Non-Competitive Title

Salary Range: $65,532.48 - $72,196.80

**This is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The work involves performing paralegal assistant duties in the Erie County Water Authority’s Law Department. The incumbent works under the supervision of attorneys, paralegal, and confidential liaison, who assign work and projects. The incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of tasks, that while not requiring the skills of an attorney, nevertheless, entail the application of limited legal procedures and research techniques, to facilitate the preparation and checking of legal documents and matters for litigation. The incumbent's specific duties may vary within the broad framework of paralegal assistant skills. Supervision may be exercised over the work of others depending on assignment. The incumbent performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

  • Assists paralegal and confidential liaison, as required;
  • Assists with preparation of various legal documents as assigned;
  • Assists with incorporating legal references and includes an analysis of precedents involved in relation to the case of matter under discussion;
  • Searches legal reference files and other sources for information and data required by the Attorney;
  • Assists with the preparation and typing of pleadings, affidavits, motions, contracts, various legal documents, and legal notices for the Law Department;
  • Arranges for appointments and execution of legal documents;
  • Assembles exhibits, affidavits, legal documents, etc., for the use of the staff attorneys, and collects any additional information needed;
  • Assists with preparation of standardized forms required by the department;
  • Verifies citations in briefs, memos and opinions, rechecks the accuracy of cites cases;
  • Composes and prepares correspondences applying a knowledge of department operations and regulations;
  • Prepares invitations to bid and requests for proposals for purchase of services, professional services, supplies and materials;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Working knowledge of legal documents and procedures; good communication skills, particularly in writing clearly and effectively; ability to read and comprehend legal materials, including court cases and opinions; ability to perform accurate legal research; ability to prepare legal documents under the direction of a paralegal or attorney appropriate to a municipal law office; ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive cases and material; ability to assist legal staff by performing a variety of routine legal duties; ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A.    Completion of 30 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and one (1) year of experience providing clerical support to an attorney; OR

B.     Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND two (2) years of experience* providing clerical support to an attorney.

NOTE 1: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor's Degree; OR Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies may be substituted for the education and experience requirements listed above.

NOTE 2: Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.