Review Vacancy
TitleLegal Assistant 1/Trainee 1/2 - Albany (NY-HELPS)
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $47695 to $68630 Annually
Duties Description The New York State Department of Labor Counsel's office is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and motivated Legal Assistant I to provide essential support to our dedicated team of attorneys. This role is critical in ensuring the efficient operation of our legal functions, contributing directly to the Department's mission of protecting and advancing the rights and interests of New York's workforce. The successful candidate will play a key part in managing case files, preparing legal documents, and facilitating communication within a dynamic and fast-paced legal environment.
Specific duties may include but not be limited to:
Review record requests related to the Freedom of Information Law and subpoenas, compiling responsive documents, and preparing documents for attorney review.
Perform document reviews and prepare draft responses to document demands for attorney review.
Assemble exhibits and briefs for use during administrative hearings.
Maintain or oversee tracking systems, calendars, and reporting systems.
Draft portions of briefs, affidavits, affirmations, and other motion-related papers.
Answer routine questions from external parties and provide routine information regarding processes or procedures.
Create, maintain, and close files in the file management platformed used to track the workflow of Counsel’s Office activities.
Contribute to team efforts by undertaking additional responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications 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 they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.
NY HELPS Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Legal Assistant Trainee 1:
High school or high school equivalency diploma and one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.
Legal Assistant Trainee 2:
High school or high school equivalency diploma and two years of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience, and six courses in the areas of Intro to Law, and Legal Research and Writing (verification of required coursework is at the appointing agencies discretion).
Substitutions: 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).
Legal Assistant 1:
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.
Substitutions: 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.
Your degree must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You will be required to provide this information to the hiring agency at the time of interview.
It is expected that employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status in the future, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded 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. If you are interested in the NY-HELPS program, or this position, you may reply to this vacancy posting, or you may visit the New York State Department of Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/help/ (copy and paste in browser) to register today, in three easy steps.
Note: It is essential that you describe your qualifying education and/or experience as completely as possible on your application; your application should describe in detail the kind of service and information you provide to the general public. Omissions or vagueness may not be interpreted in your favor. Additionally, in accordance with Civil Service Law, provisional service immediately prior to a permanent appointment to this title is now credited towards the completion of probation upon permanent appointment.
Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
70.1 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent as a Grade 9 or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.
Candidates in certain titles must also possess an Associate’s degree or higher in a paralegal/legal assistance 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).
Note: For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit
Preferred Qualifications:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly developed organizational and time management skills.
Prior legal office experience.
Strong computer literacy and aptitude for learning new software and digital tools.
Ability to initiate and maintain relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders.
Additional Comments Candidates with no previous state service will begin at the starting rate of the salary range listed above.
If you are a current NYS employee and have questions regarding salary, please contact the Business Services Center (BSC): 518-457-4272, BSCHR@ogs.ny.gov.
Telecommuting is available and can be discussed during the interview.
Employment at the Department of Labor is contingent upon the maintenance of a valid work authorization and necessary documentation to work legally in the United States.
Please note: Due to operational requirements and funding considerations of various divisions/positions, there could be occasions in the future where unit assignments may change. Should this occur, it will not impact your title, salary or location.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
•13 paid holidays, 5 personal days, and a minimum of 13 vacation days per year
•Paid sick leave (CSEA and PEF employees- 13 days; M/C employees- 8 days plus free enrollment into the Income Protection Program for short-term and long-term disability coverage).
•Choice of several affordable and competitive health insurance plans
•Dental and vision insurance plans at no additional cost
•Membership in the NYS Employee’s Retirement System
•NYS Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
•Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (full-time employees)
•Eligibility to apply for tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees and courses
•Paid Parental Leave
Our mission is to provide outstanding services to our customers - the workers and business that call New York home. We help New Yorkers find careers they will love. We build and support New York’s businesses. We empower and protect New York’s workers. To learn more about our mission and the exciting work of the DOL, please visit: https://dol.ny.gov/about-us
DOL is committed to fostering employee engagement and work-life balance. We offer telecommuting and alternative work schedules to eligible employees. Eligible employees may be approved to telecommute, if operationally feasible, up to 2 days per regular work-week, and not to exceed 4 days per two-week pay period. Telecommuting can be discussed at the time of interview. Our exciting training and development opportunities, including Coursera and our formal Employee Recognition Program allow us to develop, recognize, and celebrate our workforce.
Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, length of State service, and program area.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address YourDOLJourneyIsHere@labor.ny.gov
Address
State Office Campus, Building 12
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should copy the below web address into your browser to complete the online application for the Department of Labor.
https://on.ny.gov/apply2dol
Vacancy: 209866
Title: Legal Assistant 1/Trainee 1/2
Location: Albany
Please submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the minimum
qualifications, including specific experience with dates. It is essential to clearly describe qualifying education and experience when applying; vague or incomplete information may lead to disqualification.
Unofficial transcripts and/or other documents will be required for certain positions as indicated in the minimum qualifications.
All documents must be received by: 3/05/26
Upload all documents as unlocked and accessible files.
If experiencing difficulties with the above link, please contact:
YourDOLJourneyisHere@labor.ny.gov
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please contact: Department of Labor, Attn: Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (ODEIA), Building 12, Albany, NY 12226 (Phone (518) 457-1984 and/or fax (518) 485-2575.)