Office Assistant 1 (NY HELPS)

Office Assistant 1

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.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking an Office Assistant 1 to support the Division of Food Safety and Inspection in Brooklyn, NY. The Office Assistant 1 will be responsible for supporting the work of the Division by assisting with phone coverage, assisting in the electronic filing of inspection reports, scanning, and saving inspection reports and license applications, and assisting in maintaining Division databases. In addition, this individual will assist in mailings and supply fulfillment for field staff.

The Office Assistant 1 is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Brooklyn office located at 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications: There are no minimum education or experience requirements for this title.

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 1, SG-6: 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 Assnt 1 Keyboarding, SG-6, Security Services Assnt 1, SG-6, and Office Assnt 1 Stores/Mail, SG-6.
• 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.
• 55-b/c Qualifications: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: There are no minimum education or experience requirements for this title.

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).

Preferred Qualifications: While not strictly required, candidates with six months or more of prior clerical experience is preferred. This experience ideally includes tasks such as data entry, record keeping, and general office support.

Additional Comments

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.

Salary: The Office Assistant 1 position is in the CSEA Salary Grade (SG) 6. The starting salary of the CSEA SG-6 is $36,232/year. The candidate appointed to the Office Assistant 1, SG-6, 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. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-6 job rate salary of $ 44,828/year! Employees that work in New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties receive an additional downstate pay adjustment of $4.000/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.

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