Legal Coordinator

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City's evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The DOC seeks to recruit Legal Coordinators whose task will include but are not limited to the following:

• Providing inmates with information regarding current State and Federal statutes and case law
• Directing inmates to source materials appropriate to their individual situation
• Instructing a basic legal research class and provide training in the drafting of various motions and writs
• Reviewing law journals and other publications for information on current legal developments
• Administering the operation of a correctional institution Law Library
• Providing legal assistance to inmates in a correctional institution Law Library and/or housing unit
• Ensuring that updated legal materials are incorporated in the library's collection
• Performing the function of a notary public
• Providing support for special projects and initiatives when necessary

Minimum Qualifications

1. A law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and six months of full time satisfactory experience providing legal services assistance to defendants, offenders, ex-offenders or plaintiffs; or

3. An associate degree from an accredited college or university or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and two years of full time satisfactory experience as described in "2" above; or

4. A satisfactory combination of education and experience which is equivalent to "2"or "3" above. College credit may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university for 9 months of experience. Paralegal certification obtained from an accredited program or from a program approved by the American Bar Association can be substituted for an associate degree and 6 months of experience.

However, to satisfy the education requirement and qualify under this section "4", candidates must have at least an associate degree, 60 semester credits or paralegal certification. The amount of experience required to qualify under this section "4" depends upon the candidate's education; however, no candidate may qualify under this section "4" with less than 6 months

of full time satisfactory experience as described in"2"above.

Experience in providing legal services assistance to defendants, offenders, ex-offenders or plaintiffs must have included both

a. Obtaining legal information through the use of United States Federal, State and local Statutes, Reporters, Digests, and Shepard' Citations; and

b. The preparation and filing of writs and motions with various United States Federal, State and local courts of record.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in handling multiple assignments with competing deadlines with a high degree of detail and accuracy.- One year of full-time satisfactory experience acquired in the United States, in the performance of paralegal (legal assistant) services.- Paralegal Certification obtained in the United States from an accredited program, or a program approved by the American Bar Association.- Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.- Notary Public certified in New York State.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

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.