Review Vacancy
AgencyEducation Department, State
TitleInformation Technology Specialist 3 (Programming), Box PIMS-1102/19624
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $86681 to $109650 Annually
Street Address Office of Performance Improvement and Management Services
Information Technology Services Office
Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s Information Technology Services Office is seeking applicants for the position of Information Technology Specialist 3 (Programming) for the SAMS Modernization project. The
SAMS Modernization project is a +$41M multi-year effort that is moving all functionality needed to identify and disburse $30B in aid to 700 Districts and BOCES in New York State, to a cloud-based low code platform and decision management system. The success of this project relies on a highly experienced candidate who will specialize in crafting and executing the test strategy and plan for the SAMS Modernization effort. The incumbent will research, create, and implement the overall testing plans for the modernization effort. This position will report to the Project Assistant (Technical Manager).
The incumbent will be responsible for developing system and component level test plans, participating in testing activities, and providing guidance to assigned staff. This person should express curiosity towards current and emerging technologies and be comfortable wearing multiple hats in order to ensure the success of the project. Familiarity with agile methodologies and scrum framework is preferred, as we are a Scrum shop. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop system and component level test plans and test conditions, and participates in application testing activities in accordance with established QA methodologies and agency standards;
• Participates in and coordinates testing activities by developing test plans, test conditions, and validation tests to ensure system functionality;
• Develop system test plans and data with user input;
• Maintain and analyzes systems performance after implementation by testing and documenting system changes resulting from operation errors or system failures, changes in legislation, user requirements, or changes in the IT environment;
• Maintain thorough understanding of the environment to ensure adherence to Quality Assurance standards and utilizes accepted practices for enterprise testing;
• Implement new and revised systems and ensures documentation and system Quality Assurance measures are appropriate and comply with agency, Office for Technology, and New York State information security policies;
• May supervise or perform business/systems analysis and design activities in conjunction with Business Analysts and UX designers and meet with users to gather requirements;
• Ensure software applications meet technical and functional requirements;
• Develop automated and manual tests needed to ensure the operation and precision of new product features and overall system behavior (e.g., regression testing);
• Execute multiple phases of functional and non-functional testing to guarantee the quality of software releases from design to implementation;
• Execute end-to-end testing validating data from source UI to target UI, and testing the database hops in between;
• Test functionality and performance of software application prior to releases.
• Create detailed, comprehensive, and well-structured test plans and test cases, including identifying test automation candidates vs manually tested tickets;
• Participate in sprint planning sessions, provide testing estimates and manage testing schedule and activities;
• Review user stories and confirm acceptance criteria support required test steps;
• Test APIs using Hoppscotch or Postman or similar tool to validate functionality;
• Write positive and negative test cases covering all opportunities to break software per acceptance criteria, in order to unearth potential defects or regression;
• Proactively track both functional and regression testing status for each release;
• As needed, review other test engineers' code and test plans for accuracy, completeness, style.
Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
NY HELPS
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 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.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
- Five years of professional experience in computer programming which must have involved the planning, configuration, testing, implementation, and/or management of the systems environment that supports the organization's information technology architecture and business needs.
*Substitution - A bachelor's degree in any field including or supplemented by 15 semester credit hours in computer science with at least 9 semester credit hours in programming languages and two years of experience in computer programming; or a bachelor's or higher level degree in any field and three years of experience in computer programming; or an associate degree with 15 semester credit hours in programming languages and four years of experience in computer programming.
PROMOTION:
Current NYSED State employees must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programming).
COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as an Information Technology Specialist 3 (Programming).
Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for this title. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.
Section 52.6 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title allocated SG-21 or higher eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law.
For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website. https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/index.cfm
55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and one of the following minimum qualifications:
- Five years of professional experience in computer programming which must have involved the planning, configuration, testing, implementation, and/or management of the systems environment that supports the organization's information technology architecture and business needs.
*Substitution - A bachelor's degree in any field including or supplemented by 15 semester credit hours in computer science with at least 9 semester credit hours in programming languages and two years of experience in computer programming; or a bachelor's or higher level degree in any field and three years of experience in computer programming; or an associate degree with 15 semester credit hours in programming languages and four years of experience in computer programming.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Four years of experience as a QA engineer using Mabl, Selenium, Katalon, RPA or similar test automation tools, with hands on experience scripting languages for software automated test cases and implementing and maintaining automated regression test scripts;
• Four years of experience in software engineering or related area, building and executing test strategies for complex implementations;
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and Scrum framework;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with various teams.
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This will be a permanent competitive appointment or a permanent non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. 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. Verification of Coursework and experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 50% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position requires occasional off-shift night and weekend work.
This position leads to a maximum salary of $109,650 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.
APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by April 28, 2026 to OMSJobs@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 (PIMS-1102/19624) 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.
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.
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.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Email Address omsjobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, OHRM, Room 528 EB
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by April 28, 2026 to OMSJobs@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 (PIMS-1102/19624) 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.