Review Vacancy
AgencyEducation Department, State
TitleMuseum Scientist 1, Box OCE-1563/29101
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $66951 to $85138 Annually
Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education is seeking candidates for a Museum Scientist 1 position at the New York State Museum (NYSM) in Albany, NY. Under the supervision of a Museum Scientist 2 or higher, the Museum Scientist 1 will perform entry- level scientific and technical tasks in the Paleontology Collection of the Research & Collections Division. Duties for this position include, but are not limited to the following:
• Acquiring, identifying, documenting, caring for, organizing, and maintaining specimens, objects, artifacts, and documents pertaining to the Paleontology Collection;
• Cataloging and maintaining specimen/object/locality records using the State Museum’s digital collections software and Crystal Reports;
• Photographing and digitizing specimens, objects, and/or documents;
• Providing information on and access to the NYSM Paleontology Collection for institutions, researchers, and the public, and facilitating the use of this collection for research, loans, and exhibits;
• Supervising collections technicians, interns, volunteers, and students in properly organizing, caring for, and cataloging the Paleontology Collection;
• Coordinating with prospective donors (e.g., research scientists, the public) to review and arrange for specimen donations;
• May perform independent fieldwork to acquire data for research and/or to acquire specimens, objects, and artifacts for the Paleontology Collection;
• May be assigned to independently collect scientific data and information to write reports, research papers, and/or produce maps, in whole and/or in part;
• Participating in the development of Museum exhibits; and
• Developing and delivering public programs to the Museum's diverse audiences, as assigned, that may relate to current exhibitions or ongoing research. These may include gallery talks, public lectures, guided tours, or hands-on activities, with a focus on engaging family-based audiences, such as the Rock & Fossil Fun Fair, Women of Science Program, various Teacher’s Workshops, and other programs run in collaboration with the Museum Education Office.
Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Bachelor’s Degree and two years of professional experience or a master’s degree and one year of professional experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference may be given to candidates who have:
• Master's degree in paleontology, geology, biology, archaeology, anthropology, or related field with experience in New York paleontology
• Experience creating and maintaining specimen records including using digital collections software and Crystal Reports.
• Experience managing and tracking specimen loans.
• Experience identifying, organizing, caring for, and maintaining specimens, objects, artifacts, and documents in a museum collection.
• Experience photographing and digitizing paleontology specimens.
• Experience giving collections tours and speaking to scientific and general audiences.
• Experience supervising interns, volunteers, and students in proper paleontology collections care techniques, including specimen digitization and databasing.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This will be a contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree and experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position will require 10% in-state/Statewide travel.
This position leads to a maximum salary of $85,138 based on annual performance advances
APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by March 24, 2026 to ocejobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1563/29101) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights 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, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.
Interested in a job with New York State, but don’t know where to start?
Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf
Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Opportunities for telecommuting.
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Email Address ocejobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, OHRM, Room 528 EB
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by March 24, 2026 to ocejobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1563/29101) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.