Review Vacancy
AgencyAttorney General, Office of the
TitleLegal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Buffalo RO
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $47695 to $68630 Annually
Duties Description This Legal Assistant 1/Trainee position is located in the Buffalo Regional Office and performs the following duties.
• Assist Assistant Attorneys General (“AAGs”) as needed on all federal and state court matters, including filing pleadings and records using the respective court’s case filing systems.
• Assist AAGs in drafting various legal documents, including motions to dismiss, answers, attorney affirmations, affidavits, mandatory disclosures, interrogatories and document demand response, and prepare draft orders for submission to the court. Prepare and mail correspondence relating to the same.
• Assist AAGs with calendars pertaining to court conferences and proceedings, scheduling meetings, and tracking deadlines.
• Review new lawsuits pursuant to agency and office policies and procedures, and best practice guidelines to determine what agency records or documents need to be requested from clients and agencies in order to respond to a pleading, motion or discovery request.
• Arrange for service of pleadings and motions. Prepare the required affidavit of service following. Prepare and serve notice of entry. Prepare and transmit files for appellate matters.
• In accordance with agency and office policy and procedures, review incoming legal papers to determine steps to be taken under supervision of the assigned AAGs.
• Under direction of the assigned AAG, prepare draft answers and motions to dismiss for actions and proceedings filed by incarcerated individuals, including Article 78 proceedings and writs of habeas corpus, for review by an AAG. Communicate with court regarding same. Handle submission of documents to court.
• Request, obtain, and organize documents for discovery purposes from clients and the courts. Perform initial review and redact documents as instructed by AAGs. Coordinate with clients on discovery responses.
• Assist AAGs with trial preparation, including facilitating travel of witnesses, managing documents, and creating trial binders.
• Timely communicate with clients, agency staff and the courts in connection with legal proceedings.
• Manage, open, update and close files in the case management system (NY Matters) on a routine basis pursuant to agency and office policies and procedures, including preparing documents necessary to close files. Maintain accurate records of matters being handled, including case tracking spreadsheets. Perform conflict checks using NY Matters using recommended best practices.
• Organize and maintain case files, including paper and electronic records. Retrieve files for AAGs as needed. Archive files.
• Prepare tables of contents and authorities. Cite check and proofread briefs.
• Arrange video for conferences, depositions and any other meetings, including corresponding with court reporters, witnesses, and expert witnesses, as needed.
• Assist with administrative tasks as needed, including arrange travel and prepare and reconcile charges regarding same. Assist with scanning, copying, assembling Redweld folders, binders, and deposition exhibits.
• Provide coverage of office phones and opening, sorting, and routing office/interoffice mail, as needed.
• Maintain client confidences and safeguard confidential and sensitive information, documents, and records within office policies and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS:
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, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
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.
NON-COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS
Legal Assistant 1 (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $56,506, job rate $68,630):
Candidates must have:
A minimum of two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below).
OR
An associate degree (or higher) in Paralegal/Legal Assistant/Legal Studies or a certificate in a Paralegal/Legal Assistant 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 full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “Definition” below).
Substitution: 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.
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. Non-qualifying experience includes receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, and office manager.
Legal Assistant Trainee 1 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG 11, current starting salary $47,695; job rate $58,447):
Candidates must have:
High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.
OR
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).
OTHER WAYS TO QUALIFY:
Reachable on the Department of Civil Service eligible list for Legal Assistant 1 or Legal Assistant Trainee.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered into the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024, and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.
OR
Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website.
Additional Comments TRAINEESHIP NOTE: Trainees must successfully complete a set training and development program to be advanced to the full performance level of this title. If you are appointed as a Trainee 1 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-11, current starting salary $47,695; job rate $58,447), upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Trainee 2 (CSEA, NS ~ equated to SG-13, current starting salary $53,413, job rate $65,061). Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2, you will advance to the full level of this title (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $56,506, job rate $68,630) without further examination.
Careers with the State offer multiple benefits including paid vacation leave (13+ days per year), sick leave, paid State holidays off, health insurance including vision & dental, entry into the NYS retirement (pension) system, education and training, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, and job stability with promotional opportunities. Workplace flexibilities include multiple options for employees including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.
The agency's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 pm (37.5 hours/week).
Scheduling determinations are dependent upon the needs of the Office and will be communicated during interviews.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
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 (OSC) in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations, and negotiated union contracts.
The Office of the NYS Attorney General (OAG) cannot provide sponsorship for work authorization. Candidates need to be authorized to work in the United States to be employed by this agency. It is incumbent upon employees to maintain work authorization for the duration of their employment with the OAG.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Notes on ApplyingI
In your submission, you must provide sufficient information to determine from your resume and/or cover letter that you meet the minimum qualifications stated above. If a certificate or degree is required to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide proof that you hold the required certificate or degree. To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and a copy of your degree/transcript (if applicable) to HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov. Be sure to include the Vacancy # and Title of the position in the subject heading of your email.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
For more information about the Attorney General's Office, visit: www.ag.ny.gov.