Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Posting Dates: July 8, 2026 - July 18, 2026

 

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets!   Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.

 

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee to work within the Counsel’s Office. The Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee will compile and organize files and documentation; assist with FOIL processing and FOIL document review; prepare and assist in the preparation of legal documents and forms; catalog information; update databases or spreadsheets; assist with calendaring of hearings and proceeding deadlines; prepare correspondence and subpoena; and conduct research.

 

The Legal Assistant 1 or Trainee is a permanent, office-based position conveniently situated at our headquarters, at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. Our location offers easy access near the Albany International Airport and Wolf Road, with ample free parking available for all employees. This is a full-time role, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

 

The starting salary for the Legal Assistant Trainee 1 is $47,695/ year, and the hiring salary for the CSEA salary grade (SG) 11. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship. After successful completion of the first year of the traineeship, the appointee will advance without further examination to the Trainee 2 level SG-13 (starting salary of $53,413). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Legal Assistant 1, SG-14 (starting salary of $56,506) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Trainee 2 or full performance level. For more information, see Advanced Placement below. 

 

The candidate appointed at, or who has otherwise reached the Legal Assistant 1, SG-14 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations.  Performance advances are payable to CSEA employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-14 job rate salary of $68,630/ year!

This is a CSEA-represented position offering a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. You'll benefit from cost-effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off. Your first year includes 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays – providing excellent work-life balance. Explore additional advantages with programs such as the Optional Payment Election Program, Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program. For comprehensive details on these programs, please visit the New York State Office of Employee Relations website.  

 

As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)! The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct student loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or another eligible employer. 

 

 

NY HELPS Legal Assistant Trainee 1 Qualifications: High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.

 

NY HELPS Legal Assistant Trainee 1 Qualification Substitution: An associate degree (or higher) in any field, where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

 

NY HELPS Advanced Placement Qualifications: 

 

To be appointed at the Legal Assistant Trainee 2 level: High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience AND an additional one year of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see “examples of qualifying experience” below).

 

To be appointed at the Legal Assistant 1, G-14 level:  You must have two years of full-time experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see Qualifying Experience below).

 

NY HELPS Legal Assistant 1, G-14 Qualification Substitution: An associate degree (or higher) in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies program OR a certificate in a paralegal/legal assistant program where

the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American

Bar Association (ABA) OR an associate degree in any field where the degree was granted from a regionally

accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) AND one year of

experience as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant (see Qualifying Experience below) OR graduation from an

accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required for NYS Bar will be accepted as meeting the

educational and experience requirements for this title.

 

Examples of Qualifying Experience: a Paralegal/Legal Assistant is someone who applies knowledge of the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients, and courts; prepares and interprets legal documents and forms; researches, compiles, and uses information from legal materials to provide both written and verbal comments on their findings; and analyzes and handles routine procedural problems independently with minimal attorney oversight.

 

Examples of non-qualifying experience: receptionist, records clerk, bookkeeper, office manager.

 

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 may be 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 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 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.

 

You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following minimum qualifications.

 

Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Legal Assistant Trainee 1, NS, Legal Assistant Trainee 2, NS and Legal Assistant 1, G-14; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Legal Assistant Trainee 1: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 1, G-11, Office Assistant 2, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Calculations, G-9, Office Assistant 3, G-14, Program Aide, G-13.   

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Legal Assistant Trainee 2: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 1, G-11, Office Assistant 2, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, G-9, Office Assistant 2 Calculations, G-9, Office Assistant 3, G-14, Program Aide, G-13. 

Completion of 3 acceptable courses in Paralegal coursework.

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Legal Assistant 1, G-14: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such transfer titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Assistant 2, G-15, Business Services Center Representative 2, G-14, and Office Assistant 3, G-14.

AND Both A) Possession of 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 Colleges and Schools (ACICS), or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), AND B) completion of all of the coursework requirements for the Legal Assistant traineeship.

 

70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Legal Assistant 1, G-14: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a Grade 12 title or higher.

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 Colleges and

Schools (ACICS) or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Substitution: Graduation from an

accredited (ABA approved) law school with a degree required by New York State Bar admittance will be

accepted as meeting the educational requirements. Non-qualifying degrees: Non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to degrees in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts, Political Science, Business Administration and Business Management. Non-degree certificates of completion or diplomas awarded by a training institution or company not regionally accredited or accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) or approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) are not qualifying.

Received a passing score on the most recent Legal Assistant 1 examination. 

 

Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission. 

 

55-b/c Qualifications: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: High school or high school equivalency diploma AND one year of clerical, administrative, or paraprofessional experience.

 

55-b/c Qualification Substitution: An associate degree (or higher) in any field, where the degree was granted from a regionally accredited college or university, or one approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

 

Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov). 

 

Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to this opportunity must apply by: July 18, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Leo in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.

 

The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.