CDS Paralegal/Service Window

Communications and Docketing (CDS) Clerks process and route thousands of pieces of mail and update the records for various legal divisions in the New York City Law Department. CDS Clerks are responsible for processing legal materials for all of the Law Departments borough offices as well as filing and updating the case files for all court cases currently being managed by the New York City Law Department.

All legal documents and case matters need to be processed with accuracy and efficiency while following strict protocols and legal guidelines. The successful candidate will handle all assigned work with a high level of independent thought and consistent follow through.

Responsibilities will include:

Intake, logging, routing, and docketing of a diverse amount of legal documents and requests. Process requests received electronically, verbally, and written.

Perform data entry into in Law Department database and update various document types for multiple legal divisions.

Assist in daily processing of critical time sensitive documents. Identify and receive documents served on the city at our service window while interacting with the public in a professional and courtesy manner.

Sort mail based on type and perform multi-level sorts. Work with mail equipment and various package vendors systems for mail processing.

Provide support at the hand delivery station. Process documents received at the electronic fax station.

Photocopy litigation documents and files. Work on special projects as required. Cross train with different operations units. Completion of daily production logs is required.

PARALEGAL AIDE - 30080

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.

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. 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. Candidates are preferred to be able to work independently, be assertive, highly organized, detail-oriented and have excellent computer skills, and written and oral communication skills. Candidates should be able to create and edit documents in Microsoft Word and Excel. Candidates are preferred to be computer proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications. As well as FileSite and Law Manager.

Note: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter and resume that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. If you wish to learn about the 55-a Program, please visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/55-a-program.page.

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.