"Alerted.org

Paralegal and Legal Assistants 041AB

+ Full-time

+ 28 Liberty St. 15th Floor New York, NY 10005

+ $20 to $25 /hr

+ Legal Assistant 1 (Spanish Language)

The Legal Assistant 1 will be assigned to the bureau’s intake functions and will perform tasks that require knowledge of employment laws, the work of the labor bureau, its intake system and protocols. In addition, they will be tasked with responding to and handling complaints received by the bureau under the New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act (“FIFA”), which was enacted on August 28, 2024. The Act extends protections to freelance workers statewide, including requirements for timely payment, written contracts and anti-retaliation. In addition to providing a private right of action, FIFA empowers the OAG to investigate violations of the law, to enjoin unlawful acts, obtain restitution and issue penalties. Although OAG enforcement is not mandatory, there is no other enforcement mechanism stated in the law.

The LA1 will be provided with clear guidelines as to how to screen complaints and how to route, resolve, and/or assign them to bureau attorneys based upon analysis of the subject matter and the exercise of sound discretion and decision-making. A considerable amount of independent judgment must be exercised to properly resolve complaints in accordance with various State and federal laws, internal procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines that require interpretation.

The expected tasks are as follows:

+ Respond, in various forms (verbal and written), to questions from the general public or others concerning the work of the bureau and its intake protocols.

+ Review communications from the public (email, phone message, mailed letters, faxed letters, online complaint forms) to make an assessment of subject matter. If additional information is necessary to properly ascertain subject matter, contact complainants to obtain such

+ Interview members of the public to obtain detailed information regarding complaints made to the bureau in order to determine the best course of action based on the information obtained.

+ Use the guidelines and other resources provided to determine whether a complaint falls within the bureau’s jurisdiction or should be referred to another bureau or entity/agency. Make appropriate referrals and recommendations to resolve complaint, under the supervision of bureau attorneys as necessary.

+ Inform members of the public who contact our office about our procedures and what to expect as their complaint/inquiry/communication is reviewed and assessed.

+ Contact various persons to obtain information to make proper determinations concerning inquiries from the public. This includes individuals both within and outside the Labor Bureau, including Constituent Services and other bureaus within the Attorney General’s office.

+ Enter and assign inquiries/complaints from the public into NYMatters (the Attorney General’s electronic case management system). Manage, update and close such complaints/ inquiries.

+ Respond to more complex inquiries regarding the bureau’s receipt and handling of complaints from particular individuals or entities, including the OAG press office, state legislators, etc.

+ Run reports on complaints received and handled by

+ Prepare the bureau’s monthly intake

+ Update the bureau’s Intake Wiki, which provides resource information concerning employment laws, guidance and resources.

+ Work with bureau attorneys and contact employers about potential resolution of callers’ claims/complaints.

+ Assist in identifying inquiries/complaints received by the bureau in response to FOIL requests.

+ Manage and organize public complaints/inquiries for record- keeping/reporting purposes.

+ May develop, maintain and/or update database programs and methods of data analysis (within or external to NYMatters) for the intake

+ Research laws, rules, statutes, etc. in order to find solutions to complaints received.

+ Monitor and evaluate the entry of intake data in NYMatters and assist in correcting problems and errors.

+ May assist in the recruitment of employees by answering questions and providing information concerning the particulars of the position, bureau goals and objectives.

+ May review employment applications and identify candidates that meet qualifications for job postings.

+ May perform initial interviews with candidates to determine qualifications and interest in employment.

+ Update and maintain training materials for the position and suggest appropriate changes to protocol.

+ Work with bureau attorneys on complaints that are elevated to investigations, including scheduling and interviewing witnesses/workers, reviewing and preparing legal documents, etc.

+ Assist in both dealing with the backlog of the bureau’s FIFA complaints and dealing with incoming FIFA complaints. Under the supervision of an AAG, be the first point of contact for FIFA complainants, gather information and documents to assess the claim and whether a violation of the law may have occurred.

+ Send correspondence to the hiring party of a FIFA complaint, detailing facts of the initial complaint; request a response from the hiring party.

+ Attempt to informally resolve the matter, working with an AAG to obtain restitution for the worker.

+ Must work collaboratively with supervisors and bureau

*No Parking Provided

+ Click to Apply (https://evoportalus.tracker-rms.com/KnowledgeBuilders/apply?jobcode=18527)