Legal assistant

Description

Duties Description

The Legal Assistant 2, under the supervision of a Deputy General Counsel and the General Counsel, works independently and performs a variety of paralegal activities to primarily support the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) Program which includes coordinating with other Thruway departments’ staff, other state agencies and authorities, courts and the Authority’s contractor. The Legal Assistant 2 will also perform paralegal activities on an as needed basis for other matters. Description of Duties

• Compile and organize files and documentation, catalog information, update databases and spreadsheets.
• Review correspondence that is received from various parties including but not limited to registered owners, court personnel, elected officials, and members of the public regarding the AWZSE program and/or the hearing process. Draft appropriate follow-up responses for review by the Deputy General Counsel.
• Assist with outreach to courts or the adjudicatory bodies to provide background information about the AWZSE Program, requests for hearings, delivery of court packs to the registered owner and the court and follow up on dispositions.
• Act as the Legal Department point of contact for court or the adjudicatory body personnel for questions and work with the Deputy General Counsel and Program staff on responses.
• Participate in discussions regarding hearings which may include representation by outside counsel and prepare files, assemble documentation, and schedule witnesses as needed.
• Review required Program reports to the Governor and legislators and assist with timely completion.
• Assist with the Request for Proposals (RFP) process which may include review of the draft RFP and review of proposer submissions. Assist with drafting and reviewing the resultant contract(s).
• Review legislation that would impact the Program and prepare summaries of the purpose of the legislation and impacts. Assist with drafting legislation for any necessary revisions to the Program.
• Assist with preparation of Board Agenda Items.
• In consultation with attorneys, assist in any litigation matters related to the Program including investigating circumstances leading to the action, conducting risk analysis, and coordinating responses.
• Select, assemble and compile information on statutes, rules of procedure and specific legal subjects.
• Prepare and analyze basic information for completion of legal documents.
• Assist the Claims Unit, asserting, processing claims and engaging with NYSTA departments in gathering records to assist the Department of Law.
• Other duties as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Current New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service allocated to a Grade 15 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 70.1, or Section 52.6 of the NYS Civil Service Law.
• GENERAL PUBLIC AND/OR NY HELPS 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.

Minimum Qualifications 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)

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, 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

This is a CSEA position. The NYS Thruway Authority offers an extensive benefits package, including but not limited to paid time off, sick leave incentive, membership to the NYS Retirement System, and 90% tuition assistance.

We offer FREE onsite employee parking.

Our telecommuting program offers up to 20% (two days per pay period) upon completion of at least three months of satisfactory performance. Additional policy guidelines and work hours may be discussed during the interview.

Additional Pay Information

The salary range for this position includes all applicable annual components of pay which are:

Base Pay Range from Hiring Rate $60,994 up to Job Rate $86,645.

Recruitment & Retention Pay: $7,000.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT: All potential candidates for this position must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with the New York State Thruway Authority. If appointed, you will be required to produce documents that verify your identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Please be advised, the New York State Thruway Authority does not use eVerify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).

The New York State Thruway Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on age, race, creed, color,?national origin, sexual orientation, military status, familial status, citizen or immigration status, sex, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, prior arrests, prior conviction records, predisposing genetic characteristics or domestic violence victim status. The Thruway Authority is committed to a workplace free from discrimination based on the referenced characteristics and other federal and state protected characteristics.

The New York State Thruway Authority provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Bureau of Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Employee Engagement at [email protected] or call (518) 471-4321.