Review Vacancy
AgencyAgriculture & Markets, Department of
TitleAdministrative Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $85138 Annually
Duties Description Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.
Position Information:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking an Administrative Specialist 1 or Trainee to work in Albany. The Administrative Specialist 1 or Trainee performs the full range of professional administrative activities and may supervise clerical, paraprofessional secretarial, and lower-level professional staff assigned to the office. The incumbent will perform staff services for executive staff and program managers by administering the Freedom of Information Act by reviewing requests for information, locating material requested and determining if it is available to the public in accordance with the law, and forwarding the material to the requestor.
We are seeking a full-time Administrative Specialist or Trainee. This position is based in our Albany office at 10B Airline Drive, Monday through Friday (37.5 hours per week). Our office is conveniently located near the Albany International Airport and offers free parking. Opportunities for telecommuting are available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Salary:
The starting salary for the Administrative Trainee 1 is $53,764/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship. After successful completion of the first year of the traineeship, the appointee will advance without further examination to the Trainee 2 level SG-16 (starting salary of $59,994). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Administrative Specialist 1, SG-18 (starting salary of $66,951) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Trainee 2 or full performance level. For more information, see Advanced Placement below.
The candidate appointed at the Administrative Specialist 1, SG-18 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-18 job rate salary of $85,138/ year!
Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free dental and vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays!
As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)! The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct student loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or another eligible employer.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications:
NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher
Advanced Placement:
For Trainee 2:
Either 1: A bachelor's degree and one year of professional experience providing administrative and staff support to executives, program managers and staff, boards, or commissions by overseeing budget, human resources, and business services activities for an organization or program; OR
2. a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled **
This will reduce the traineeship time by one year.
For Full Performance Level:
Either 1. A bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience providing administrative and staff support to executives, program managers and staff, boards, or commissions by overseeing budget, human resources, and business services activities for an organization or program; OR
2. a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled** AND one year of professional experience in the areas listed above.
You must inform the hiring agency of additional professional experience at the time of interview.
**Hiring agencies have discretion in determining whether a degree is related to the duties of the position.
Alternate Minimum Qualifications:
You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following minimum qualifications.
Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS, Administrative Specialist Trainee 2, NS and Administrative Specialist 1, G-18; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.
52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Specialist 1, G-18: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Administrative Specialist 1, G-18.
52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Specialist Trainee 2, NS: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Administrative Specialist Trainee 2, NS.
52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications:
To Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS: You must have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Business Systems Analyst Trainee 1, Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1; Office Assistant 3; or
To Administrative Specialist Trainee 2, NS: You must have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Administrative Analyst Trainee 2, Business Systems Analyst Trainee 2, Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2, Disaster Preparedness Program Representative 1; or
To Administrative Specialist 1, G-18: You must have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Contract Management Specialist 1, Economic Development Program Specialist 1 (Agriculture), Food Laboratory Specialist 1, Human Resources Specialist 1, Senior Budgeting Analyst.
70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a Grade 11 title or higher.
AND
A bachelor’s degree or higher.
AND
You must have passed the most recent Professional Career Opportunities examination (PCO) or Public Administration Transition Test (PATT), to be eligible for transfer to Trainee level 1.
Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.
55-b/c Qualifications to Administrative Specialist Trainee 1, NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: a bachelor’s degree or higher.
55-b/c Qualifications to Administrative Specialist Trainee 2, NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: a bachelor’s degree or higher and one year of professional experience providing administrative and staff support to executives, program managers and staff, boards, or commissions by overseeing budget, human resources, and business services activities for an organization or program OR a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled.
55-b/c Qualifications to Administrative Specialist 1, G-18: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: a bachelor’s degree or higher and two years of professional experience providing administrative and staff support to executives, program managers and staff, boards, or commissions by overseeing budget, human resources, and business services activities for an organization or program OR a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled** AND one year of professional experience.
Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).
Additional Comments NY HELPS Program:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov
Address
Notes on ApplyingTo apply for this position, you must copy and paste the link below into your web browser. This link will lead you to our online employment application:
https://recruitingbypaycor.com/career/SubmitResume.action?clientId=8a7883d07a219b0d017a53a2e3bb0f9a&id=8a78839f98ed639a01990b4bf9853d6d&specialization=
Please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter within this online application. The deadline to apply is 9/12/2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura DeBraccio in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.
The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.