Review Vacancy
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
TitleLegal Assistant 1/Trainee 1 (NY HELPS)
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $44957 to $64693 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.
Open to the Public: 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, if the candidate meets the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.
NY HELPS Non-Competititve Minimum Qualifications:
Legal Assistant Trainee 1:
• One year of clerical, secretarial, keyboarding, or paraprofessional experience in an office environment.
Legal Assistant 1:
• An associate degree in a paralegal/legal assistant 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 college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Duties Description The Legal Assistant 1 responsibilities, under the general direction of staff attorneys, may include:
• Legal research and limited analysis of research findings;
• Making initial determinations regarding information releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, subpoenas or court orders for attorney review;
• Negotiating and proposing preliminary settlements of fines as directed by an attorney;
• Assistance with pre-trial or pre-hearing activities which may include:
• Scheduling administrative hearings
• Collecting information relevant to administrative hearings
• Reviewing case materials
• Assembling exhibits, briefs or other legal pleadings
• Preparing files with court documents as directed by an attorney
• Completing routine investigative work for attorney review
• Gathering information from a variety of sources and providing a preliminary analysis of information to attorneys
• Management of the flow of case materials such as opening and closing cases; calendaring of court-related activities; answering routine questions from agency staff and the public; performing preliminary background work for routine cases or for administrative review processes and answering routine complaints received from the public, either orally or in writing, including routine information regarding processes or procedures
• Maintenance of tracking systems including, but not limited to, case management systems and subpoena logs
Additional duties will be discussed during the interview.
Additional Comments 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.
This position may be filled via traineeship.
Trainees will be required to successfully complete six courses in paralegal studies and related skills from an accredited college or university prior to completing the traineeship. In addition, one or more college or training courses in writing skills will be required.
Background Investigation Requirements:
1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS 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 or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - CDS
52 Washington Street, 231 North
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.