Chief Counsel for the Office of Special Education (PED# 45936)
Apply NowCompany: State of New Mexico
Location: Santa Fe, NM 87507
Description:
$45.07 - $72.11 Hourly
$93,738 - $149,980 Annually
This position is a Pay Band LI
Posting Details
The Office of General Counsel serves to support the Public Education Department (PED) by providing legal services and support to PED's executive leadership and staff of the varying divisions of the PED. The Office of General Counsel's special education legal team operates to support the Office of Special education within the Public Education Department with varying legal and administrative services education laws and rules.
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of the closing date.
All positions at the NM Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe, however some may operate through our Albuquerque office based on home address and space availability.
MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.
Why does the job exist?
The Office of General Counsel's special education legal team operates to support the Office of Special education within the Public Education Department with varying legal and administrative services including:
(1) Administering the Special Education Dispute Resolution Programs required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including: Due Process Hearings, State Complaint Investigations, Mediations, and Facilitated IEP meetings;
(2) Administering other administrative hearings related to the IDEA and state special education laws and rules;
(3) Supervising Office of General Counsel employees responsible for supporting the administration of dispute resolution programs described above;
(4) Providing direct legal services and support to the Office of Special Education and the Public Education Department more generally in matters related to special education and programmatic and fiscal compliance with the IDEA and state special education laws and rules.
(5)Legal support to the IDEA Advisory Panel with all open meeting compliance matters; and
(6) participating in and supporting the Office of General Counsel in litigation related to special education and the IDEA
How does it get done?
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1) Provide oversight and supervision of the formal and informal dispute resolution system and those OGC employees responsible
for those duties;
2) Defending the Department through the presentation of supportive evidence and legal precedence in administrative due
process hearings, state and federal court;
3) Reviewing technical assistance manuals, investigative reports, corrective action plans, determinations submitted by the Office of Special Education to public school districts and charter schools for legal sufficiency;
4) Drafting of various rules pertaining to programmatic and fiscal aspects of special education; and
5) Conducting legal research and providing legal advice to executive staff of the OSE and PED.
Who are the customers?
Customers or clients are primarily Office of Special Education and Public Education Department executive staff.
Additionally, the Chief Counsel will also frequently interact with other stakeholders, including school district and charter school administration, parents and guardians of students with disabilities, attorneys representing both parents and school districts, and staff from other state agencies which also serve students with disabilities in varying capacities.
Ideal Candidate
Preferred Candidate will have experience in the following areas:
1) 2-3 years experience supervising employees in a legal setting;
2) Legal experience in the area of special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or other federal grant programs;
2) legal representation of government entities;
3) providing legal representation of clients before administrative tribunals, state and federal court.
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited- license/
Substitution Table
No substitutions. Must possess required licensure, certification or registration and required number of years of experience
Employment Requirements
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Miguel Lozano Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
$93,738 - $149,980 Annually
This position is a Pay Band LI
Posting Details
The Office of General Counsel serves to support the Public Education Department (PED) by providing legal services and support to PED's executive leadership and staff of the varying divisions of the PED. The Office of General Counsel's special education legal team operates to support the Office of Special education within the Public Education Department with varying legal and administrative services education laws and rules.
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of the closing date.
All positions at the NM Public Education Department are based in Santa Fe, however some may operate through our Albuquerque office based on home address and space availability.
MISSION: EQUITY, EXCELLENCE AND RELEVANCE - The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that ALL students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
VISION: ROOTED IN OUR STRENGTHS - Students in New Mexico are engaged in a culturally and linguistically responsive educational system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of ALL students.
Why does the job exist?
The Office of General Counsel's special education legal team operates to support the Office of Special education within the Public Education Department with varying legal and administrative services including:
(1) Administering the Special Education Dispute Resolution Programs required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including: Due Process Hearings, State Complaint Investigations, Mediations, and Facilitated IEP meetings;
(2) Administering other administrative hearings related to the IDEA and state special education laws and rules;
(3) Supervising Office of General Counsel employees responsible for supporting the administration of dispute resolution programs described above;
(4) Providing direct legal services and support to the Office of Special Education and the Public Education Department more generally in matters related to special education and programmatic and fiscal compliance with the IDEA and state special education laws and rules.
(5)Legal support to the IDEA Advisory Panel with all open meeting compliance matters; and
(6) participating in and supporting the Office of General Counsel in litigation related to special education and the IDEA
How does it get done?
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1) Provide oversight and supervision of the formal and informal dispute resolution system and those OGC employees responsible
for those duties;
2) Defending the Department through the presentation of supportive evidence and legal precedence in administrative due
process hearings, state and federal court;
3) Reviewing technical assistance manuals, investigative reports, corrective action plans, determinations submitted by the Office of Special Education to public school districts and charter schools for legal sufficiency;
4) Drafting of various rules pertaining to programmatic and fiscal aspects of special education; and
5) Conducting legal research and providing legal advice to executive staff of the OSE and PED.
Who are the customers?
Customers or clients are primarily Office of Special Education and Public Education Department executive staff.
Additionally, the Chief Counsel will also frequently interact with other stakeholders, including school district and charter school administration, parents and guardians of students with disabilities, attorneys representing both parents and school districts, and staff from other state agencies which also serve students with disabilities in varying capacities.
Ideal Candidate
Preferred Candidate will have experience in the following areas:
1) 2-3 years experience supervising employees in a legal setting;
2) Legal experience in the area of special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or other federal grant programs;
2) legal representation of government entities;
3) providing legal representation of clients before administrative tribunals, state and federal court.
Minimum Qualification
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited- license/
Substitution Table
No substitutions. Must possess required licensure, certification or registration and required number of years of experience
Employment Requirements
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting: late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Miguel Lozano Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.