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.
NY HELPS Qualifications: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences;
OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.
Advanced Placement:
For Trainee 2: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences AND one year of experience using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to conduct analytical testing in support of food safety, food security, agricultural interests, and consumer interests;
OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.
This will reduce the traineeship time by one year.
For Full Performance Level: Either 1: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences AND two years of experience using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to conduct analytical testing in support of food safety, food security, agricultural interests, and consumer interests;
OR 2: A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for one year of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for two years of experience.
Additional Minimum Qualifications:
Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 b/c service as a Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, NS, Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 2, NS and Food Laboratory Specialist 1, G-18; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Food Laboratory Specialist 1, G-18: 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: Administrative Specialist 1, G-18, and Human Resources Specialist 1, G-18.
Special Requirements for 70.1 Transfer: Applicants must have a bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.
70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a Grade 11 title or higher.
AND
A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.
AND
Received a passing score on the most recent Dairy Products Specialist Trainee 1 examination.
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: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.
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).

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 to perform duties in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) within the Quality Assurance (QA) unit of the Food Laboratory in Albany, New York. The Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 will seek clarification and guidance on regulatory testing techniques and processes by discussing issues with senior-level staff and contribute towards method development, process improvement, and/or investigations into new techniques, methods, and instrumentation. Additional duties will include: assisting in maintaining American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) accreditation to the international organization for standards (ISO) 17025 standards and Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Accreditation Guidelines for Laboratories (ALACC) criteria for the laboratory program; advise the QA manager and officers on developing and issuing current laboratory SOP’s; assist in monitoring Quality Assurance/Quality Control, including accuracy and precision of analytical data, using control charts, checking sample results, and proficiency testing programs (PT) results; assist in overseeing the corrective action request (CAR) process and internal audit program, including training personnel as needed; assist in internal audits to assess compliance with laboratory procedures; and prepare and review the LFFM data package when requested.

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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
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.
Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free Dental and Vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays!
Salary:
The starting salary for the Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 is $47,925/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 13. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship. After successful completion of the first year of the traineeship, the appointee will advance without further examination to the Trainee 2 level SG-14 (starting salary of $50,678). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Food Laboratory Specialist 1, SG-18 (starting salary of $63,108) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Trainee 2 or full performance level. For more information, see Advanced Placement below.
The full title Food Laboratory Specialist 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18. The starting salary of the PEF SG-25 is $63,108/year.
The candidate appointed at the Food Laboratory Specialist 1, SG-18 level, 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 PEF 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-18 job rate salary of $80,248/ year!