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Join the fight against climate change and take advantage of a unique opportunity on the cutting edge of climate policy at the New York City Department of Buildings. DOB has an essential role in implementing and enforcing New York City’s ground-breaking climate policies, including Local Law 97, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s largest buildings. In a city where buildings contribute nearly three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions, a focus on efficiency, building energy usage, and decarbonization is critical. DOB is committed to becoming the nation’s premier municipal building organization, enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers, and making our city a safer and healthier place to live. Become a member of DOB’s Bureau of Sustainability team and make a real difference.
Under general supervision, with latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and judgment, the Sustainability Paralegal will work on enforcement cases and projects with Sustainability Bureau staff. Duties include, but are not to:
- Assisting with case management throughout legal process - responsible for maintaining caseload.
- Performing routine legal research and summaries, drafting legal communications for review by higher level staff.
- Preparing legal documents from templates for filing or serving upon interested parties.
- Assisting attorneys with trial preparation.
- Assisting in obtaining, reviewing, updating, and maintaining physical and/or electronic files.
- Working with Sustainability Bureau staff to promote effective enforcement and compliance.
- Completing special projects and assignments.
- Performing routine administrative duties when necessary, including photocopying, filing, and scanning.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and either (a) one 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 from a program approved by the American Bar Association; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, 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
3. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services; or 4. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of full-time satisfactory experience, acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services.
CIVIL SERVICE STATUS
Only permanent Paralegal Aides, applicants who are reachable on the Paralegal Aide open competitive list, applicants who passed the most recent exam for Paralegal Aide, and applicants as indicated below will be considered.
Candidates who are permanent in comparable civil service titles may be considered for title change under rule 6.1.9 of the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York
REMOTE WORK
This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program.
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.
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.
