Administrative Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Administrative Assistant 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services

Albany, NY

Posting Dates : November 10, 2025 - November 20, 2025

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 Assistant 1 or Trainee to work in the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services in Albany. The Administrative Assistant 1 or Trainee performs a variety of administrative and office support tasks, including answering phones, greeting visitors, managing calendars, scheduling meetings, preparing correspondence, and maintaining filing systems. They use standard office software and equipment, process mail, coordinate travel and events, and assists with tracking assignments and managing records. The Administrative Assistant 1 or Trainee may provide support to teams or committees, assist with document preparation, and supervise or train clerical staff.

The Administrative Assistant 1 or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Albany office located at 10B Airline Dr., Albany, NY 12235. Opportunities for telecommuting are available in accordance with the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Salary :

The starting salary for the Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 is $40,391 / year, and the hiring salary for the CSEA salary grade (SG) 8. 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-10 (starting salary of $45,081). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Administrative Assistant 1, SG-11 (starting salary of $47,695) 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 Assistant 1, SG-11 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-11 job rate salary of $58,447 / year!

Benefits :

This is a CSEA-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, paid parental leave, 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 :

Candidates may be eligible for a NY HELPS appointment to this title if there are fewer than 3 interested internal qualified candidates in direct-line lower-level promotion titles, AND they meet the listed NY HELPS open-competitive minimum qualifications, or the minimum qualifications listed on the most recent examination announcement for the Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 title.

NY HELPS Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 Qualifications : 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.

Advanced Placement :

NY HELPS Administrative Assistant Trainee 2 Qualifications : 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.

NY HELPS Administrative Assistant 1 Qualifications : 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.

NY HELPS Administrative Assistant 1 Minimum Qualification 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 :

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.

Additional 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 an Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, NS, Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, NS, or Administrative Assistant 1, G-11; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, NS : 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 : Employees Retirement System Examiner 1, G-9, Medicaid Eligibility Examiner 1, G-9, Office Assistant 2, G9.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Assistant Trainee 2, NS : 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 : Legal Assistant Trainee 2, NS, Driver Improvement Examiner Trainee, NS, Investigative Aide, G-9.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Administrative Assistant 1, G11 : 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 : Business Services Center Representative 1, G-11, Call Center Representative 1, G-11, Payroll Specialist 1, G-11.

Special Qualifications for Transfer : Some titles may need to meet special requirements in addition to time in title.

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.

Candidates appointed to the Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 or Administrative Assistant Trainee 2 must successfully complete a set training and development program to be advanced to the full performance level of this title.

How to Apply :

Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use this link to apply : Position Vacancy Online Application by : November 20, 2025. Within this online application please upload your resume and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Carman 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 :

Additional Position Information :

Division : Milk Control and Dairy Services

Negotiating Unit : CSEA

Location : Albany

Number of Vacancies : One

Status of Vacancy : Full-time; Permanent

Hours Per Week : 37.5 Hours

Jurisdictional Class : Competitive

Civil Service List(s) : Eligible List Exists