Legal Staff Associate Jobs

*** ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. ***

*** This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and DC37***

***To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the Job ID number and Position Name in the subject line.***

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Under The Direction Of Attorneys Or Non-attorney Supervisors Within The General Counsel Division, The Legal Staff Associate Will

DCWP’s General Counsel Division seeks a Legal Staff Associate to be a member of a collaborative team working to ensure that New York City businesses are knowledgeable of and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations within DCWP’s jurisdiction.

• Participate in small and long-term projects relating to investigations, prosecutions, and complex litigation.
• Draft general correspondence and legal documents to respondents, consumers and others.
• Perform other tasks and assignments as directed.
• Conduct interviews and testify at hearings.
• As directed, monitor and maintain database of specific incoming complaints and complaints results.
• Prepare written reports summarizing research and review of licensee records.
• Compile, maintain, and perform analysis of data for compliance, investigations, and agency requirements.
• Distribute complaints, as appropriate, to coordinating Attorney for drafting of summons.
• Respond to inquiries from businesses on compliance matters.
• Attend group project meetings and assist attorneys and/or supervisors in preparing and giving presentations for internal and external events.
• Conduct database, online, and published material research in connection with department investigations.
• Perform data entry, mail merges, copying, scanning, filing and other tasks to support attorney case work and other organizational efforts.
• Review and analyze business records, complaints, agency operational data, and other documentation.

Minimum Qual Requirements

Qualification Requirements

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and one year of satisfactory clerical experience.

Skills Requirement

Keyboard familiarity with the ability to type at a minimum of 100 key strokes (20 words) per minute.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Access, Word; PowerPoint and SharePoint are pluses), Adobe Acrobat Professional software; work with PDF documents and files and as well as with a variety of online resources;
• Able to conduct database and online research of government and business records.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
• At least one year of experience working with attorneys such as in a legal assistant, paralegal, project management, process improvement role preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written and professional interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment and maintain the flexibility to shift priorities quickly, effectively and with accuracy.
• Knowledge and understanding of litigation terminology and processes with the ability to read and understand legal rules and regulations.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to appropriately handle legal issues, highly sensitive documents, privileged and confidential information.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail.

Additional Information

In addition, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers competitive salaries and the following benefits:

Paid Time Off and Holidays

• Paid time off for sick leave
• Paid time off for vacation and personal leave
• A generous holiday package of up to 13 days

Health Benefits

• Medical insurance plans
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and vision insurance plans

Financial and Savings Benefits

• Direct deposit
• Transit benefit programs
• Loan forgiveness
• New York City Municipal Credit Union savings program
• 529 college savings plan
• Flexible spending account programs

Retirement and Pension Plans

• New York City Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 401(k) and 457 plan
• New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS) pension plan

Additional Benefits For Union Members

• Please note only employees represented by a labor union may qualify for additional benefits provided by the union welfare fund.
• Tuition reimbursement
• Supplemental hospital coverage
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Health club reimbursements

Employee Discounts

• Special pricing on event tickets through Barclay Center, Plum Benefits and Working Advantage
• Cell phones and plans
• Gym memberships
• And more!
• Apple and Dell products

To Apply

For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site and type “Consumer and Worker Protection” on the search line. Then locate the Job ID number.

For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self Service (ESS) to view and click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search by Job ID number.

a Resume And Cover Letter Are Required.

PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS POSITION.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, E-MAILS, OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED.

NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.

• Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
• 55-a Candidates: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and culturally responsive workforce. We strongly encourage 55-A candidates to apply to our positions in order to be given the opportunity.
• Drug Screening: A drug screening may be required prior to being appointed.
• LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with DCWP qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• 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.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations that enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by others. If you are contacted to attend an interview for one of our open vacancies and would like to request an accommodation for that date, please send an email to [email protected].

If interested in being sent our job postings on a monthly basis, please email your resume at [email protected]. Make sure to include your personal contact information and the civil service title you are currently serving and civil service exams you have taken.

55-a Program

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.

Public Svc Loan Forgiveness

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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF .

Residency Requirement

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.