Assistant Counsel, Box OEP

Overview

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Education Policy is seeking candidates for an Assistant Counsel position in the Office of School Personnel Review & Accountability (OSPRA). This Office is responsible for preparing and prosecuting cases against teachers and school administrators who lack the moral character to hold such a credential pursuant to Education Law. OSPRA is also responsible for making determinations concerning whether employment clearances for school district employees should be issued based upon fingerprint supported criminal history background checks.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise the OSPRA legal unit and provide necessary supervisory support including but not limited to advice, guidance, and review of attorney work product;
• Provide legal support to OSPRA staff regarding policy, regulations and programmatic decisions related to OSPRA;
• Provide legal support to OSPRA attorneys on case investigations, evidentiary issues, and administrative hearings and appeals;
• Provide legal support to OSPRA investigators on investigations and evidentiary issues;
• Liaise with Office of Counsel on preparation of Board of Regents items;
• Participate in the management of office operations including policy, personnel decisions, staffing, supervision, customer service, correspondence, IT issues, planning, and decision-making;
• Assist the director with special projects, including appeals, vendor contracts, requests from internal and external customers as well as other Federal and State agencies, and ensuring OSPRA’s compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations;
• Assist the Director and Investigative Specialist 4 with preparing for and responding to audits by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Division of Criminal Justice Services, and others; and
• Assist the Director with reviewing, preparing, and responding to litigation and various requests for information and records from customers including and related to 3020-a, Freedom of Information Law, civil and grand jury subpoenas, and members of the National Clearinghouse.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar AND have six years of relevant, post-graduate experience, including significant trial work or administrative hearing experience, demonstrating progressively responsible experience in such areas, in addition to significant supervisor experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference may be given to candidates who have significant trial work experience handling criminal prosecutions and grand jury investigations, or significant involvement handling adversarial administrative hearings involving employment or licensure, and significant experience working on criminal or administrative investigations in a supervisory capacity.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This will be a temporary appointment. This position is in the exempt class and the incumbent will serve at the discretion of the Commissioner of Education. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of admission to the New York State Bar will be required at the time of interview for all candidates.

Candidates are required to possess of admission to the New York State Bar at the time of hire. Continued employment as an Assistant Counsel is dependent upon maintaining admission to the New York State Bar, including adhering to all relevant professional development and training requirements as specified by the Office of the Professions. Failure to maintain admission to the New York State Bar and current registration will result in removal from employment.

This position…