Office Assistant 2 (NY HELPS)

Join Our Team at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

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 Office Assistant 2 to join the Division of Agricultural Development in Albany. The Office Assistant 2 will be responsible for preparing, processing, and reviewing claims to assess the presence of any missing invoices and supporting documents. Additional duties include but are not limited to: evaluating forms for program eligibility and collaborating with other program personnel; managing a shared inbox to track submitted claims and their progress; effectively communicating with contractors regarding submission issues; managing budget reports and expenses; and assisting program staff in editing and developing program materials. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.

The Office Assistant 2 is a permanent, office-based position conveniently located in our headquarters at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. We are located near the Albany International Airport and Wolf Road and provide ample free parking. This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Salary: The Office Assistant 2 position is in the CSEA Salary Grade (SG) 09. The starting salary of the CSEA SG-9 is $42,641/year. The candidate appointed to the Office Assistant 2, SG-9, 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 CSEA 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. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-09 job rate salary of $52,413/year!

Benefits: This is a CSEA-represented position offering a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. You'll benefit from cost-effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off. Your first year includes 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays – providing excellent work-life balance. Explore additional advantages with programs such as the Optional Payment Election Program, Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program. For comprehensive details on these programs, please visit the New York State Office of Employee Relations website.

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.

NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications: When a NY HELPS title can be filled with promotion and open-competitive qualifications, and the entire promotion eligible list is exhausted or does not exist, a NY HELPS appointment can be made in the following ways:

A NY HELPS appointment may be made for a qualified employee in a direct-line, lower-level promotion title. Direct-line lower-level promotion title NY HELPS Qualifications: The direct line field is comprised of a single title that is the immediate lower-level title to the title being filled. This requires one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as an Office Assistant 1, SG-6.

If there are fewer than 3 interested, qualified internal candidates in the direct-line lower-level promotion title then: Candidates may be eligible for a NY HELPS Open-Competitive appointment to Office Assistant 2 if they meet the open-competitive NY HELPS qualifications, or the qualifications listed on the most recent examination announcement for the Office Assistant 2 title.

Open-Competitive NY HELPS Qualifications: One year of clerical experience.

Office Assistant 2 Examination Announcement Qualifications: One year of permanent, competitive service as an office assistant, clerical, or keyboarding title allocated to Grade 6 or higher. Qualifying titles are available at: Office Assistant 2 Qualifying Title List.

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: You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following minimum qualifications.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Office Assistant 2, SG-9: 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: Office Assistant 2, SG-6, Office Assistant 2 Keyboarding, SG-9, and Office Assistant 2 Calculations, SG-9.

Non-Competitive Promotion: If there are three or fewer interested and qualified promotion candidates, the agency may at its discretion nominate a qualified employee for a non-competitive promotion under the provisions of Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. Non-Competitive Promotion Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as an office assistant, clerical, or keyboarding title allocated to Grade 6 or higher. Qualifying titles are available at:

Provisional Appointment: If there is no appropriate eligible list of at least three people willing to accept permanent appointment for this geographic location, the Department may nominate a qualified person for a provisional appointment under the provisions of Section 65 of the Civil Service Law. Provisional Appointment Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an office assistant, clerical, or keyboarding title allocated to Grade 6 or higher. Qualifying titles are available at:

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.

How to Apply: Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use the below link to apply by: July 18, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter. If you have any questions, please contact Marisa Weston 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 are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: