Legal Assistant 2 - NY HELPS

State of New York•Stony Brook, NY

43d•$63,361 - $80,655•Hybrid

About The Position

Conducts legal research on complex issues; files documents with state and local courts; provides support in litigation and administrative hearings, including managing of exhibits, scheduling witnesses, assisting with preparation for conducting depositions, collection of information relevant to case prosecution. Manages pleadings and correspondence; meets with technical program staff for fact gathering, summarizes interviews in a briefing to assigned counsel. Must be able to handle both paper and electronic legal files and perform all clerical work associated with legal duties. Must be able to travel independently to court and the various county clerk offices to retrieve and file documents. This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified. Minimum qualifications for NY HELPS appointment: Either 1: Three years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see "definition" below). Or 2: 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) AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see "definition" below) Or 3. 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 two years of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see definition in MQs) OR graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted AND two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see "definition" below). 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. Examples of non-qualifying experience: receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, office manager. Examples of non-qualifying degrees: Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Business Administration and Business Management. Examples of non-qualifying experience: Experience which is limited solely to general clerical or secretarial duties performed in a law office. Important: 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. Candidates may also be appointed via the following, if applicable: Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis Transfer Eligible - For 70.1 - One year of permanent competitive service as a Legal Assistant 2 For 70.4 - One year of permanent competitive service at SG-15 or higher and meet the open competitive minimum qualification as noted below: Note: If there is a viable promotion examination eligible list (three acceptors) for this position, candidates who qualify based on NY HELPS or 70.4 transfer cannot be considered.

Requirements

Three 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) AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant
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 two years 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 AND two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Must have a valid driver's license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position

Responsibilities

Conducts legal research on complex issues
Files documents with state and local courts
Provides support in litigation and administrative hearings, including managing of exhibits, scheduling witnesses, assisting with preparation for conducting depositions, collection of information relevant to case prosecution
Manages pleadings and correspondence
Meets with technical program staff for fact gathering, summarizes interviews in a briefing to assigned counsel
Handle both paper and electronic legal files and perform all clerical work associated with legal duties
Travel independently to court and the various county clerk offices to retrieve and file documents