Review Vacancy
AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of
TitleLegal Assistant 1/Tr 1 and 2 - NY HELPS
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $46306 to $66634 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 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.
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis
Transfer Eligible –
One year of permanent competitive service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law or eligible for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law (of which candidate must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below).
55-b/55-c Candidates - must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below and include with resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.
Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates, 70.4 transfer eligible, and NYHELPS):
Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “definition” below)
OR an associate degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies 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 one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
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) OR Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the educational requirements for this title AND one year of 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.
Legal Assistant Trainee
This position may also be filled at the Trainee level by appointment of a candidate reachable on the Legal Assistant Trainee list or in a title eligible to transfer to Legal Assistant Trainee 1. If filled as a trainee, the selected candidate must successfully complete a two-year traineeship. Trainees will be required to
successfully complete courses in specific areas, in addition to on-the-job training activities, prior to completing the traineeship. All trainees are required to successfully complete six course in paralegal studies and related skills from an accredited college or university. In addition, one or more college or training courses in writing skills will be required.
Duties Description Position Summary
This role would be assigned to the Office of General Counsel, Region 7. The primary duties of the Legal Assistant will be to coordinate Region 7 FOIL responses for legal, coordinate Case Tracking for program staff, and support DEC’s environmental enforcement, remediation and permitting work. This position will 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 and assisting with Region 7 FOIL requests as needed.
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
• 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
• 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.
• prepare or assist in the preparation of legal 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.
• 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.
• 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
Complete additional tasks for special projects assigned by the Regional Attorney.
Assist legal staff in reviewing and responding to FOIL requests in a timely and accurate manner:
• Requires competency with Microsoft Office products used for DEC email and letters and the ability to develop proficiency with other software such as with DEC’s GovQA Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) system.
• Achieve knowledge and competency with the Public Officers Law, the Personal Privacy Protection Law and DEC’s regulations at Part 616, Access to Records.
• 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.
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.