Trial Preparation Assistant, Law Enforcement Officers Witnesses Unit

The Office of the Queens County District Attorney (QDA) seeks a Trial Preparation Assistant (TPA)/Paralegal to support the Law Enforcement Officers Witnesses unit (LEOW). The LEOW Unit is tasked with conducting background checks on police officer witnesses who will testify at hearing or trial as a witness for the prosecution. This requires the gathering, organizing, reviewing, redacting, synthesizing and dissemination of discovery that tends to impeach the credibility of any such testifying law enforcement officers, as required by New York State C.P.L. *245.

Specifically, LEOW and LEOW TPAs are responsible for requesting and obtaining officers' disciplinary background information (e.g. internal affairs information), civil lawsuit histories, Civilian Complaint Review Board histories, and other similar information for potential dissemination to defendants, as required discovery, and to synthesize it into a disclosure letter that summarizes the information and is accompanied by supporting documents, all within strict timelines. Because the nature of the work necessitates that the LEOW Unit operate as a cohesive team, TPAs must exercise high levels of diligence, professionalism and courtesy to enable everyone in the unit to successfully accomplish their shared goals.

Performing these tasks requires TPAs that are extremely detail-oriented, organized, and able to work diligently under strict timelines while maintaining strict confidentiality of the materials and information. TPAs must submit requests to partner agencies for initial materials for specific officers and, upon receipt, to thoroughly review the initial materials to identify areas for follow up and potential disclosure. The TPAs then must submit follow-up requests to the partner agencies to request more in-depth supporting documentation regarding the identified issues. Upon receipt of the supporting documentation, the TPAs must review the materials to identify discoverable information and make necessary redactions to the materials, (e.g. redaction of PDF files). The TPAs then draft a disclosure letter for each individual officer that summarizes the discoverable information against that officer, and the TPAs make that disclosure letter and supporting documents available for distribution to ADAs via QDA's Case Tracking System.

This position offers the unique opportunity to contribute to work that touches nearly every prosecution pursued by QDA. For every case where a law enforcement officer might testify at hearing or trial, LEOW is required to conduct a background check into that officer. This also means that LEOW TPAs are required to be extremely diligent, detail oriented, and dedicated to providing exemplary work product. This position also offers the unique opportunity to work with interesting information, such as police department internal affairs records, that are often highly protected from public view. As such, LEOW TPAs are required to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities, in addition to those described above:

1. Obtain all necessary evidence and documentation relating to officers' background from outside sources and/or electronic systems (e.g., police internal affairs materials, civil lawsuit materials, Civilian Complaint Review Board materials, prior testimony materials where there were adverse credibility rulings, etc.).
2. Accurately track work assigned, including documents needed, documents requested, documents obtain, and dates due by, to ensure that assignments are completely in a thorough and timely manner.
3. Communicate current status and progress of work assigned to persons such as the LEOW Administrative Coordinator, LEOW Unit Chief, and assigned ADAs so those counterparts can act accordingly and ensure that work is completed thoroughly and timely, and where appropriate TPAs must identify issues to escalate the LEOW Administrative Coordinator and LEOW Unit Chief.
4. Maintain working knowledge and up-to-date certification of QDA and other law enforcement computer applications where applicable, including Case Tracking applications, NYPD LIMS applications, and public websites such as NYPD officer records websites, Civilian Complaint Review Board officer records websites, and other similar applications and websites.
5. Ability to work in an extremely detailed oriented manner and respond in a high-volume fast-paced environment, while meeting necessary deadlines in a teamwork-based environment.
6. Understand and evaluate different materials such as law enforcement, civil court, and civilian complaint paperwork in order to ensure all necessary evidence is requested/received/redacted/disseminated for a case.
7. Maintain a basic understanding of legal rules under C.P.L. 245.20(1)(k)(iv) and C.P.L. 30.30 to ensure that the needs of ADAs are met in a thorough and timely manner.
8. Perform clerical and related duties as needed including answering phones, taking messages, faxing, scanning and copying.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned to support the LEOW Unit.

Preferred Education and Qualification Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree preferred in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies or related area or equivalent education and/or experience. Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience as a paralegal, legal assistant or in another similar capacity or candidates with an A.B.A. approved paralegal certificate. All candidates must have at least a high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Trial Preparation Assistants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to interact with staff at all levels and to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with competing demands. Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach, including strong follow-up skills, accuracy and the ability to meet deadlines is also required.

Applicant Information:

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

STARTING SALARY (NON-NEGOTIABLE): $55,000; upon completion of two years of service, salary: $60,000.

Comprehensive benefits including, but not limited to, medical, dental, deferred compensation, NYC pension.

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.

To apply, qualified and interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, transcript and writing sample by clicking on the link below: