Program Aide (NY HELPS) - Finance Bureau

Program Aide (SG-13)

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is seeking a candidate for a Program Aide (SG-13) position within the Finance Bureau, Travel Unit. The Travel Unit is responsible for processing travel expense reports and reviewing employee travel for all employees of OPRHP in accordance with the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), Travel manual, and the Guide to Financial Operations. Working collaboratively with the Business Services Center (BSC) and OSC, the incumbent will play a crucial role in ensuring that all employee travel reimbursements are audited accurately and processed in a timely manner. The incumbent will serve on a team of three staff who support all travel-related functions in a fast-paced team environment.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Receive, review, and process travel reimbursements. Accurately enter financial data into the Statewide Financial System (SFS) Travel Module to create and audit travel expense reports, ensuring compliance with state policies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal staff, regional offices, vendors, and external partners (JPMorgan, OSC, BSC). Monitor the central Travel Unit mailbox, managing incoming correspondence, and investigate and resolve inquiries regarding travel expenses.
• Run and analyze the weekly travel card aging report in SFS to track outstanding balances and compliance. Create and maintain internal tracking spreadsheets and databases to monitor travel compliance and unit workflows.
• Work within the JPMorgan system to process new travel card applications, update cardholder profiles, and manage active accounts.
• Utilize DocuSign to route documents and ensure employees and supervisors are obtaining the appropriate approvals for travel.
• Compile necessary documentation and enter out-of-state travel requests into the Agency Spending Controls Application (ASCA) for control agency review.
• Organize and maintain confidential financial records, assist with internal and external audit preparations, and provide administrative and paraprofessional support to the Travel Unit team.
• Assist with special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Non-competitive NY HELPS Minimum 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:

• Three (3) years of experience performing clerical, keyboarding, or paraprofessional work in an office environment.
• 55 b/c: This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program. Information about the 55b/c program can be found here:
• Competitive Qualifications:
• Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. Information regarding transfer eligibility is available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at
• OR Reachable on the appropriate eligible list.

Note: Non-competitive refers to not competing in an examination; the appointment will be competitive.

*NY HELPS PROGRAM:

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 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.

Additional Comments:

OPERATING NEEDS:

Must have experience with SFS.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel is preferred but not required.

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

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Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.