Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC or
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis
Transfer Eligible –
One year of permanent competitive service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law or eligible for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law (of which candidate must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below).
55-b/55-c Candidates - must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below and include with resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55-b/55-c program.
Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates and 70.4 transfer eligible): Candidates must have an associate's degree (or higher) in a paralegal/legal assistant program OR a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where either the degree or certificate was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent College and Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Legal Assistant Trainee
This position may also be filled at the Trainee level by appointment of a candidate reachable on the Legal Assistant Trainee list or in a title eligible to transfer to Legal Assistant Trainee 1. If filled as a trainee, the selected candidate must successfully complete a two-year traineeship. Trainees will be required to
successfully complete courses in specific areas, in addition to on-the-job training activities, prior to completing the traineeship. All trainees are required to successfully complete six course in paralegal studies and related skills from an accredited college or university. In addition, one or more college or training courses in writing skills will be required.
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

The Office of General Counsel, Corporate Bureau, is seeking a Legal Assistant I to perform various duties, which include: providing support to Ethics Counsel related to ethics training, outside activity approvals and travel approvals; providing administrative support to the Bureau; performing legal research and writing; drafting litigation advisories; understanding and drafting various types of agreements utilized by the Department; working closely with Contracts Counsel on procurement matters; handling vetting of donors and presenters; and assisting with various FOIL tasks for the Records Access Office.