Health Attorney

The Community Service Society (CSS) seeks Attorneys to staff a new Ombudsprogram for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Health Initiatives Department. The Community Service Society (CSS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has been at the forefront of public policy innovations that support low-income New Yorkers for over 175 years. CSS's Health Initiatives Department runs a number of statewide programs that help New Yorkers find and use their health insurance or otherwise access health care and services, including Community Health Advocates (CHA); the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP); the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN); and several enrollment assistance programs. These programs are free for New Yorkers. In 2024, the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) issued a proposal to establish and operate an independent, conflict-free consumer assistance program (Ombudsman) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuant to 33.28 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

CSS is seeking dedicated and experienced individuals to serve as the IDD Ombuds program's Attorneys to provide assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and representatives as they access services from OPWDD.

Job Description:

• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to clients on how to successfully access the services offered by OPWDD.
• Represent clients as they seek to use the OPWDD system.
• Respond to live calls from consumers, family members, or their representatives on the IDD Ombudsprogram Helpline.
• Develop cutting-edge legal strategies and policy remedies that address the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and representatives.
• Draft resources for consumers, family members, advocates, providers, and others, as needed.
• Prepare training materials and fact sheets, as needed.
• Maintain thorough case records of services provided or referrals.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities identified by the program.

Job Requirements

• Graduate degree in law required, admitted to New York State Bar preferred.
• Lived or significant work experience concerning issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of two year's experience providing assistance to consumers and/or advocates on issues concerning people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, health insurance, or health care or disability access issues is required.
• Extraordinary organizational skills are required.
• Ability to write clearly, and concisely and keep detailed notes of all communications.
• Mission-driven, with strong communication, research and advocacy skills required.
• Proficient in MS Office and SalesForce database management skills preferred.
• Ability to speak, type, and write clearly, concisely, and persuasively and keep detailed notes of all communications required.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or other languages is strongly preferred.
• Competency with Office Suite and Salesforce database preferred.

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary for this position is $84,710.00. Community Service Society provides a comprehensive employee benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits plan, EAP, and more in addition to paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days.

CSS currently offers a hybrid work environment requiring onsite work at CSS' office at least two days per week and three days per work remote work.