Position Summary: Under the direction of the Legal Advisor, with wide latitude for independent action, the Mediation Coordinator will work to develop frameworks for promoting the New York State Education Department (NYSED)’s regulatory mandate for the use of mediation in special education Due Process hearings. The Mediation Coordinator will engage with schools – public, charter, and non-public – their staff, parents, and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) central employees to educate and encourage participation in dispute resolution. The Mediation Coordinator will work on improving existing websites, Impartial Hearing Office (IHO) notices, and other communications about the availability of mediation. The position will work with IHO staff to develop data collection and analysis tools to track information about mediation and will work directly with New York State Unified Court System Community Dispute Resolution Centers. Performs related work.
Reports to: Legal Advisor, Impartial Hearing Office
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships: New York State Education Department Community Dispute Resolution Centers, Office of The General Counsel’s (OGC’s) Special Education Unit and Impartial Hearing Order Implementation Unit, Committees on Special Education, Superintendent’s Offices (Administrators and Directors of Special Education), District 75 (D75), and District 79 (D79), IHO management team, Hearing Officers, the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings’ Special Education Hearings Division, IHO attorneys, case coordinators, legal coordinators, law interns, NYCPS staff, and NYSED.
Responsibilities
- Serves as a liaison between the Community Dispute Resolution Centers and the Superintendent Offices and Committees on Special Education to facilitate the mediation process.
- Manages the shared inbox for the filing of due process complaints with requests for mediation and questions related to mediation.
- Corresponds with parents and parent representatives regarding the filing of mediation requests and case status.
- Reviews Due Process Complaints (DPCs) filed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NYS Regulations 8 NYCRR 200, 201, 279, and NYC Chancellor’s Regulations and case records, and conduct outreach to parents, parent representatives and district representatives on cases that are deemed eligible for mediation to encourage the use of mediation.
- Refers requests for mediation to the appropriate Community Dispute Resolution Centers and track outcomes.
- Develops training materials and conduct training for parents and NYCPS staff regarding mediation of due process complaints.
- Supports the Legal Advisor and Senior Executive Director in developing public-facing analyses and reports for elected officials, press outlets, families, and communities.
- Provides Legal Advisor with data on review of due process complaints, outreach conducted, requests for mediation and outcomes of mediation referrals.
- Maintain knowledge of current Federal and NYS regulations on mediation of due process complaints.
- Review existing administrative processes and updates office guides regarding mediation, reference materials for the office, materials for families, and NYCPS internal and external webpages.
- Maintains appropriate records on mediation requests and outreach.
- Enter data on mediation in the Impartial Hearing case management system.
- Ensure that time-sensitive matters are handled promptly, especially when legal staff are unavailable.
- Act as a liaison with executives within the NYCPS and other City agencies.
Qualification Requirements:
Minimum
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Plus
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, individuals must have two additional years of the experience described in "1" above
Preferred
- Knowledge of IDEA, New York State Education Law §4401, New York State Regulations of the Commissioner, and the New York City Department of Education Chancellor’s Regulations.
- Maintain knowledge of current Federal and NYS regulations on mediation of due process complaints.
Salary: $69,844 - $76,828
(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.