Legal Assistant

Possible Hybrid Workplace Opportunity

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

A Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Job Summary 

The Legal Assistant will provide principal Paralegal and assist with administrative support for the attorneys in the transparency and appeals unit and occasionally in the real property legal unit. They will possess advanced self-starting, time management, organizational, computer programming, and work processing skills. 

Job Duties 

• Provide principal paralegal and administrative support for the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) unit. 
• Provide paralegal and administrative support to several attorneys in the real property legal unit and appeals unit as needed. 
• Possess advanced self-starting, time management, and organizational skills; be familiar and proficient with Adobe, computer and word processing; and use the internet to perform legal research and locate cases, statutes, regulations, legislation, recording, tax information and law review articles as requested. 
• Create, organize and maintain MS Access, SharePoint and other databases as needed by the unit with the assistance of the IT unit. 
• Assist with management of FOIL requests and document discharges for the Housing Trust Fund Office of Asset Management. 
• Assist, as needed, on HTFC mortgage closings including but not limited to document review and collection as well as assembling and archiving of permanent legal closing binders for the unit. 
• Familiarity with real property closings and the document recording process. 
• Familiarity with NYS Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) procedures. 
• Other special assignments for the supported units as needed. 

 Qualifications: 

• BS/BA and 2 years of practice as a legal assistant or paralegal.
  1. Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate’s degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience 
• Experience with public policy, administration, real estate, housing, land use and/or development, finance, energy, federal funding and procurement, would be beneficial. 
• Demonstrates ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, outside attorneys, and constituents. 
• Ability to work under pressure on a wide variety of projects on a given day. 
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills. 
• Must be proficient in MS Office (SharePoint, Excel, and Word) and Adobe Acrobat Pro. 

 What we offer at NYSHCR: 

• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
• Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
• Opportunity for compressed scheduling
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employer.

 About New York State Homes and Community Renewal: 
 

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders. 

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies. 

 Applicants must include resume and cover letter

 New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)