What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant 2 - NY HELPS position at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation?
Description
Duties Description
The Legal Assistant 2 will be assigned to the Office of General Counsel Remediation Bureau’s Natural Resource Damages (NRD) section. The selected candidate will support DEC's efforts to assess and recover damages for injuries to natural resources, and to use recovered funds to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of injured resources. Working under the supervision of an attorney, the selected candidate will be responsible for varied assignments requiring thorough involvement in NRD program matters. The selected candidate’s duties will include assisting with NRD case tracking and program management, maintaining and updating the NRD program’s filing system, tracking and depositing payments to the NRD Fund, reviewing and making recommendations about potential cases, maintaining internal and external communications including preparing content for website updates and correspondence, assisting with contracting, and conducting legal research in areas where clear precedent may not be found. This position requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team.
Qualifications
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.
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."
OR
An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant / legal studies 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).
Additional Comments
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:
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Duties Description
The Legal Assistant 2 will be assigned to the Office of General Counsel Remediation Bureau’s Natural Resource Damages (NRD) section. The selected candidate will support DEC's efforts to assess and recover damages for injuries to natural resources, and to use recovered funds to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of injured resources. Working under the supervision of an attorney, the selected candidate will be responsible for varied assignments requiring thorough involvement in NRD program matters. The selected candidate’s duties will include assisting with NRD case tracking and program management, maintaining and updating the NRD program’s filing system, tracking and depositing payments to the NRD Fund, reviewing and making recommendations about potential cases, maintaining internal and external communications including preparing content for website updates and correspondence, assisting with contracting, and conducting legal research in areas where clear precedent may not be found. This position requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team.
Qualifications
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.
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."
OR
An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program or a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant / legal studies 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).
Additional Comments
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...
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Salary : $63,361 - $80,655
