Legal Assistant 1 / Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS)

*This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

Current New York State Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service as a Legal Assistant 1 and are interested in reassignment; OR current New York State employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service in a position at SG-12 or above and eligible for transfer under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Trainee 1: High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.

Trainee 2:High school or high school equivalency diploma AND two years of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.

Journey Level: Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see "definition" below).
Definition: a Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles, and uses information from legal materials to provide both written and verbal comments on their findings; and analyzes and handles routine procedural problems independently with minimal attorney oversight.
Examples of non-qualifying experience: receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, office manager.

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to complete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Duties Description Individual will assist in providing professional support to attorneys. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Draft legal review outcome letters based upon attorney direction;
• Process incoming and returned mail, including requests for administrative appeals;
• Correspond with criminal courts to request and obtain case information and documentation;
• Draft and process the issuance of administrative subpoenas and ensure accurate record keeping of records obtained in response.
• Draft correspondence for attorneys;
• Maintain and update as appropriate agency database and unit data tracking tools;
• Provide telephone support regarding unit questions using database, statute and regulations for guidance;
• Maintain files ensuring materials are in electronic and paper case folders as appropriate and consistent with retention polices;
• Maintain unit calendars and staff meeting agendas, and other administrative support tasks as requested
• Make travel arrangements for attorneys and process expense reports;
• Such other duties as may be required or assigned

Additional Comments Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via e-mail at Info@goer.ny.gov

This position is eligible for $3,400 location pay.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Human Resources / LB

Telephone

Fax 518-549-0462

Email Address jc.sm.hrresumes@justicecenter.ny.gov

Address

Street 161 Delaware Avenue

City Delmar

State NY

Zip Code 12054

Notes on Applying Please submit cover letter along with a clear and concise resume detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as listed in Specifics and indicate the Position Title & Vacancy ID number for which you are applying.