Contract Management Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Contract Management Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Division of Fiscal Management


Albany, NY

Posting Dates: May 15, 2026 - May 25, 2026

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 hiring a Contract Management Specialist 1 or Trainee within the Division of Fiscal Management located in Albany. The Contract Management Specialist 1 will work primarily with the Purchasing Team to develop, evaluate, and review contracts, Requests for Proposals (RRPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Applications (RFAs), and other related financial documents; perform routine administrative processes associated with contract lifecycle management; review contractor performance and ensure adherence to contract terms and conditions. The Contract Management Specialist 1 will conduct contract monitoring tasks, including managing necessary contract modifications and amendments; process contract claims and vouchers and approve/review contract payments to ensure compliance with contractual obligations; provide technical assistance and guidance to internal stakeholders and contractors regarding contract matters; may supervise and guide subordinate staff involved in contract administration.

The Contract Management Specialist 1 or Trainee is a permanent, office-based position conveniently situated at our headquarters, at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. Our location offers easy access near the Albany International Airport and Wolf Road, with ample free parking available for all employees. This is a full-time role, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Salary:

The starting salary for the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1 is $53,764/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. 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 examination to the Trainee 2 level, which is equivalent to the hiring salary for PEF SG-16 (starting salary of $59,994). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Contract Management Specialist 1, SG-18 (starting salary of $66,951) without 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 Contract Management Specialist 1, SG-18 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive annual performance evaluations. Performance advances may be 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 advancements may lead to the SG-18 job rate salary of $85,138/ year!

Benefits:

This is a PEF-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 may 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.


NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications:

For Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1: a bachelor's degree or higher.


For Advanced Placement to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2:

Either 1: If you meet the minimum qualifications and have one year of professional experience managing contracts and related budgets including one or more of the following areas: negotiation with contractors and vendors; fiscal management, including bidding, payment, analysis, and fiscal reporting; contract development, including developing requests for proposals; contract execution, including securing signatory approval from control agencies; monitoring and review of contract terms, you may be appointed to the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2; OR

2. a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled


This will reduce the traineeship time by one year.


For Advanced Placement to Contract Management Specialist 1:

Either 1 . If you meet the minimum qualifications and have two years of professional contract management experience as stated above, you may be appointed to the Contract Management Specialist 1, Grade 18; OR

2. a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a field related to the position being filled AND one year of professional contract management experience as stated above, you may be appointed to the Contract Management Specialist 1, Grade 18.

You must inform the hiring agency of additional professional experience at the time of interview.

Hiring agencies have discretion in determining whether a degree is related to the duties of the position.

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.

Alternate 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 a Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, NS, Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2, NS and Contract Management Specialist 1, G-18; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.

52.6 Transfer Qualifications:

To Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, NS: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made must be designated administrative and be within two salary grades of the target title.

To Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2, NS: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made must be designated administrative and be within two salary grades of the target title.

To Contract Management Specialist 1, G-18: This position is designated administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made must be designated administrative and be within two salary grades of the target title.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications:

To Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, NS: You must 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 Trainee 1, NS, Business Systems Analyst Trainee 1, NS, and Budgeting Analyst Trainee 1, NS.

To Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2, NS: You must 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 Trainee 2, NS, Business Systems Analyst Trainee 2, NS, and Budgeting Analyst Trainee 2, NS.

To Contract Management Specialist 1, G-18: You must 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, Business Systems Analyst 1, G-18, and Senior Budgeting Analyst, G-18.

70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, NS: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree to be eligible for the Budgeting Analyst Trainee 1.

AND

You must have one year of permanent, competitive service in a Grade 11 title or higher

AND

You must have passed the most recent Professional Career Opportunities examination (PCO) or Public Administration Transition Test (PATT), may be eligible for transfer to Trainee level 1.

Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Permanent employees who have 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 degree or higher. For appointment to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2 you must also have one year of professional contract management experience. For appointment to Contract Management Specialist 1, you must also have two years of professional contract management experience.

Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).

How to Apply: Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Leo in Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

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 need a reasonable accommodation, please visit:

Additional Position Information:

Division: Fiscal Management

Negotiating Unit: PEF

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