Position Summary: Under supervision, with latitude for independent action and decision-making, the Investigator will be responsible for supporting the unit head and the staff attorneys in the scheduling and processing and preparation of legal and labor matters related to employee misconduct and incompetence and contractual grievances. The Investigator will be responsible for the maintenance and preparation of documents and written reports that are prepared in conjunction with administrative proceedings. The Investigator works collaboratively with the unit head and the other staff attorneys and personnel to ensure an efficient and systematic approach to legal services and may serve as liaison to city, state and federal departments, as well as other agencies and officials within the Department of Education (DOE). Performs related work.
All personnel perform related work regardless of assignment type or level.
Reports to: Director of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
Direct Reports: Assignment to positions in Level 2 and Level 3 may require supervision of other investigators and/or support staff.
Key Relationships: Serves as liaison to the field locations and various union officials regarding disciplinary hearings and investigative personnel.
Responsibilities
Assignment Level 1
- Analyzes and evaluates documentation, case files and legal filings in connection with various Department of Education (DOE) administrative hearings.
- Maintains case records, prepare reports, and analyzes personnel records.
- Reviews case records and documentation necessary to respond to requests for disciplinary hearings; makes recommendations as to course of action.
- Assembles evidence and assists in researching issues for the DOE Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining and the NYC Office of the Corporation Counsel.
- Coordinates disciplinary hearings and implementation of monetary penalties; coordinates and organizes trial assignments and arbitrator calendar.
- Assists hearing officers in obtaining personnel and salary information relevant to grievance cases.
- Responds to inquiries from administrative officials at various DOE offices and schools.
- Responsible for managing and maintaining computer database of cases for the unit.
- Assists attorneys in trial preparation including, drafting charges, maintenance and preparation of documents for trial, witness preparation and evidence gathering.
- Primary point of contact for principals to request and schedule case conferences.
- Serves as liaison to American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), arbitrators and parties on initial case scheduling, adjournments, additional hearing dates and related matters.
- Maintains accurate, updated master calendar of all arbitration hearings, as well as proceedings before the Public Employment Relations Board ("PERB").
- Assists in implementation of new case management software system and assumes primary responsibility for its administration regarding arbitration and PERB cases.
Assignment Level 2
In addition to Assignment Level 1 responsibilities performs the following:
- May supervise other investigators and/or support staff.
- Guides subordinates on best investigative techniques to utilize based on each individual case.
- Responsible for reviewing and analyzing statistics and data findings to make recommendations and establish goals and workflow processes to ensure timely and quality service and identify areas for continuous improvement.
- Interprets DOE administrative rules and regulations and policies, as well as labor contract provisions related to due process procedures.
Assignment Level 3
In addition to Assignment Level 2 responsibilities performs the following:
- Supervises subordinate investigators and administrative staff.
- Independently generates reports utilizing all functions, such as input, edit, and manipulation of data, to produce detailed documents to assist with the tracking of special complaints and grievances.
- Oversees the day-to-day scheduling of grievances and grievance processes to ensure compliance with labor contract provisions and Department of Education rules and regulations.
- Monitors and maintains the grievance database.
- Compiles and analyzes data regarding grievance processes.
Qualification Requirements:
Minimum
- A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full-time experience in one or more of the fields of accounting, auditing, correction administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science, and security, or in a major operational area of the agency in which the appointment is to be made; or
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
- Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above.
Plus
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, individuals must have two additional years of the experience described in "1" above.
Preferred
- Strong computer systems skill needed to and maintain case databases and generate case reports using LexisNexis, Adobe Acrobat, and other software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong writing and organizational skills.
- Efficient legal research skills.
- Experience utilizing Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Salary: $80,494 - $84,994
(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.
