What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant 2 (NYHELPS) position at Taxation & Finance, State?
The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description A Legal Assistant 2 in the Litigation unit may perform the following tasks: 1. Supervise the Department's review and processing of Freedom of Information requests.2. Respond to telephone calls/inquiries from taxpayers and their representatives regarding Freedom of Information requests, handling the more complex inquiries.3. Select and compile information on statutes, rules of procedure and specific legal subjects.4. Supervise the preparation, organization, and maintenance of case files, records and case documentation.5. Research and analyze a wide variety of legal sources; shepardizing cases and statutes to assist attorneys. 6. Secure information on court sessions and calendars, administrative hearing calendars, and on time-limited documentation and keeps legal staff informed of deadlines.7. Draft or assist in the preparation of the following documents: answers, motions, affidavits, arguments, discovery responses, responses to interrogatories or notices to admit or requests for documents, and other legal papers relating to small claims cases, matters before the Division of Tax Appeals and cases in state and federal courts.8. Work with the Bureau of Conciliation and Mediation Services and the Tax Department mailing unit to obtain and analyze certified mailing records and then prepare affidavits of mailing for litigation matters. 9. Coordinate activities between the Tax Department and United States Postal Service to obtain legally sufficient proof to establish the proper mailing of assessments issued by the Tax Department. 10. Review and analyze legal papers served on the Tax Department. 11. Prepare final documents for file closing.12. Analyze adversaries’ responses for their sufficiency and evaluate any objections received.13. Independently develop assigned cases or files to the point where an attorney need only sign off on the related papers or present the case to the administrative hearing judge. 14. Supervise the filing of answers and other legal papers with the Division of Tax Appeals. 15. Supervise Legal Assistant 1s, as required.16. Meet departmental time and attendance rules and regulations.
The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. 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 maybe 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 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.PROMOTIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and have 1-year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Legal Assistant 1. NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 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 definiation 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).COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Eligible for transfer under Civil Service Law OR • Reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title and location in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Law,Rules and Regulations.
Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments New York State is an equal opportunity employer. It’s the policy of the state of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or an arrest or criminal conviction record unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.Telecommuting will be discussed at the interview.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. 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 maybe 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 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.PROMOTIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You must be a qualified employee of New York State and have 1-year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Legal Assistant 1. NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 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 definiation 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).COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Eligible for transfer under Civil Service Law OR • Reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title and location in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Law,Rules and Regulations.
Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments New York State is an equal opportunity employer. It’s the policy of the state of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or an arrest or criminal conviction record unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.Telecommuting will be discussed at the interview.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
