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NYS Division of Human Rights · 1 week ago

Legal Assistant 1 (NY HELPS)

White Plains, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

$57K/yr - $69K/yr

2+ years exp

The NYS Division of Human Rights is seeking a Legal Assistant 1 to provide professional support to attorneys within the Investigations Unit. The role involves triaging claims of discrimination, coordinating with various parties, and ensuring timely processing of complaints.

Government Administration

No H1B

Responsibilities

Triage claims of discrimination

Ensure duplicate claims of discrimination are closed timely and that Claimants are notified that the duplicate claim has been closed

Review complaints for issues that might suggest additional causes of action may be warranted; and confer with the Assistant Commissioner for Intake for proper follow-up

Assign claims of discrimination to Office Assistants and Program Aides for follow up action, including, requests for clarification and supporting evidence

Follow up with Complainants timely to get clarity on complex allegations of discrimination

Escalate complex claims of discrimination with the Assistant Commissioner for coordination with General Counsel’s office, where appropriate

Conduct research to determine the proper, legal name of Respondents and where a Complaint should be served

Update information about cases contemporaneously in the Division’s case management system

Identify Complaints that warrant priority attention during the Investigation phase, such as cases that involve health and well-being issues and cases where the Complainant has been threatened with eviction; and communicate that priority to the assigned Regional Office

Coordinate with Assistant Commissioner to confirm all cases that appear to not qualify for investigation

Prior to serving the Complaint, prepare a list of Complaints to be served and submit to the Assistant Commissioner for Intake to identify the Regional Offices that should be assigned to investigate the Complaints

Ensure all claims of discrimination are processed to Intake resolution no later than 30 days after receipt of the claim. This will include serving a Complaint, issuing a letter for Lack of Jurisdiction, or closing a case due to the Complainant's failure to respond timely

Answer calls from parties to an investigation on subject matters that require advanced knowledge

Supervise Office Assistants and Program Aides assigned to the Unit who are tasked with such activities that include, but are not limited to, obtaining evidence or clarity from Complainant, issuing letters, and following up timely with Complainants, serving the Complaint and inviting early conciliation

Qualification

Paralegal experienceLegal document preparationLegal researchCase management systemSupervisory skillsCommunication skills

Required

Current New York State Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service as a Legal Assistant 1 and are interested in reassignment

Current New York State employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service in a position at SG-12 or above and eligible for transfer under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law

Two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant

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)

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 one year of experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Graduation from an accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the educational and experience requirements for this title