NY HELPYes

AgencyAttorney General, Office of the

TitleLegal Assistant 1 (NY HELPS) - Real Property

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $49841 to $71719 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8:30 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

County Albany

Street Address The Capitol

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12224

Duties Description • Reviews and logs in official agency maps, reports of physical inspection and continuations and title search continuations and alerting staff attorneys on any potential issues that such mapping and documentation may illustrate.
• Reviews official appropriation maps for the accuracy of description and compliance with statutes. Alerts staff attorneys if revisions are necessary.
• Assists staff attorneys with the preparation of legal documents needed for closing such as deeds, affidavits of title, assignments of claim and release, vouchers and authorizations.
• Reviews Report of Physical Inspection Continuations for visible objections to title.
• Reviews title search continuations for potential additional objections of title.
• Assists staff attorneys with the preparation of the initial letter of title certification to State agency involved in real property acquisition.
• Drafts of correspondence to client agencies, property owners and opposing counsel such as transmittal letters, title certification letters, deposit notice letters and payment certification letters.
• Communicates with client agency staff to obtain necessary information to certify payment of eminent domain or purchase matters.
• Conducts legal research.
• Prepare or assist with the preparation of reports, as required.
• Updates title data in various Bureau databases upon closing of real property acquisition files.
• Updates and revises Bureau forms in the Bureau databases as needed.
• Acts as a liaison between the Bureau and Office of the Attorney General IT with regard to database management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications NON-COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS
Legal Assistant 1 (CSEA, SG-14, current starting salary $59,049, job rate $71,719) *: 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 $49,841; job rate $61,076)*: 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 11, 2025, and July 15, 2026. 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 7/16/26 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.

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 $49,841; job rate $61,076), 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 $55,817, job rate $67,990). 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 $59,049, job rate $71,719) without further examination.*

Additional Comments We are seeking talented and motivated support staff to work with our attorneys in the State’s law firm. The selected candidate will be part of a fast-paced office, gaining experience while providing public service on behalf of the State of New York. The Attorney General serves the public interest of all New Yorkers in matters affecting their daily lives, enforcing laws to protect consumers, tenants, patients, workers, investors, and charitable donors. The office coordinates statewide civil and criminal investigations, promoting economic and social justice, encouraging harm-reducing public health strategies, and preserving the state’s environment.

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.

HOURS
The agency's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (37.5 hours/week). Scheduling determinations depend on the needs of each Bureau 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. This agency does not participate in E-Verify for work authorization purposes.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name HR Recruitment

Telephone 518-766-2500

Fax

Email Address HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Office of the Attorney General

The Capitol

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12224

Notes on ApplyingIn 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. The Office of the NYS Attorney General provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at HR.Recruitment@ag.ny.gov or (518) 776-2500.