Review Vacancy
TitleProgram Research Specialist 2 (Human Services) - Albany (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $86681 to $109650 Annually
Duties Description Duties of the Program Research Specialist 2 (Human Services) may include but are not limited to:
• Performs all the duties of a Program Research Specialist 1.
• Plan and develop the steps to be followed in validating tables and reports for the UISIM project and carryout the plan.
• Determines the kinds of information needed and the data sources and collection methods to follow.
• Provides technical advice, consultation, and guidance on operating programs to staff, agency officials, and others.
• May assist a Program Research Specialist 4 or other staff in studies of major agency programs that have statewide implications and interrelate with other programs.
• Responds to ad hoc requests from within DOL, other state agencies or from the general public when necessary.
• Create charts, tables and graphs to display the data, using Excel, Power BI, or other appropriate software application.
• Prepare any written narrative or analysis of the data displays using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook or other software.
• Compile, verify and analyze UI data using SQL from the Data Warehouse and the transactional UISIM system.
• Display positive interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills with coworkers and when completing work assignments.
• Lead and mentor fellow staff in data analysis techniques, SQL development, and best practices for documentation and reporting.
• Conduct in-depth analyses comparing system outputs to validate accuracy and identify trends or discrepancies during system rollouts.
• Performs the full range of supervisory responsibilities over lower-level Program Research Specialists and staff.
• Experience with forecasting techniques and tools to estimate workload for management.
• Performs data extraction, data linkages, and data queries using SQL.
• Translate business and operational questions into actionable data analysis.
• Perform advanced analysis to support process efficiency, identify risks and operational needs of the UI Trust Fund model.
Minimum Qualifications 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, if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.
NY HELPS Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by nine (9) semester credit hours in statistics, biostatistics, economics, econometrics, mathematics, research methods, data analysis, data science, or data modeling and one (1) year of professional research experience performing the collection, manipulation (e.g., data construction, merging data files, data cleaning, working with data files containing different levels of data) and evaluation of quantitative data directed toward review, analysis, and presentation related to program operations.
Your degree must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You will be required to provide this information to the hiring agency at the time of interview.
OR one (1) year of permanent service as a Program Research Specialist 1 (Human
Services).
It is expected that employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status in the future, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded 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. If you are interested in the NY-HELPS program, or this position, you may reply to this vacancy posting, or you may visit the New York State Department of Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/help/ (copy and paste in browser) to register today, in three easy steps.
Note: It is essential that you describe your qualifying education and/or experience as completely as possible on your application; your application should describe in detail the kind of service and information you provide to the general public. Omissions or vagueness may not be interpreted in your favor. Additionally, in accordance with Civil Service Law, provisional service immediately prior to a permanent appointment to this title is now credited towards the completion of probation upon permanent appointment.
Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Reassignment Qualifications: (DOL Employees Only)
Current Department of Labor employees only, with at least one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55b/c service in a Program Research Specialist 2 (Human Services); if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current Program Research Specialist 2 (Human Services) eligible list for this location, if one exists.
52.7 Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) Qualifications: (DOL Employees Only)
To be eligible for NCP, candidates must be in the Department of Labor promotion field and have one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55 b/c service as a Program Research Specialist 1 (Human Services). If 3 or fewer qualified Department of Labor Program Research Specialist 1 (Human Services) respond to this posting, Civil Service may approve the permanent appointment of one of the qualified Program Research Specialist 1 (Human Services) without further examination. Note: Non-competitive refers to not competing in an examination; the appointment will be competitive.
52.6 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent as a Grade 21or higher determined to be administrative by Civil Service.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent as a Grade 21 or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.
Note: 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
Preferred Qualifications:
• Ability to initiate and maintain relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Proven experience with applied science in data economics, particularly machine learning algorithms for labor market research (e.g., models used to analyze, predict, and optimize job matching, skill demand, and workforce trends, primarily through natural language processing (NLP) and predictive modeling, job matching, skill gap analysis, salary forecasting, and analyzing recruitment data using SVM or Random Forests).
• Demonstrated oversight of program operations while supervising a team of professional staff and demonstrated strong organizational, reporting and communication abilities.
Additional Comments Candidates with no previous state service will begin at the starting rate of the salary range listed above.
If you are a current NYS employee and have questions regarding salary, please contact the Business Services Center (BSC): 518-457-4272, BSCHR@ogs.ny.gov.
Telecommuting is available and can be discussed during the interview.
Employment at the Department of Labor is contingent upon the maintenance of a valid work authorization and necessary documentation to work legally in the United States.
Please note: Due to operational requirements and funding considerations of various divisions/positions, there could be occasions in the future where unit assignments may change. Should this occur, it will not impact your title, salary or location.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• 13 paid holidays, 5 personal days, and a minimum of 13 vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave (CSEA and PEF employees- 13 days; M/C employees- 8 days plus free enrollment into the Income Protection Program for short-term and long-term disability coverage).
• Choice of several affordable and competitive health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans at no additional cost
• Membership in the NYS Employee’s Retirement System
• NYS Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
• Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (full-time employees)
• Eligibility to apply for tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees and courses
• Paid Parental Leave
Our mission is to provide outstanding services to our customers—the workers and business that call New York home. We help New Yorkers find careers they will love. We build and support New York’s businesses. We empower and protect New York’s workers. To learn more about our mission and the exciting work of the DOL, please visit: https://dol.ny.gov/about-us
DOL is committed to fostering employee engagement and work-life balance. We offer telecommuting (up to 40%) and alternative work schedules to eligible employees. Our exciting training and development opportunities, including Coursera and our formal Employee Recognition Program allow us to develop, recognize, and celebrate our workforce.
Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, length of State service, and program area.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Fax EFax: 5184742871@fax.ny.gov
Email Address YourDOLJourneyIsHere@labor.ny.gov
Address
Street State Office Campus, Building 12
1220 Washington Avenue
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should copy the below web address into your browser to complete the online application for the Department of Labor.
https://on.ny.gov/apply2dol
Vacancy: 211234
Title: Program Research Specialist 2 (Human Services)
Location: Albany
Please submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the minimum
qualifications, including specific experience with dates. It is essential to clearly describe qualifying education and experience when applying; vague or incomplete information may lead to disqualification.
Unofficial transcripts and/or other documents will be required for certain positions as indicated in the minimum qualifications.
All documents must be received by: 3/23/2026
Upload all documents as unlocked and accessible files.
If experiencing difficulties with the above link, please contact:
YourDOLJourneyisHere@labor.ny.gov
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Department of Labor 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.
If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please contact: Department of Labor, Attn: Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (ODEIA), Building 12, Albany, NY 12226 (Phone (518) 457-1984 and/or fax (518) 485-2575.)