The Family Court Division is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Paralegal for both its' Juvenile Delinquency and Interstate Child Support Units. This position encompasses responsible work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility performed under supervision of the Borough Chief, Deputy Borough Chief, Assistant Borough Chiefs, attorneys and/or higher level staff.

Qualified candidates assigned to the Juvenile Delinquency Unit will under supervision with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, manage discovery/caseload through various stages of legal proceedings or performs moderately difficult paralegal work; and performs one or more of the following types of paralegal duties:

Assists attorneys in the Family Court Intake Office with telephone inquiries, making copies of forms, rescheduling, address verifying; preparing, copying and filing of petitions, motions, orders family court minutes, orders 911 and other electronic recordings; escorts witnesses; picks up and distributes temporary orders of protections, subpoenas, warrants, probation referral forms, and dispositions.

Maintains case tracking using the LawManager program and notifies police officers, and chemists using the NYPD Appearance Control System.

Schedules appointments for witnesses to come in and give statement/sign release forms.

Opens files and determines what documents are needed to complete the file; drafts requests to secure these records; arranges for service of process; or transmits these requests once they have been executed and ensures that the evidence is received within the specified deadline.

Assists the staff attorneys in conducting preliminary warrant investigations and prepares warrant reports for filing in Court, documenting their efforts in this regard with the assistance of NYPD detectives.

Completes investigations to locate Respondents by using DMV records, LexisNexis/Lexis Advance and search engines. Assists the staff attorneys in conducting legal research.

Assist attorneys with Notices of Entry, Notices of Appeal, Requests for Appellate Division Intervention and files these documents with the Court.

Assists with front desk coverage by answering the telephones and responding to inquiries using computer based programs such as LawManager, Child Support Management System (CSMS) and the Universal Case Management System (UCMS).

Field work may be required to locate witnesses, serve documents, or retrieve some type of evidence (i.e. hospital records, photographs, videos, criminal court paperwork, etc.)

Using Outlook, emails or informs attorneys by phone when witnesses, police officers or agency representatives arrive.

Keeps sufficient office supplies and new case files in the Intake Office. Sort and distribute mail.

Retrieve, file and maintain the file room as needed. According to a weekly schedule, archive files of overage respondents using Excel and labeling/boxing files for storage in the municipal warehouse.

Qualified candidates assigned to the Interstate Child Support Unit will, with latitude for independent initiative and judgment, perform one or more of the following types of paralegal duties:

Review and evaluate child support cases to prepare correspondence with the initiating states.

Work collaboratively with the assigned attorneys to gather discovery and evidence needed to proceed in court.

Interview local custodial parents and prepare the necessary paperwork to send to the state of residence of the non-custodial parent. Maintain contact with the responding state and the local parent until completion of the case.

Researches case information using Law Manager and other databases.

Perform legal research.

Performs data entry. Enter the cases into internal case creation database.

Perform routine administrative duties when necessary including: photocopying, answering telephones, and managing calendars of attorneys.

Some of the physical activities performed and environmental conditions experienced include lifting and carrying boxes and files; climbing stairs; and traveling throughout the City on all types of public transportation, and/or walking in all kinds of weather, often carrying files.

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 State’s 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 State’s 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.

Candidates MUST possess at least one of these Additional Qualification Requirements for Level 2: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and either (a) 1 year of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services or (b) Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program or a program approved by the American Bar Association or A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by a combination of 12 semester credits in U.S. History, U.S. Political Science, U.S. Law, U.S. Paralegal Studies, U.S. Criminal Justice, U.S. Urban Studies, International Relations and/or U.S. Legal Studies or An associate degree or completion of 60 credits from an accredited college and three years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services or A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and five years of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services. Applicable to all applicants: Experience which is primarily legal secretarial or includes only incidental paralegal (legal assistant) services is not acceptable. To be acceptable, experience in paralegal (legal assistant) services must have involved the American Legal System.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.