Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleLegal Assistant 2- NY HELPS
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $61516 to $78307 Annually
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 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.
A bachelor's degree in a paralegal/legal assistant program 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); and one year of subsequent full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant or 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) and two years of subsequent full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
Duties Description Position Summary
This role would act as a liaison between regional legal and program staff, law enforcement, and external parties to coordinate enforcement responses. This position would monitor compliance with any subsequent requisite corrective and/or remedial action(s) to ensure they are addressed and completed
in a timely and appropriate manner. Additionally, this position would support legal staff by researching and drafting legal documents, assisting with FOIL requests.
Duties Description
Coordinate, track and monitor all enforcement and compliance activities within the region:
• serve as the liaison between regional legal, law enforcement, and program staff in enforcement matters
• serve as information hub on regional compliance/enforcement activities and Departmental initiatives
• coordinate multi-media response when violations affect multiple programs
• coordinate with other agencies, the Attorney General’s Office, municipalities, and with the public where appropriate and according to current Department guidelines and procedures
• participate in docket development and provide clear monthly written status updates using a spreadsheet format
• monitor implementation of compliance schedules by tracking requirements and timelines, communicating with respondents and program staff on the status of corrective measures,
reviewing submissions from respondents, and verifying payment of penalties
• update DEC's case tracking system, dockets, and files
• identify and track compliance violations, as well as communicate and coordinate regional responses to violations, to ensure that corrective enforcement actions are taken in a timely and appropriate manner
• Ensure that the regional and program supervisors are updated on all major new or unresolved compliance/enforcement issues as soon as possible and by follow-up memo where appropriate
• maintain a shared Outlook calendar for enforcement matters, including creating and sending invitations for scheduled meetings, conferences, hearings, and other deadlines to involved legal
and regional staff
Provide general assistance to regional administrative and legal staff:
• case management and organization
• review legal documents, contracts, and forms
• conduct legal research and draft legal documents, including briefs for attorney review
• draft court related documents including motions, answers, affidavits or discovery demands.
• Organize exhibits for hearings.
• Answers routine questions/complaints received from the public written or orally, and provides routine information regarding the legal process to the public.
• Analyze responses to legal motions.
• obtain public records and information from clerks, courts, and other repositories.
• answer routine complaints received from the public, either orally or in writing, and provides routine information regarding processes or procedures to the public.
• prepare short form orders and manage the cases with minimal oversight from attorneys.
• Independently develops assigned cases or files to the point where only attorney signoff is needed.
• manage deadlines for schedules of compliance items for legal.
Provide enforcement and litigation assistance to regional legal staff:
• draft short form orders on consent in consultation with attorneys
• schedule witnesses and collect information as requested
• communicate updates to program staff
• review case-related materials
• assist in the preparation of legal documents, contracts, pleadings, and letter correspondence
• assemble exhibits and briefs
• file paperwork with the courts or Office of Hearings and Mediation Services as directed or authorized by the attorney
• arrange for service of process
Assist legal staff in reviewing and responding to FOIL requests in a timely and accurate manner:
• develop proficiency with DEC’s GovQA Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) system
• assist with daily processing of regional FOIL requests, including distributing new requests in coordination with the Regional Attorney and closing completed requests by required deadlines
• expedite attorney review of FOIL requests by gathering, organizing, reviewing, providing comments, and identifying potential redactions and exemptions
• perform timely and accurate review of documents for relevance and decide whether to release or withhold for FOIL and discovery purposes
• answer questions from Staff and the public regarding the FOIL process
Additional Comments Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Travel may be required. Overtime may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
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...
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.
DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.