Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyAttorney General, Office of the

TitleLegal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Labor

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $47695 to $68630 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8:30 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County New York

Street Address 28 Liberty Street

City New York

StateNY

Zip Code10005

Job Specifics

Duties Description The Legal Assistant 1 will be assigned to the bureau’s intake functions and will perform tasks that require knowledge of employment laws, the work of the Labor Bureau, its intake system and protocols. In addition, they will be tasked with responding to and handling complaints received by the bureau under the New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act (“FIFA”), which was enacted on August 28, 2024. The Act extends protections to freelance workers statewide, including requirements for timely payment, written contracts and anti-retaliation. In addition to providing a private right of action, FIFA empowers the OAG to investigate violations of the law, to enjoin unlawful acts, obtain restitution and issue penalties. Although OAG enforcement is not mandatory, there is no other enforcement mechanism stated in the law.
The LA1 will be provided with clear guidelines as to how to screen complaints and how to route, resolve, and/or assign them to bureau attorneys based upon analysis of the subject matter and the exercise of sound discretion and decision-making. A considerable amount of independent judgment must be exercised to properly resolve complaints in accordance with various State and federal laws, internal procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines that require interpretation.
The expected tasks are as follows:
• Respond, in various forms (verbal and written), to questions from the general public or others concerning the work of the bureau and its intake protocols.
• Review communications from the public (email, phone message, mailed letters, faxed letters, online complaint forms) to make an assessment of subject matter. If additional information is necessary to properly ascertain subject matter, contact complainants to obtain such information.
• Interview members of the public to obtain detailed information regarding complaints made to the bureau in order to determine the best course of action based on the information obtained.
• Use the guidelines and other resources provided to determine whether a complaint falls within the bureau’s jurisdiction or should be referred to another bureau or entity/agency. Make appropriate referrals and recommendations to resolve complaint, under the supervision of bureau attorneys as necessary.
• Inform members of the public who contact our office about our procedures and what to expect as their complaint/inquiry/communication is reviewed and assessed.
• Contact various persons to obtain information to make proper determinations concerning inquiries from the public. This includes individuals both within and outside the Labor Bureau, including Constituent Services and other bureaus within the Attorney General’s office.
• Enter and assign inquiries/complaints from the public into NYMatters (the Attorney General’s electronic case management system). Manage, update and close such complaints/ inquiries.
• Respond to more complex inquiries regarding the bureau’s receipt and handling of complaints from particular individuals or entities, including the OAG press office, state legislators, etc.
• Run reports on complaints received and handled by bureau.
• Prepare the bureau’s monthly intake calendar.
• Update the bureau’s Intake Wiki, which provides resource information concerning employment laws, guidance and resources.
• Work with bureau attorneys and contact employers about potential resolution of callers’ claims/complaints.
• Assist in identifying inquiries/complaints received by the bureau in response to FOIL requests.
• Manage and organize public complaints/inquiries for record-keeping/reporting purposes.
• May develop, maintain and/or update database programs and methods of data analysis (within or external to NYMatters) for the intake system.
• Research laws, rules, statutes, etc. in order to find solutions to complaints received.
• Monitor and evaluate the entry of intake data in NYMatters and assist in correcting problems and errors.
• May assist in the recruitment of employees by answering questions and providing information concerning the particulars of the position, bureau goals and objectives.
• May review employment applications and identify candidates that meet qualifications for job postings.
• May perform initial interviews with candidates to determine qualifications and interest in employment.
• Update and maintain training materials for the position and suggest appropriate changes to protocol.
• Work with bureau attorneys on complaints that are elevated to investigations, including scheduling and interviewing witnesses/workers, reviewing and preparing legal documents, etc.
• Handle incoming FIFA complaints. Under the supervision of an AAG, be the first point of contact for FIFA complainants, gather information and documents to assess the claim and whether a violation of the law may have occurred.
• Send correspondence to the hiring party of a FIFA complaint, detailing facts of the initial complaint; request a response from the hiring party.
• Attempt to informally resolve the matter, working with an AAG to obtain restitution for the worker.
• Must work collaboratively with supervisors and bureau staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

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 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 (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.

NON-COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Legal Assistant 1 (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $56,506, job rate $68,630)*:

Candidates must have:

A minimum of two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below).

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.

Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered into 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.

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.

TRAINEESHIP NOTE: 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 *The base salary will include an additional $4,000 per year in downstate adjustment location pay.

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.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, Payroll rules and regulations, and negotiated union contracts.

The Office of the NYS Attorney General (OAG) cannot provide sponsorship for work authorization. Candidates need to be authorized to work in the United States to be employed by this agency. It is incumbent upon employees to maintain work authorization for the duration of their employment with the OAG.

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

How to Apply

Name HR Recruitment

Telephone 518-776-2500

Fax

Email Address HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Office of the Attorney General

The 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.

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

For more information about the Attorney General's Office, visit: www.ag.ny.gov.