Legal Assistant 1 (NYHELPS)

$54,860 - $66,634/Yr

State of New York - Albany, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

Onsite - Albany, NY

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Legal Assistant 1 (NYHELPS) position at the New York State Civil Service is a full-time role that provides essential paralegal support services under the direction and supervision of an attorney or a Legal Assistant 2. This position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS), which allows for non-competitive appointments, meaning candidates do not need to take an examination to qualify. However, they must meet the minimum qualifications for the title. Employees hired under this program will eventually have their status converted to competitive without needing to compete in an examination, thus gaining the rights and privileges of competitive class employees in New York State. The Legal Assistant 1 will play a crucial role in ensuring that the legal work of the Office of Counsel is accomplished efficiently and in a timely manner. This includes drafting legal documents such as affidavits and correspondence, preparing responses to program managers on routine legal matters, and handling cases to determine their status and legal authority. The incumbent will also be responsible for preparing, organizing, and maintaining case files, records, and documentation, as well as securing information on court sessions and administrative hearing calendars. Additionally, the role involves researching and analyzing a wide variety of legal sources to support the legal staff effectively. This position is located in Albany, NY, and operates within a structured workweek from Monday to Friday, with a total of 37.5 hours per week. The workday is from 9 AM to 5 PM, and while telecommuting is allowed, there are no options for flextime, mandatory overtime, or a compressed workweek. The salary range for this position is between $54,860 and $66,634 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide necessary support to the Department's legal staff to ensure efficient and timely legal work.
• Draft legal documents such as affidavits and correspondence, and prepare responses to program managers on routine legal matters.
• Handle cases to determine case status and legal authority.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain case files, records, and case documentation.
• Secure information on court sessions and calendars, administrative hearing calendars, and time-limited documentation, keeping legal staff informed of deadlines.
• Research and analyze a wide variety of legal sources.

Requirements

• Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant, applying knowledge of law and legal procedures to assist lawyers, clients, and courts.
• An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
• An associate degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the ABA, along with one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
• Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will also meet the educational and experience requirements.