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

About the position

The Legal Assistant 1 / Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS) position involves providing professional support to attorneys under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for Intake. The individual will assist in triaging claims of discrimination, ensuring timely closure of duplicate claims, reviewing complaints for potential additional causes of action, and coordinating with various stakeholders to facilitate the investigation process. Responsibilities also include supervising Office Assistants and Program Aides, conducting legal research, and maintaining case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Triage claims of discrimination.
• Ensure duplicate claims of discrimination are closed timely and that Claimants are notified that the duplicate claim has been closed.
• Review complaints for issues that might suggest additional causes of action may be warranted; confer with the Assistant Commissioner for Intake for proper follow-up.
• Assign claims of discrimination to Office Assistants and Program Aides for follow-up action.
• Follow up with Complainants timely to get clarity on complex allegations of discrimination.
• Escalate complex claims of discrimination with the Assistant Commissioner for coordination with General Counsel's office.
• Conduct research to determine the proper, legal name of Respondents and where a Complaint should be served.
• Update information about cases contemporaneously in the Division's case management system.
• Identify Complaints that warrant priority attention during the Investigation phase.
• Coordinate with Assistant Commissioner to confirm all cases that appear to not qualify for investigation.
• Prepare a list of Complaints to be served and submit to the Assistant Commissioner for Intake.
• Ensure all claims of discrimination are processed to Intake resolution no later than 30 days after receipt of the claim.
• Answer calls from parties to an investigation on subject matters that require advanced knowledge.
• Supervise Office Assistants and Program Aides assigned to the Unit.

Requirements

• 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.
• High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience for Legal Assistant Trainee 1.
• High school or high school equivalency diploma AND two years of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience for Legal Assistant Trainee 2.
• Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant for Journey Level.

Nice-to-haves

• An associate degree in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program.
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a degree required for NYS Bar.

Benefits

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees' Retirement System
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 College Savings Program
• Additional $4000 location pay