Job Description

Job Description

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

The Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies to the Department of Social Services and all DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The APS/LPCU provides litigation support and counseling to HRAs Adult Protective Services Program (APS). On behalf of the citys most vulnerable at-risk, impaired adult population, the APS program makes referrals to APS/LPCU for legal review of proceedings for stays of eviction and appointments of Guardians ad litem in the Civil Court, or for Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 guardianship in the Supreme Court. The units attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and where the legal standard is met will draft pleadings and adjudicate such proceedings. Failure to provide these legal services to APS could expose HRA to State imposed sanctions for failure to comply with APS statutes and regulations, as well as, placing a frail and vulnerable population at risk. Under general supervision, with some latitude for independent judgment and initiative, the Senior Trial Preparation Assistant will be responsible for providing support services to attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs/APS LPCU.

The Office of the General Counsel of Legal Affairs (OLA) is recruiting for one (1) Paralegal Aide II to function as a Senior Trial Preparation Assistant for their Adult Protective Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit (APS/LPCU) who will.

- Drafts pleadings or other legal documents based on computer generated templates.

- Responds to inquiries from in house and outside counsel, program staff, vendors, and various parties involved in legal proceedings.

- Files papers in court or retrieves copies of court papers.

- Reviews and processes subpoenas, affidavits, notices, and court orders for an attorneys approval, and conducts simple legal research.

- Collects, assembles, and reviews routine data, opening and maintaining legal files, to generate legal documents and maintain legal files and tracking logs.

- Prepares weekly and monthly statistical reports relating to individual and groups of cases in various stages of the litigation process.

Work Location: 4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007

Hours/Schedule: Monday to Friday 9am 5 pm with one-hour flex

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); or

2. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and two years of full-time satisfactory experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or

3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a States Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and four years of full-time satisfactory experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or

4. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 above. Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program or from a program approved by the American Bar Association can be substituted for 12 months of experience. Undergraduate credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for 12 months of experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a States Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.

To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.

Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable.

Special Note:

Individuals must have one additional year of pertinent paralegal experience or have a baccalaureate degree in addition to the requirements listed above to be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II duties and pay of Paralegal Aide.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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