Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)
- New York City, NY
- $47,695-68,630 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Prepare, file, and serve legal documents, including but not limited to Notices of Entry from draft text using the correct legal format.
- Keep records calendar in order to meet court-specified deadlines for document filing.
- Maintain and update case files.
- Proofread documents for correct legal terminology, context, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and question issues of law which appear unclear.
- Maintain contact with court personnel to set up court dates, serve papers in a legally sufficient and timely manner, and keep abreast of changes in filing and format requirements.
- Assist with e-filing documents in NYSCEF and monitoring section cases in NYSCEF.
- Assemble motion exhibits, appellate briefs, and appendices.
- Prepare initial UI appeal case files.
- Maintain and/or oversee tracking systems, calendars, and reporting systems.
- Open and close files or cases and/or oversee the process of opening, closing, and archiving files and cases.
- Perform activities related to docketing, and placement of court-related activities in NYMatters and on an attorney's calendar.
- Answer routine questions from the public.
- Prepare reports as requested.
- Provide support including answering phone calls, processing mail, etc.
- Assist the general public by answering questions via phone or office walk-ins.
- Review written complaints and inquiries, determine how best to handle (i.e. mediation; referral; private attorney; provide information/materials); and respond to them in writing.
- Identify consumer complaints that could lead to larger affirmative enforcement litigation possibilities.
- Refer consumers to other agencies or provide them with informational materials when appropriate.
- Assist the Consumer AAG's and AAGIC with various tasks as required to support enforcement actions.
- Perform research and record management and report generation functions, including responding to records requests.
- Become familiar with consumer protection laws that our office enforces.
- Confer with attorneys about patterns and potential violations of law and determine whether future action is needed.
- Assist with ongoing investigations and the preparation of litigation.
- Perform background research on the subjects of the investigation and identify all consumers affected.
- Gather and organize evidence to support the investigation, including doing online research, reviewing business documents, and occasionally doing field work.
- Create written summaries or spreadsheets summarizing findings.
- Assist Consumer Frauds staff with legal document assembly.
- Assist with post-enforcement activities such as monitoring businesses and distributing restitution to consumers.
- The incumbent may perform other duties and special projects as assigned, including providing backup to administrative support staff within the office, as necessary.
OR
An associate degree (or higher) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Legal Studies or a certificate in a Paralegal/Legal Assistant program where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
OR
An associate degree in any field where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) AND one year of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “Definition” below).
Substitution: Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the educational and experience requirements for this title.
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. Non-qualifying experience includes receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, and office manager.OTHER WAYS TO QUALIFY:Reachable on the Department of Civil Service eligible list for Legal Assistant 1 or Legal Assistant Trainee (see note below regarding traineeship requirements and salary during traineeship).
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024, and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.OREligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website.*TRAINEESHIPS: Trainees must successfully complete a set training and development program to be advanced to the full performance level of this title. If you are appointed as a Trainee 1 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-11, current starting salary $47,695; job rate $58,447), upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Trainee 2 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-13, current starting salary $53,413, job rate $65,061). Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2, you will advance to the full level of this title (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $56,506, job rate $68,630) without further examination.Additional Comments Careers with the State offer multiple benefits including paid vacation leave (13+ days per year), sick leave, paid State holidays off, health insurance including vision & dental, entry into the NYS retirement (pension) system, education and training, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, and job stability with promotional opportunities. Workplace flexibilities include multiple options for employees including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.The agency's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 pm (37.5 hours/week).Scheduling determinations are dependent upon the needs of the Bureau/Unit and will be communicated during interviews.*Positions located in Nassau County have an additional $4,000 added to the annual base salary for location pay.Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.