Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyWorkers' Compensation Board

TitleLegal Assistant 2 (NY HELPS), WCB Item #3758

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary Grade17

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

Salary RangeFrom $67361 to $84655 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 AM

To 4 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Kings

Street Address Office of General Counsel, Administrative Review Division

One Pierrepoint Plaza, 5th floor, 300 Cadman Plaza West

City Brooklyn

StateNY

Zip Code11201

Job Specifics

Duties Description The Legal Assistant 2 position requires experience in drafting, knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation Law, and the ability to work independently with minimum supervision. The scope and depth of work is to be defined by the Assistant Attorney supervisor(s). The incumbent will provide support to the Assistant Attorney supervisor(s) by researching case records and preparing legal memoranda and documents in accordance with Workers' Compensation Law, as well as the Board’s rules, regulations, and subject numbers. The Legal Assistant 2 will also be responsible for drafting and producing legal memoranda in a manner that complies with ARD standards regarding quality and production. The Legal Assistant 2 may also be involved in special legal projects concerning the application of Workers' Compensation Law pertinent to this agency.

Under the direction of the Assistant Attorney supervisor(s), the Legal Assistant 2 will provide a variety of administrative and staff support for the Administrative Review Division within the Office of General Counsel, which includes the drafting of legal memorandum pertaining to requests for administrative review following Workers’ Compensation hearings.

The job duties of the Legal Assistant 2 will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review case files, analyzes evidence, conducts legal research and drafts Proposed Memorandums of Decision (PMOD’s), in response to appeals filed under the Workers’ Compensation Law, Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law, and the Volunteer Ambulance Workers’ Benefit Law.
• Draft and submit PMOD’s that are in accordance with ARD standards pertaining to quality and production, and that are adherent to current case law and WCB policies and procedures.
• Review, address, and resolve relevant issues and the contentions of the parties.
• Utilize legal research tools, provide legal analysis, and submit a recommended resolution.
• Submit PMOD’s electronically for review to the designated Associate Attorney supervisor(s).
• May be assigned to special projects in accordance with the needs of the office.

Minimum Qualifications Candidates must be reachable on the appropriate Civil Service eligible list.

OR

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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making permanent non-competitive appointments 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.

NON COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Three 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 program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies 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
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” below)
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.

55 B/C QUALIFICATIONS:
Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. To be considered, you must meet the minimum qualifications and provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response. Candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications listed above.

TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55 b/c service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer in accordance with Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service law.

Additional Comments Please Note: This position requires both in-office and remote work. A hybrid telecommuting schedule can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, including:

Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Program
• Flexible Spending Program, which allows employees to set aside pre-tax payroll deductions for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.

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, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) is an equal opportunity employer. The Board does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. The Board is dedicated to eliminating injustices and ensuring diversity in our workforce so we can better serve our staff and create a space where all feel safe to be themselves. To help meet those goals, we encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. We are looking for candidates who are committed to working in and contributing to an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, as well as inclusion, and celebrates people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives.

We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process. If you have a disability or special need that requires a reasonable accommodation, please send a request to officeofgeneralcounsel@wcb.ny.gov.

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

How to Apply

Name Recruitment Unit

Telephone

Fax 518-486-6364

Email Address HRM@WCB.NY.GOV

Address

Street Human Resources Management

328 State Street

City Schenectady

State NY

Zip Code 12305

 

Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should send a letter of interest and resume which lists your actual Civil Service title, salary grade and specific verifiable information as to how you meet the minimum qualifications to be eligible to apply for this position. Please send your application to HRM@WCB.ny.gov (email applications are preferred). It is important that you reference the WCB Item #3758 in the subject line of your email to ensure receipt of your application. (Please do not reference the Vacancy ID No.)