Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyAttorney General, Office of the

TitleLegal Assistant 2 (NY HELPS) - Consumer Frauds (NYC)

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary Grade17

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $61516 to $78307 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.50

Workday

From 9:30 AM

To 5:30 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County New York

Street Address 28 Liberty

City New York

StateNY

Zip Code10005

Job Specifics

Duties Description In close association with an attorney or attorneys, Legal Assistants perform a variety of paralegal activities that require formal education and experience. Incumbents compile and organize files and documentation; prepare and assist in the preparation of legal documents and forms; catalog information; update databases or spreadsheets; and prepare correspondence and subpoenas. The incumbent for this position will support the Consumer Frauds Bureau and performs the following duties:

• Reviews all incoming Lemon Law (new car, used car, etc.) complaints to determine eligibility for State mediation program.
• Responds to all complaints in writing or ensure that they have been assigned to someone who will be responding in writing.
• Makes initial follow-up inquiries to the complainant to obtain information needed to evaluate complaints.
• Performs preliminary investigations under supervision of an Assistant Attorney General (AAG).
• Prepares memoranda for AAGs to assist in evaluating complaints.
• Maintains electronic database of complaints.
• Monitors open complaints to ensure that they are ultimately closed appropriately.
• Handles telephone calls from members of the public with complaints or inquiries.
• Serves as Bureau’s compliance officer, maintaining database of all resolved cases and moneys (costs, penalties, restitution) collected and disbursed; prepare annual summary.
• Supervises student aides in daily complaint processing and compliance follow-up.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS: 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 maybe 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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), 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.

No Exam Required under NY HELPS.

• Candidates must have a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below); or

• An associate degree (or higher) in a paralegal /legal assistant/legal studies 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 one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and one year of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below); or

• 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) and two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” above); or

• Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for the NYS Bar 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.)

OTHER WAYS TO QUALIFY:

Reachable on the Department of Civil Service Eligible list for Legal Assistant 2.

OR

Permanent or Contingent-Permanent competitive status as a Legal Assistant 2.

OR

Eligible 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.

OR

55 B/C: This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and must meet the minimum qualifications listed above.

OR

Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP): If there are no more than three qualified candidates in the promotion field for this position, the agency may request approval from the Department of Civil Service to fill this position via a noncompetitive promotion (NCP) examination pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. To be eligible for the NCP, a candidate must be in the direct promotion field, must not have failed (or failed to take, if eligible at that time) the last holding of the promotion examination for the title listed above, and must have one year of permanent or contingent-permanent competitive or 55-b/c service as a Legal Assistant 1.

Additional Comments Positions located in New York City include an additional $3,400 per year in downstate adjustment location pay.

Monday through Friday, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (37.5 hours/week). Alternate work schedule options may be available. Options depend on the needs of the Bureau and will be communicated during interviews.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Human Resources Management Bureau

Telephone 518-776-2500

Fax 518-915-7754

Email Address HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Office of the Attorney General, Human Resources Management Bureau

State Capitol

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12224

 

Notes on ApplyingIn your submission, you must provide sufficient information to determine from your resume and/or cover letter that you meet the minimum qualifications stated above. If a certificate or degree is required to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide proof that you hold the required certificate or degree. To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and a copy of your degree/transcript (if applicable) to HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov. Be sure to include the Vacancy # and Title of the position in the subject heading of your email.