Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyAgriculture & Markets, Department of

TitleFood Laboratory Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $49363 to $65001 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 5%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8 AM

To 4 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County Albany

Street Address 6 Campus Access Rd

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12203

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications 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.

NY HELPS Qualifications: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences; OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.


Advanced Placement:
For Trainee 2: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences AND one year of experience using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to conduct analytical testing in support of food safety, food security, agricultural interests, and consumer interests;
OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.

This will reduce the traineeship time by one year.

For Full Performance Level: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences AND two years of experience using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to conduct analytical testing in support of food safety, food security, agricultural interests, and consumer interests;
OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience, and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous chemistry lab-related experience or a degree in chemistry is preferred.

Additional Minimum Qualifications:

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Food Laboratory Specialist 1, G-18: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they 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 Specialist 1, G-18, and Human Resources Specialist 1, G-18.

Special Requirements for 70.1 Transfer: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.

70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Food Laboratory 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 or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.
AND
Received a passing score on the most recent Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Select Title examination.

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: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.

Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at https://www.cs.ny.gov/dpm/c55.cfm.

Duties Description Position Information:

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking two Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1s to work in the chemistry section of the Food Laboratory. The Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 receives and prepares samples for testing and analysis, following proper laboratory protocols related to handling, labeling, and storage; performs laboratory testing methods using chemical principles; calibrates instrumentation to establish and demonstrate appropriate conditions for a particular analysis; operates complex laboratory equipment, instrumentation and electronic data processing and computer equipment; analyzes test results and prepares summaries and reports of analyses to document findings, observations, and results; performs duties in compliance with standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements; and contributes towards method development, process improvement, and/or investigations into new techniques, methods, and instrumentation. These positions require the completion of a two-year traineeship. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Trainee 2 or full performance level. For more information, see Advanced Placement above.

The Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 positions are full-time, working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. These positions don’t permit remote work.

Benefits:
These are PEF-represented positions that offer 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!

Salary:
The starting salary for the Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 is $49,363/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 13. 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-14 (starting salary of $52,198). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Food Laboratory Specialist 1, SG-18 (starting salary of $65,001) 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 full title Food Laboratory Specialist 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18. The starting salary of the PEF SG-18 is $65,001/year.

The candidate appointed at the Food Laboratory 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 $82,656/ year!

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. 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.

Contact Information

Name Debbie Leo

Telephone 518-457-3216

Fax 518-457-8852

Email Address HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov

Address

Street 10B Airline Drive

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12235

 

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=8a78859e91e312fe019200a71be31d01&specialization=

Please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter within this online application. The deadline to apply is September 27, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Leo in the Division of Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988.