Investigation Division - Trial Preparation Assistant, Level II (ACPI)

The Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County (“BXDA”) is charged with the twin goals of ensuring public safety and striving for equal justice for the over 1.4 million members of the Bronx County community. By “Pursuing Justice with Integrity,” the BXDA places a focus on assistance for crime victims while simultaneously ensuring fairness to defendants. Moreover, the BXDA aims to balance the need to seek appropriate punishment for certain crimes while recognizing when punitive measures do not adequately advance justice. By recognizing these significant distinctions and acting accordingly, BXDA has established a standard of excellence in the representation of the Bronx community at large, which continues to grow stronger every day.

The Bronx County District Attorney’s Office (BXDA) Animal Cruelty Prosecution Initiative (ACPI), within the Investigations Division, is seeking Trial Preparation Assistant Level 2 to join ACPI’s multidisciplinary team consisting of ADAs, investigators, and professional staff members in the investigation and prosecution of crimes committed against animals in Bronx County which may include animal fighting, gross neglect and abandonment, the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and intentionally abusing, torturing, injuring of animals. The TPAs will also assist in ACPI’s efforts to prevent animal abuse through education, training, community engagement, and collaboration with community-based organizations to assess needs and appropriate services. Moreover, the TPAs will work closely with law enforcement agencies and other organizations including the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Detective Squad (ACIS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

- Work closely with the ADAs and investigators handling these cases
- Self-starter who can work independently
- Strong writing and communication skills as well as strong attention to detail skills
- Responsible for monitoring inbox for referrals and inputting the information into spreadsheets
- Maintaining and updating spreadsheet of active cases and investigations
- Strong familiarity with Microsoft Excel
- Liaise and communicate with partners such as NYPD, ASPCA, and other stakeholders to obtain necessary discovery documents
- Occasionally draft accusatory instruments
- Attend court proceedings
- Court filings
- Compile, analyze, redact, and reproduce case documents for discovery compliance and case preparation
- Preparation and filing of documents
- Timely retrieval of documents and records
- Assist in preparing hearing/trial exhibits & discovery for trial
- Timely conversions of instruments to information
- Retrieve all necessary documents and records from law enforcement agencies, hospitals and other entitles
- Produce effective communication with different agencies
- Locate and retrieve property maintained by NYC Police Dept.
- Perform legal research
- Engage in witness contact and communication
- Secure corroborating affidavits
- Prepare orders for Court, including Motion Responses, Legal Memorandums, Search Warrants, Subpoenas, and Orders to Produce.
- Work directly with Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) on specialty cases
- Accompany ADAs in court observing, capturing updates, and assisting in Trials
- All other relevant duties as assigned

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
- A baccalaureate degree preferred or a high school diploma with four (4) years of work experience in a law firm, governmental agency, civic or community organization.
- A Valid driver's license with a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience is required and must be maintained for the duration of employment.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent analytical, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Data Analytic tools (ex. Power Bl), Database Query Language (ex. SQL), Scripting languages (ex. Python/R), and Prosecution Case Management Systems
- Familiarity with legal terminology and court procedures preferred.
- Understanding of the criminal justice system used in New York State and New York City is preferred.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and strong ethics.
- Exhibit an ability to maintain confidentiality of information

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057

Qualification Requirements
1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

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.