Job Description
Description Duties Description The Division of Human Rights is seeking candidates for the position of Legal Assistant 2 working within Office of the General Counsel of the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To - Provide administrative support for the review and issuance of Orders After Hearing
- Review of party submissions and answer party communications related to cases before the Division.
- Prepare draft briefs, affidavits, affirmations, and other motion-related papers.
- Prepare draft opinions for review by an attorney.
- Perform detailed, open-ended investigations to provide attorneys with ongoing information and leads as needed.
- Assist in analysis of legislation, including drafting language and making revisions, and manage related bill tracking activities.
- Prepare updates of internal Division legal resources and guidance materials.
- Draft contracts and participate in the negotiation of contracts as needed.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications - This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
Non-Competitive: Three years of full-time 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.
Substitution: An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program 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) AND one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see definition in MQs) 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 two years of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see definition in MQs) OR graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted AND two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see definition in MQs).
Transfer: Current New York State employee with one year or more of permanent, competitive service, or 55-b/c service as a Legal Assistant 2, Grade 17; OR current New York State employee with one year or more of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55-b/c service in a qualifying title and eligible for transfer* under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
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, 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 an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Additional Comments We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 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
Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, and length of State service.
All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
This position is eligible for additional $4000 location pay.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work,