Legal Staff Paralegal in Albany, NY

Government

Albany, NY

Legal Staff Paralegal in Albany, NY

Legal Staff

4-4 yrs required

No

Job Title
Fair Hearings Specialist 1 Spanish Language (NY HELPS)

Job Responsibilities
The Fair Hearings Specialist 1 Spanish Language position involves a variety of responsibilities centered around the administrative hearing process within the department. Key duties include:
- Providing information regarding hearing procedures to State agency and local district staff, clients and their representatives, and other parties.
- Processing requests for administrative hearing records, Fair Hearings, Homebound Hearings from appellants/representatives, Intentional Program Violations Hearings, and waiver of appearance requests from local social services districts and its agents.
- Scheduling hearings and prioritizing them in accordance with federal and state regulations, law, and court decisions.
- Managing workflow at hearing locations and conducting other matters regarding the administrative hearing process.
- Handling general inquiries from clients, their representatives or local agencies and making referrals to appropriate program areas or proper agency.
- Determining continuation of aid status and good cause for adjourning and reopening hearings.
- Drafting responses to correspondence relating to the hearing process.
- Screening and processing emergency hearings.
- Retrieving, analyzing and/or updating information from various systems such as the Fair Hearing Information System, Welfare Management System, and others.
- Identifying the governmental entity or agent taking adverse action against clients and ensuring all relevant parties are notified about a hearing request.
- Fielding compliance complaints and referring more complicated cases to the appropriate supervisor.
- Gathering statistical data and preparing reports.
- Assisting supervisor in preparing written procedures.

Education and Experience Information
Minimum Qualifications for the NY HELPS program include:
- Four years of paraprofessional or professional experience providing services to individuals in need of and/or eligible for social services programs or implementing/administering programs regulated by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, or the New York State Department of Health.

Substitution Options:
1. College education in any field may substitute for up to four years of the experience noted above at the rate of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent thereof. A bachelor’s degree may substitute for all four years of experience.
2. An associate or higher degree in law or legal assistant/paralegal education from a regionally accredited college or university, or college or university accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), may substitute for all four years of the experience noted above.
3. Completion of a legal assistant/paralegal education, qualifying non-degree certificate program where the certificate was issued by a regionally accredited or ACICS accredited college or university AND two years of paralegal experience may substitute for all four years of experience noted above.

55 b/c Appointment:
This position is eligible for 55 b/c appointment, and candidates with 55 b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55 b/c appointment, candidates must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and meet the qualifications listed above.

Competitive Qualifications:
Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title.

Salary Information
The salary range for the Fair Hearings Specialist 1 Spanish Language position is from $62,088 to $68,630 annually.

Additional Comments
Full-time permanent appointments will be made. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Candidates for the Fair Hearings Specialist 1 (Spanish Language) must be capable of communicating with the Spanish-speaking population regarding fair hearing-related inquiries, requests, and complaints. In processing written correspondence and e-mail requests, the incumbent must possess the ability to directly translate the incoming source documents without having to obtain verbatim written translations. In addition, applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish at a level that will ensure their ability to adequately perform the duties of the position.

Remarks:
Interested applicants should send their cover letter and resume to the provided email address and reference the specific posting number. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how they meet the minimum qualifications in their submissions. The department seeks to promote a diverse workforce and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check.

The department does not discriminate against disabled individuals and provides reasonable accommodation at the time of the interview if required.