Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyLabor, Department of

TitleWorkforce Programs Specialist 1/Trainee 1/2 – Albany (NY HELPS)

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary Grade18

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $85138 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 20%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address 1220 Washington Avenue

Harriman Campus, Building 12

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12226

Job Specifics

Duties Description The Workforce Programs Specialist 1 duties in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) unit include but are not limited to: assisting in the development, monitoring, and management of workforce development and training programs, contracts and proposals, including the review of contractual data, contract modifications expenditure tracking, voucher processing, collaboration with field monitoring staff and Business Services staff and routine ad hoc reporting. A Workforce Programs Specialist 1 will also prepare detailed analysis as needed and provide technical assistance and guidance to contractors, program operators, workforce development partners, and other agencies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. They may also review enacted and analyze pending federal and State legislation, federal regulations, as well as technical advisories and bulletins.

Minimum Qualifications 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, if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.

NYHELPS Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 1-
Four years* of experience assisting unemployed or under-employed individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment by developing and implementing plans for proposals to deliver workforce development and training programs; evaluating, monitoring, or administering workforce development and training programs; managing contracts and budgets for workforce development and training programs; or determining eligibility for public assistance, or assessing applicants for, or receipts of, welfare employment program benefits to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency.

Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 2-
Five years* of experience assisting unemployed or under-employed individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment by developing and implementing plans for proposals to deliver workforce development and training programs; evaluating, monitoring, or administering workforce development and training programs; managing contracts and budgets for workforce development and training programs; or determining eligibility for public assistance, or assessing applicants for, or receipts of, welfare employment program benefits to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency.

Workforce Programs Specialist 1-
Six years* of experience assisting unemployed or under-employed individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment by developing and implementing plans for proposals to deliver workforce development and training programs; evaluating, monitoring, or administering workforce development and training programs; managing contracts and budgets for workforce development and training programs; or determining eligibility for public assistance, or assessing applicants for, or receipts of, welfare employment program benefits to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency.

*An associate degree** may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree** may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree** may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate** may substitute for six years of experience.

** Your degree must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You will be required to provide this information to the hiring agency at the time of interview.

OR:

Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 1: You must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Labor and have had one year of permanent competitive, non-competitive, labor class, or 55b/c service in a clerical/keyboarding/secretarial or administrative paraprofessional title allocated to a Grade 8 or higher.

It is expected that employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status in the future, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded all of 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. If you are interested in the NY HELPS program, or this position, you may reply to this vacancy posting, or you may visit the New York State Department of Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/help/ (copy and paste in browser) to register today, in three easy steps.


Competitive Minimum Qualifications: As this position requires travel, the appointee must have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and have a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the position.

55 B/C Qualifications:
This position is designated 55-b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Please provide a copy of your 55-b/c letter when applying. You must meet the open competitive qualifications from the most recent examination announcement.

Reassignment Qualifications:
Current Department of Labor employees with at least one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service as a Workforce Programs Specialist 1, Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 1, or Workforce Program Specialist Trainee 2; 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:
Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 1-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 12 or higher determined to be administrative by Civil Service.

Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 2-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 14 or higher determined to be administrative by Civil Service.

Workforce Programs Specialist 1-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 16 or higher determined to be administrative by Civil Service.


70.1 Transfer Qualifications:
Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 1-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 13 or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.

Workforce Programs Specialist Trainee 2-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 14 or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.

Workforce Programs Specialist 1-
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55-b/c service in a title Grade 16* or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.

70.4 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent service as a Grade 12, or higher and a passing score on Workforce Program Specialist Trainee 1 exam.

Note: Candidates must not have failed the most recent examination for this title. Appointments are made at the Trainee 1 level.

Note: For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/

Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to initiate and maintain relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders.

Additional Comments Position specific job duties may include occasional altered work schedule or job assignments which require availability and willingness to work occasional evenings and/or out-stationed assignments.

Candidates with no previous state service will begin at the starting rate of the salary range listed above.

If you are a current NYS employee and have questions regarding salary, please contact the Business Services Center (BSC): 518-457-4272, BSCHR@ogs.ny.gov.

Telecommuting is available and can be discussed during the interview.

Employment at the Department of Labor is contingent upon the maintenance of a valid work authorization and necessary documentation to work legally in the United States.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• 13 paid holidays, 5 personal days, and a minimum of 13 vacation days per year
• Paid sick leave (CSEA and PEF employees- 13 days; M/C employees- 8 days plus free enrollment into the Income Protection Program for short-term and long-term disability coverage)
• Choice of several affordable and competitive health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans at no additional cost
• Membership in the NYS Employee’s Retirement System
• NYS Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
• Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (full-time employees)
• Eligibility to apply for tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees and courses
• Paid Parental Leave

Our mission is to provide outstanding services to our customers— the workers and businesses that call New York home. We help New Yorkers find careers they will love. We build and support New York’s businesses. We empower and protect New York’s workers. To learn more about our mission and the exciting work of the DOL, please visit: https://dol.ny.gov/about-us

DOL is committed to fostering employee engagement and work-life balance. We offer telecommuting and alternative work schedules to eligible employees. Eligible employees may be approved to telecommute, if operationally feasible, up to 2 days per regular workweek, and not to exceed 4 days per two-week pay period.
Telecommuting can be discussed at the time of interview. Our exciting training and development opportunities, including Coursera and our formal Employee Recognition Program, allow us to develop, recognize, and celebrate our workforce.

Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, length of State service, and program area.

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

How to Apply

Name Maria Kane

Telephone 518-457-1020

Fax eFax: 5184742871@fax.ny.gov

Email Address YourDOLJourneyisHere@labor.ny.gov

Address

Street State Office Campus, Building 12

1220 Washington Ave

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12226

 

Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should copy the below web address into your browser to complete the online application for the Department of Labor.

https://on.ny.gov/apply2dol

Vacancy: 209275
Title: Workforce Programs Specialist 1/Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS)
Location: Albany

Please submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications, including specific experience with dates. It is essential to clearly describe qualifying education and experience when applying; vague or incomplete information may lead to disqualification.

Unofficial transcripts and/or other documents will be required for certain positions as indicated in the minimum qualifications.

All documents must be received by February 24, 2026. Upload all documents as unlocked and accessible files.

If experiencing difficulties with the above link, please contact: YourDOLJourneyisHere@labor.ny.gov

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.

New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS 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, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please contact: Department of Labor, Attn: Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (ODEIA), Building 12, Albany, NY 12226 (Phone (518) 457-1984 and/or fax (518) 485-2575.)