TECHNICAL ADVISOR II - 4525200

Job Responsibilities

Under general direction of the Legal Advocacy Services Director, this Special Education Attorney and in cooperation with the Special Education Advocate and Special Education Paralegal conducts legal reviews of cases eligible for Legal Advocacy Services; consults with and advises attorneys, judges, medical professionals, eligible persons with disabilities and other interested parties on the Commission's programs and services; coordinates and disseminates information to service providers, community groups, professional associations and recipients of Special Education services; serves as an information resource contact for Special Education services; conducts technical research, compiles data and drafts findings; travels to attend meetings. May require working from several GAC offices in the Peoria County and Sangamon County catchment area.

30%  1.  Conducts legal reviews of Special Education cases eligible for Legal Advocacy Services; determines eligible persons' rights and initiates or participates in legal procedures to enforce compliance with Federal and State Special Education Law, Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, Illinois Education and School Law and related mental health laws.  As Special Education Attorney, will provide brief written and telephone advice, oral and written advocacy, direct representation at IEP meetings, medications and expulsion hearings, direct representation in due process hearings in State or Federal court.  Systemic litigation and advocacy training will be provided on special education law, client interviewing as needed and our internal case management system.

25%  2.  As Special Education Attorney, will provide brief written and telephone adivce, oral and written advocacy, direct representation at IEP meetings, mediations and explulson hearings, direct representation in due process hearings or federl court. Systemic litigation and advocacy training will be provided on special education law, client interviewing and our internal case management system. The Attorney will also assist in supervision of the Special Education Advocate and paralegal.

20%  3. Consults with and advises attorneys, judges, medical professionals, eligible persons with disabilities and other interested parties on the Commission's programs and services; interprets and explains the legal rights of eligible disabled persons; answers difficult questions involving the application of GAC policies and procedures .

10%  4. Coordinates and disseminates information to service providers, community groups, professional associations and recipients of mental health services concerning legal interpretations of the rights of persons with disabilities; summarizes various provisions of pertinent statues and regulations; travels to attend meetings.

10%  5.  Conducts technical research, compiles data and drafts detailed findings.

05%  6.  Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of those enumerated above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Requires a license to practice law in the State of Illinois and in Illinois Federal Court; requires graduation from a recognized law school; previous special education litigation experience required; requires knowledge of relevant administrative, statutory and case law references to provide effective assistance to eligible clients at administrative, trial and appellate levels. Four years of Special Education litigation and representation experience preferred.  Requires ability to be flexible in the application of strategy and tactics to administrative and judicial proceedings and to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Requires the ability to interact forcefully yet cordially with other professionals, judicial officers and eligible clients. Requires ability to interpret rules and regulations and propose solutions to administrative questions.