Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets • Albany, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee to work within the Counsel’s Office. This is a permanent, office-based position located at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. The role is full-time, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines. The position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

Requirements

• High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.
• An associate degree (or higher) in any field, where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
• To be appointed at the Legal Assistant Trainee 2 level: High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience AND an additional one year of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
• To be appointed at the Legal Assistant 1, G-14 level: You must have two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
• An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program 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 experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant OR 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.
• 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.
• You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Legal Assistant Trainee 1, NS, Legal Assistant Trainee 2, NS and Legal Assistant 1, G-14; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.
• Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 1, G-11, Office Assistant 2, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Calculations, G-9, Office Assistant 3, G-14, Program Aide, G-13.
• Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 1, G-11, Office Assistant 2, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Calculations, G-9, Office Assistant 3, G-14, Program Aide, G-13. AND Completion of 3 acceptable courses in Paralegal coursework.
• Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 2, G-15, Business Services Center Representative 2, G-14, and Office Assistant 3, G-14. AND Both A) Possession of an associate's degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant program OR a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where either the degree or certificate was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), AND B) completion of all of the coursework requirements for the Legal Assistant traineeship.
• Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a Grade 12 title or higher. AND an associate's degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant program OR a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where either the degree or certificate was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Substitution: Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required by New York State Bar admittance will be accepted as meeting the educational requirements. Non-qualifying degrees: Non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to degrees in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Business Administration and Business Management. Non-degree certificates of completion or diplomas awarded by a training institution or company not regionally accredited or accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) are not qualifying. AND Received a passing score on the most recent Legal Assistant 1 examination.
• Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.
• High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.
• An associate degree (or higher) in any field, where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Responsibilities

• Compile and organize files and documentation
• Assist with FOIL processing and FOIL document review
• Prepare and assist in the preparation of legal documents and forms
• Catalog information
• Update databases or spreadsheets
• Assist with calendaring of hearings and proceeding deadlines
• Prepare correspondence and subpoena
• Conduct research

Benefits

• Cost-effective health insurance options
• Fully covered dental and vision care
• Participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan
• Ample paid time off (5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays in the first year)
• Optional Payment Election Program
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flex Spending Account
• NY's 529 College Savings Program
• Potential qualification for Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED