Paralegal/FOIL - Full & Part-Time

About the position

The Paralegal/FOIL position is a paraprofessional role within the City of Rochester's Law Department, primarily responsible for supporting the administration of the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) process. This role involves assisting with public access to city records, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and providing administrative support to municipal attorneys. The position requires a combination of legal knowledge, administrative skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in FOIL administration, including writing letters to requesters and creating trial folders.
• Evaluating new FOIL requests for records and assigning them to appropriate departments.
• Reviewing records to determine relevance and disclosability under the Public Officers Law.
• Maintaining a calendar of statutory FOIL response deadlines for each request.
• Preparing written information such as status reports and correspondence for the department.
• Arranging pickups or deliveries of records and collecting statutory fees when applicable.
• Communicating with attorneys, city departments, and the public regarding FOIL requests.
• Assisting municipal attorneys with research and preparation of legal actions related to FOIL.
• Conducting legal research using various databases and government records.
• Serving as a Notary Public.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• Associate's degree in Legal Assistant or Paralegal Studies and at least one year of experience as a litigation paralegal; OR
• Associate or Bachelor's degree with a Certificate in Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies and at least one year of experience; OR
• Certificate in Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies from an ABA-approved program and at least two years of experience; OR
• At least four years of experience as a litigation paralegal.
• Possession of a valid Notary Public license issued by the New York Department of State.

Benefits

• Competitive salary ranging from $56,097 to $74,360 per year.
• Potential for full-time or part-time employment options.
• City residency required within one year of hire.