Paralegal

Division/Unit: Pathways to Public Safety Division

Civil Service Title: Community Associate

Position Title: Paralegal

Salary Range: $52,110 - $55,284

Job Description:
The New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) has openings for paralegals in its Pathways to Public Safety Division. Paralegals in the Pathways to Public Safety Division provide a full range of support to Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) as they determine which defendants are appropriate candidates for problem-solving court dispositions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Communicate with assigned ADAs and court stakeholders regarding Pathways referrals.
  • Draft orders to produce, subpoenas, transcript requests, and other official documents, as needed.
  • Create files for defendants seeking a problem-solving court disposition and assist in investigating their criminal histories, including communication with New York State and other jurisdictions’ law enforcement agencies.
  • Prepare files for problem-solving court appearances each week.
  • Create and maintain spreadsheets to track relevant information for the Pathways to Public Safety Division.
  • Take detailed notes during defendant interviews.
  • Carry out administrative duties such as ordering supplies, managing Outlook calendar invites, and coordinating with other units within DANY on different tasks.
  • Perform additional tasks as needed.

In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements, candidates must possess the following:

  • Level 1: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
  • Level 2: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and one (1) year of experience either as a paralegal in the criminal justice field or equivalent.
  • Level 3: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience either as a paralegal in the criminal justice field or equivalent.

Preferred Requirements/Skills:

  • Up to 2 years of experience based on level.
  • Highly skilled in standard computer operating systems and software (Adobe Acrobat, Windows, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) with strong ability to learn new software.
  • Superior organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments efficiently.
  • Ability to communicate with all levels of staff, witnesses, defense attorneys, private businesses, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies.
  • Excellent interpersonal, time-management, writing, and communication skills. Must work well as part of a team.
  • Ability to take initiative; creative problem-solving skills are essential.
  • Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to follow directions and apply proper policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Ability to learn, update, and edit existing proprietary applications, and quickly learn and use various computer systems.
  • Ability to work independently with frequent interruptions, manage deadlines, and adapt to changes in workflow.

How to Apply:

  • Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcript.

Hours/Shift:

  • Monday - Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Additional Information:

  • Current office employees: To be eligible for a transfer or promotion, staff must have already served at least one (1) year in their current unit/bureau/department and be in good standing. In addition, staff must meet the minimum and additional qualifications of the position.
  • Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

  1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
  2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

Public Service 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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement:

  • City Residency is not required for this position.

The New York County District Attorney’s Office 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.