Legal Assistant ; NY HELPS

Legal Assistant 1 (NY HELPS)

Division: NYS Division of Human Rights.

Base pay: $56,506.00/yr - $68,630.00/yr (Actual pay may vary depending on skills and experience). Duties

• Triage claims of discrimination.
• Ensure duplicate claims of discrimination are closed timely and notify Claimants that the duplicate has been closed.
• Review complaints for additional causes of action and confer with the Assistant Commissioner for Intake for proper follow‑up.
• Assign claims to Office Assistants and Program Aides for follow‑up, including requests for clarification and supporting evidence.
• Follow up with Complainants in a timely manner to obtain clarity on complex allegations of discrimination.
• Escalate complex claims to the Assistant Commissioner for coordination with the General Counsel’s office when appropriate.
• Conduct research to determine the proper legal name of Respondents and where a Complaint should be served.
• Update case information contemporaneously in the Division’s case management system.
• Identify complaints that warrant priority attention during the Investigation phase, such as those involving health and well‑being issues or where the Complainant has been threatened with eviction, and communicate that priority to the assigned Regional Office.
• Coordinate with the Assistant Commissioner to confirm all cases that appear not to qualify for investigation.
• Prior to serving the Complaint, prepare a list of Complaints to be served and submit to the Assistant Commissioner for Intake to identify the Regional Offices that should investigate them.
• Ensure all claims of discrimination are processed to Intake resolution no later than 30 days after receipt of the claim, which includes serving a Complaint, issuing a letter for Lack of Jurisdiction, or closing a case due to the Complainant’s failure to respond in a timely manner.
• Answer calls from parties to an investigation on subject matters that require advanced knowledge.
• Supervise Office Assistants and Program Aides assigned to the Unit with responsibilities such as obtaining evidence or clarity from the Complainant, issuing letters, following up timely with Complainants, serving the Complaint, and inviting early conciliation.

• This position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• Current NYS Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent‑permanent or 55b/c service as a Legal Assistant 1, or current NYS employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent‑permanent or 55b/c service at SG‑12 or above and eligible for transfer under §70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
• Non‑Competitive
  
  Minimum Qualification:
  
  Two years of full‑time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
• Definition: A Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures to provide direct assistance to lawyers, clients,ճ and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles, and analyzes legal materials to provide written and verbal comments; 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 a paralegal/legal‑assistant/legal‑studies program from a regionally accredited college or university or one approved by the American Bar Association, or an associate degree in any field from such an institution AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant; OR graduation from an accredited (ABA‑approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar.
• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, the title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment with no examination required, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications.
• Within one year of permanent appointment, employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive status converted to competitive status without an examination.
• NOTE:
  
  This vacancy is for the purpose of notifying individuals about transfer opportunities. Employees on the Civil Service eligible list should not respond to this posting, but may be invited to apply via the Civil Service website or by contacting Justice Center Human Resources.

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 College Savings Program

Position is eligible for $4,000 location pay.

All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Entry level

Full‑time

Legal

Government Administration