects, including oral and/or written presentations.
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism and effectiveness in ensuring assigned matters are handled promptly.
Benefits
- Training at no cost to candidates after hiring
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
