Review Vacancy
TitleLegal Assistant 2 (NY HELPS) - 46388
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $63361 to $80655 Annually
Duties Description The Legal Assistant 2 distributes the incoming new work daily to attorneys and legal assistants. This includes triage and distribution of new sub arrests and rap sheets which are divided up amongst the legal assistants for investigation/processing. The processed rap sheets ready for attorney review are then distributed to the attorneys. These daily distributions take into account various frequently changing factors, such as absent staff, staff assigned to special projects, backlogs, training of new staff, experience and skill level of new staff, etc. The Legal Assistant 2 responds to a high volume of inquiries to the CHRC Legal BML on a daily basis. This includes inquiries from providers, attorneys, advocates, and applicants, which sometimes requires a detailed and time- consuming response. (a) The Legal Assistant 2 tracks the time and attendance of all non-attorney staff, reviews/approves timecards and requests for time off; prepares documentation in the event of an audit regarding contract staff time and attendance, ensures call center is adequately staffed on a daily basis.
(b) Assists Unit Leader with personnel issues as they come up and documentation for same. This includes meetings, counseling staff, preparing Memorandum and other documentation/recordkeeping.
(c) Coordinates training of new non-attorney staff. Creates written training plans for new state staff/traineeships. Provides input for performance evaluations.
(d) Order unit supplies/equipment as needed from Staples, in house supply, Electronic Business Services, envelope orders for a high volume of mailings. The Legal Assistant 2 compiles data for the CHRC Legal Unit’s work production into a monthly report submitted to the Unit Leader. Legal Assistant 2 prepares Notices of Appearance for attorneys/advocates appearing on behalf of applicants who are under review by the CHRC Legal Unit, in accordance with Project Sunlight regulations.
Minimum Qualifications Permanent Transfer Candidates: Current NYS Department of Health employee with one year or more of permanent or contingent-permanent, competitive service as a Legal Assistant 2, SG-17 OR; a current NYS employee with one year or more of permanent or contingent-permanent, competitive service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Non Competitive Candidates via NY HELPS:
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.
Substitution: 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) 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 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 as meeting the educational and experience requirements for this title.
Preferred Qualifications: An interest in a legal career that has a substantial investigative component. Such that while the CHRC workload is intense, each case is unique due to the underlying circumstances surrounding the criminal history record. Is able to work well independently but has a team mentality. Is able to adapt to a large workload efficiently. We handle a lot of cases and it takes someone who can work efficiently and not create a backlog. Is able and willing to learn a new skill in a short timeframe. Given the anticipated volume, pace and diversity of issues/tasks tackled daily, the ideal candidate would also be self-propelled, detail-oriented and possess consistent follow-through.
Additional Comments This position is part of the NYS HELPS program. No examination is required.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more.
The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit: https://health.ny.gov/commissioner/index.htm
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact by phone 518-486-1812 or email doh.sm.reasonable.accommodation@health.ny.gov to make a request.
NYS Department of Health does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.
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.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Human Resources Management Group, CD/LA2/46388
Email Address resume@health.ny.gov
Address
Street Rm 2217, Corning Tower, ESP
Notes on Applying Please submit your resume and cover letter as one (1) document, preferably in PDF format, by email to resume@health.ny.gov, with Reference CD/LA2/46388 included in the subject line or by mail to Human Resources Management Group, CD/LA2/46388 , Rm 2217, Corning Tower Building, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237-0012, or by fax to (518) 473-3395. Failure to include the required information may result in your resume not being considered for this position.