LRLU PARALEGAL II

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN PARALEGAL CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OR BE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE OR BE IMMEDIATELY REACHABLE ON EXAM NO. 4070.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

The NYC Department of Social Services’ Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation to the Agency’s program areas in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies to ensure the delivery of social services and public benefits consistent with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit (SLRLU) provides litigation services and legal counsel to the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) and the Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration (IREA) in accord with Federal, State and City laws and regulations. SLRLU represents the agency in state court actions to establish paternity and support orders on behalf of DSS and assert liens and claims against Public Assistance and Medicaid recipients’ personal injury awards and estate assets. SLRLU defends the agency in state court actions filed against it for its administrative and lien recovery enforcement actions and regularly consults with the NYC Law Department as appropriate.

The Office of the General Counsel/ Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting for one (1) Paralegal Aide II to function as a Liens & Recovery Paralegal in the Data Control and Litigation Support subunit of the Support and Lien Recovery Litigation Unit (SLRLU) who will:

• Perform routine legal research under guidance of an attorney.

• Compute claims, liens, and coordinates correspondence of lien request for Medicaid and Public Assistance. Monitor case decisions and settlements, to ensure timely action and follow-up requests for payment.

• Prepare statistical and narrative reports reflecting the Unit's collection efforts.

• Request and monitor the receipt of Medicaid Claim Detail Reports and Transcripts of Public Assistance.

• Research information on real property, person locators and other necessary data of Public Assistance and Medicaid.

• Review case referrals to determine what actions are warranted and ascertain what additional information would be required in order to proceed.

• Process checks received as recovery for liens and claims for Medicaid and Recovery.

• Request information from attorneys who represent personal injury or estates involved in lawsuit cases, where DSS has a lien for Medicaid or Public Assistance or child support arrears.

• Answer written and telephone inquiries by recipients, fiduciaries, and their attorneys.

• May supervise Paralegal Aides serving at the first assignment level.

Hours/Shift:

Monday to Friday 9am – 5 pm with one-hour flex

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.

• Excellent verbal, written, interpretive, and interpersonal communication skills. • Detail-oriented with the ability to follow directions and apply proper policies, procedures, and guidelines. • Ability to work independently with frequent interruptions, manage deadlines, and adapt to changes in workflow. • Strong attention to detail and high concern for data accuracy. • Excellent organizational and creative problem-solving skills are essential. • Ability to learn, update, and edit existing proprietary applications, and quickly learn and use various computer systems. • Ability to interact and communicate (orally and in writing) with all levels of staff and court representatives.

The Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System);

401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training

and

Professional

Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.

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.