Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleAdministrative Assistant 1/Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS) - Office of General Counsel
Occupational CategoryClerical, Secretarial, Office Aide
Bargaining UnitASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary RangeFrom $40391 to $58447 Annually
Duties Description The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is seeking an Administrative Assistant 1/Trainee 1/2 to support its small and collaborative team within the Office of General Counsel.
OPRHP oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, beaches, pools, golf courses, and boat launches, among other recreational amenities, across New York State, and eleven distinct park regions, is proud to have just celebrated the system’s centennial. Every employee demonstrates a commitment to serving the public, to protecting natural, historic and cultural resources, to providing creative and innovative programs and services, and to excellence and professionalism.
The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice, assistance, and guidance to OPRHP programs and administrative support divisions. OPRHP’s programs and divisions include Environmental Stewardship and Planning, Historic Preservation, Grants, Capital, Energy, Real Property, Finance & Contracts, Emergency Management, Health & Safety, Marine Services, Snowmobiles, Park Police, Concessions, and Partnerships, among others.
Working under the supervision of the General Counsel and/or a Supervising Attorney, the Administrative Assistant will:
• Act as point-of-contact for the office and direct the flow of information, answer main telephone, maintain general mailbox (physical and email), respond to requests, and distribute electronic solicitations and mailings;
• Administrative support for attorneys, prepare general correspondence, prepare and track documents for storage, schedule meetings, submit tickets for and coordinate ITS support; develop and maintain file systems (hard copy and electronic);
• Make travel arrangements for and act as travel proxy for attorneys, including making hotel, car, and train bookings, reconciling travel card expenses, and submitting travel expense reports;
• Manage the purchase of goods and services for Office of General Counsel use, to include requisitions, purchase orders, receiving reports, contracts, and P-card purchases;
• Assist Records Access Officer with Freedom of Information Law responses including collecting and reviewing responsive documents and assisting with redactions;
• Coordinate and tracking processing of small claim settlements;
• On-boarding and off-boarding of Office of General Counsel staff;
• Draft, format, proofread, and file legal documents;
• Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes and reports;
• Assist with establishing office procedures;
• Track deadlines and documents, and maintain databases;
• Maintain office supplies and equipment;
• Coordinate with executive level support staff and executives to complete time sensitive assignments;
• Assist in other program areas or special projects as needed; and
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel or other attorneys.
Minimum Qualifications If Civil Service Eligible list(s) exist, they will be canvassed. You may also apply if you are eligible for appointment or reinstatement by one of the following qualifications:
NY HELPS or 55-b/c QUALIFICATIONS:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55-b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 (Non-Statutory Equated to SG-8):
Six months of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training at the Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Trainee 2.
Administrative Assistant Trainee 2 (Non-Statutory Equated to SG-10):
One year of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2 you will advance to the full level of this title without further examination.
Administrative Assistant 1, SG-11:
Two years of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration.
Substitution:
Certification (e.g., IAAP Certified Administrative Professional) or associate’s degree in office administration, secretarial science, administrative assistance, paralegal, business technology, or office technology substitutes for two years of experience.
Please note: Appointments made at a traineeship level (Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, NS equated to SG-8, and Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, NS equated to SG-10 leading to Administrative Assistant 1, SG-11). Candidates appointed to the Trainee 1 level will be required to complete four mandatory courses during the first year of the traineeship and elective courses in the second year of the traineeship in four competency areas. Candidates appointed to the Trainee 2 level will be required to complete the elective courses prior to advancing to full title. The courses are offered to CSEA employees through the New York State & CSEA Partnership. Trainees will be able to complete the courses either through classroom or online training and webinars. Transfer eligible candidates can complete the required coursework prior to appointment to be eligible for advance placement into the Administrative Assistant Trainee 2 or Administrative Assistant 1.
For more information about the Administrative Assistant Traineeship, including the course requirements, please visit: https://nyscseapartnership.org/administrative-assistant-traineeship.
55-b/c QUALIFICATIONS:
Current permanent non-competitive state employees certified eligible for the 55-b/c program under the Governor's Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55-b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. To be considered, you must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response and meet the HELPS qualifications listed above.
REASSIGNMENT QUALIFICATIONS:
You must be a current New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) employee with one year of permanent, competitive, or 55-b/55-c service as an Administrative Assistant 1/Trainee 1/2.
70.1 TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
At least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as a Grade 6 or higher. The service must be in a title that Civil Service has deemed transfer eligible to the position.
Note: The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.
For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.
SUBSEQUENT 55-b/c QUALIFICATIONS:
A subsequent 55-b/c appointment may be considered if you have at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service and have a current Civil Service 55-b/c letter of eligibility.
52.7 NON-COMPETITIVE (NCP) QUALIFICATIONS:
It is the intention of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to fill a permanent competitive position of Administrative Assistant 1 in the Peebles Island State Park located at 1 Delaware Avenue North, Cohoes, NY 12047.
The promotion minimum qualification for appointment are: One year of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55b/c service as an Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, SG-9 or an Office Assistant 2 (Keyboarding) Spanish Language.
As required by the New York State Department of Civil Service, we are posting for this position to determine if there are any qualified OPRHP employees interested in a permanent appointment to the position. If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in the position who meet the promotion minimum qualifications, a permanent appointment can be made via non-competitive promotion (NCP), pursuant to Section 52.7 of New York State Civil Service Law.
Please Note: In order to be considered for appointment via non-competitive promotion, candidates serving in the established promotion field must not have failed the last two holdings of the Administrative Assistant 1 promotion exam.
Note: Non-competitive refers to not competing in an examination; the appointment will be competitive.
PROVISIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
In the absence of an eligible list(s) with three or more candidates willing to accept a position, a temporary provisional appointment may be considered. For provisional appointment, candidates must be meet the following minimum qualifications:
Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 (Non-Statutory Equated to SG-8):
Six months of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training at the Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Trainee 2.
Administrative Assistant Trainee 2 (Non-Statutory Equated to SG-10):
One year of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2 you will advance to the full level of this title without further examination.
Administrative Assistant 1, SG-11:
Two years of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration.
Substitution:
Certification (e.g., IAAP Certified Administrative Professional) or associate’s degree in office administration, secretarial science, administrative assistance, paralegal, business technology, or office technology substitutes for two years of experience.
*NY HELPS PROGRAM:
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a permanent 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 of 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.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024, and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/2025 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.
*If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
Additional Comments OPERATING NEEDS:
• Proficient in Microsoft office, especially Word and Excel; SharePoint and Statewide Financial System (SFS) experience preferred.
COMMENTS:
The CSEA contracts allow for salary protection for seasonal / hourly employees who are appointed to permanent graded positions with lower hiring rates under certain circumstances. We encourage OPRHP seasonal / hourly applicants to check in with your Regional Business Office Administrator to inquire about the potential impact on your salary.
Depending on each applicant's experience and/or education and current salary, if employed by New York State already, the appointment may be made to the Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, or the Administrative Assistant 1 titles. Included below is a breakdown of the salary at each level of the traineeship.
Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, NS=8: $40,391 - $49,743
Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, NS=10: $45,081 - $55,322
Administrative Assistant 1, SG-11: $47,695 - $58,447
If you have previous or current employment at a NYS agency, to be considered for this position, a review of your state history is needed. Please provide the last four digits of your social security number in your email response or on your resume. If you are not comfortable providing this information in your response, a representative from our office may contact you.
BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off:
• CSEA: 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave
Learn more about our benefits for permanent state employees, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address Employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
625 Broadway
Notes on ApplyingPlease be advised that New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation does not use E-Verify and does not offer sponsorship for employment visas statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT). Candidates sponsored for employment by an organization should be aware of their sponsorship status and the relevant expiration date(s) of that sponsorship before applying to this position.
All candidates must submit a written resume and cover letter which clearly demonstrates how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Please submit your resume and cover letter as a Word or PDF attachment. We are unable to open documents from Google Docs, Google Drive, OneDrive, Apple Pages, and/or “the cloud”.
Your application must be received by JULY 31, 2026 and submitted via email to employment@parks.ny.gov
Please use the email subject line: AA1 - 220081 - Albany
Failure to do so may result in not being considered for the position.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to accurately describe their experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications. Failure to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications and operating needs may result in your resume not being considered for this position.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
Executive Order 31 commits New York State government to becoming a model employer for people with disabilities, increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service and ensuring equal access to opportunities. OPRHP encourages people with disabilities to apply. If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Equal Opportunity Unit at ReasonableAccommodation@parks.ny.gov or (518) 486-7754.