Review Vacancy
AgencyEducation Department, State
TitleMuseum Scientist 5, Box OCE-1628/28070
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $123754 to $151566 Annually
Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education (OCE) is seeking candidates for a Museum Scientist 5, SG-29 position in the New York State Museum. As the nation’s oldest and largest state museum, home to more than 20 million specimens and artifacts, with a longstanding program of biological research and collections, the Museum offers an exceptional platform for scientific research, collections stewardship, statewide service, and public engagement. Reporting to the Director of Research and Collections, the Chief Biologist leads the Museum’s Biology Department and the New York State Biological Survey, establishes scientific and programmatic priorities, advances research on New York’s biodiversity and natural history, stewards significant biological collections, builds partnerships, and helps shape how the Museum interprets and communicates the biological richness of New York State to broad audiences, including children and families.
The New York State Museum is part of the Office of Cultural Education (OCE) within the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Established in 1836, the Museum has a longstanding tradition of research, collections, education, and public service, while the New York State Geological Survey is the nation’s oldest continuously operating geological survey. As the Museum expands its reach and advances a major period of renewal, this position offers a rare opportunity to help shape its next chapter through scientific leadership with statewide visibility and lasting public impact.
The successful candidate will provide scientific, administrative, and strategic leadership for the Biology Department and its Biological Survey while maintaining an active program of original research. The position requires an experienced scientist and manager who can lead staff, secure and administer external funding, direct biological surveys and field and laboratory investigations, oversee significant biological collections, develop strong professional partnerships, and communicate biological science effectively to a wide range of audiences. As a senior scientist within a public museum, the Chief Biologist will also contribute to the Museum’s educational and interpretive mission through exhibitions, public programs, educational initiatives, and programs for children and families. The successful candidate will be able to translate biological research, collections, and discoveries into engaging and accessible experiences that deepen public understanding of New York’s biodiversity, natural history, and changing ecosystems. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Serve as the Chief Biologist of the New York State Museum, providing scientific, administrative, advisory, educational, and public-service leadership. Lead the Museum’s Biology Department and its Biological Survey; supervise professional and technical staff; serve as the Department’s principal point of contact within the Research and Collections Division; and establish research, collections, and programmatic priorities.
• Maintain an active program of original biological research focused on New York State, including field, laboratory, collections-based, and collaborative investigations. Initiate new research and provide scientific direction for work conducted by Biology Department staff, including review of research goals, methods, and outcomes within established Museum priorities.
• Lead and provide scientific oversight for the Biological Survey’s research and field investigations, including studies documenting New York’s flora, fauna, biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural history. Establish research and survey priorities, direct staff assignments, and oversee cooperative research projects with federal and State agencies, academic institutions, and other scientific partners.
• Prepare research findings and reports for publication and broader professional dissemination, including peer-reviewed journal articles, monographs, books, and other scholarly or technical publications that advance understanding of New York’s biodiversity and natural history; and review and support the publication of work by Biology Department staff.
• Provide leadership for the stewardship and use of the Museum’s biological collections, including developing research and collections policies, promoting collections for research, exhibitions, education, and public programs, and overseeing their care, documentation, and accessibility. May serve as curator of a major biological collection, with responsibility for its intellectual integrity and physical stewardship.
• Develop and lead competitive grants and cooperative funding initiatives that advance biological research, survey activities, collections, education, and public programs; serve as principal investigator or project lead, as appropriate; and ensure effective stewardship of commitments, budgets, reporting, and deliverables.
• Provide administrative and programmatic oversight for the Biology Department and its Biological Survey, including the effective use of staff and resources and the management and tracking of State, federal, and externally funded expenditures, travel, contracts, purchases, project schedules, and other operational responsibilities necessary to advance departmental priorities and long-term goals.
• Establish and sustain statewide and national scientific and professional partnerships with federal and State agencies, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; colleges and universities; museums; conservation and environmental organizations; and other scientific, cultural, and educational institutions. Represent the NYSM and its biological research programs in professional meetings, conferences, committees, and collaborative forums.
• Contribute to the Museum’s public-facing, educational, and interpretive work for broad audiences, including children and families, collaborating with Museum colleagues to translate biological research, collections, and discoveries into engaging and accessible exhibitions, public programs, lectures, tours, hands-on activities, teacher workshops, family programs, and other interpretive experiences. May develop and curate original exhibitions related to New York’s biodiversity, natural history, and biological collections.
• Provide biological expertise and scientific information to State agencies, the public, and scientific and educational partners on matters relating to New York’s biodiversity and natural history; and contribute to Museum-wide initiatives that advance the missions and public impact of the NYSM and its Biological Survey.
Minimum Qualifications To be considered for appointment candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
• Master’s degree and five years of professional experience or a doctoral degree and three years of professional experience.
Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent non-competitive or 55b/c service as a Museum Scientist 5.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to candidates who possess:
• A Ph.D. in biology or a closely related biological science.
• A strong record of original biological research, peer-reviewed publication, and professional accomplishment in biological sciences.
• Significant experience leading and supervising scientists, technical specialists, or collections staff in field, laboratory, museum, or comparable settings.
• Experience developing and managing competitive grants, cooperative agreements, biological surveys, or other complex scientific initiatives.
• Experience in the stewardship, research use, and interpretation of biological specimens and natural history collections.
• A record of building effective partnerships and representing a scientific organization with government agencies, academic institutions, professional organizations, and other external partners.
• Ability to communicate biological research and scientific information effectively to broad public audiences, including children and families, through exhibitions, educational initiatives, public programs, or other interpretive work.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a permanent, non-competitive appointment. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits.
This position will require 10% in-state/Statewide travel.
This position leads to a maximum salary of $151,566 based on annual performance advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts
Interested in a job with New York State, but don’t know where to start?
Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf
Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Email Address OCEJobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, OHRM Room 528 EB
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by October 1, 2027, to OCEJobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1628/28070) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.