Let OTDA make a difference for your career while you make a difference for your community! In the Employment and Income Support Programs (EISP) vision of OTDA, you can be part of a team that helps ensure that New York’s most vulnerable citizens are connecting with the benefits that will give them a hand-up toward economic stability, affordable housing, and food security. EISP is looking for dedicated individuals with background experience in human services who can apply their policy knowledge and technical skills to the programs our division is entrusted with overseeing.
Some applicants will be eligible to enter the position at the full-title level, but traineeship opportunities are also available for anyone with less direct experience. The division is dedicated to teaching and supporting all employees who possess drive, capability, and a passion to help others. Please continue reading for more details on the official qualifications required.
NY HELPS: These titles are part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, these titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required, but all candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications for these titles. At this time, OTDA 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 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 QUALIFICATIONS:
For Trainee 1 level, you must have a bachelor’s or higher degree.
For Trainee 2 Level, you must have a bachelor's or higher degree; AND one year of professional experience performing one or more of the following:

• Administering temporary assistance programs and initiatives to assess applicant/recipient needs, determine eligibility and/or provide services or benefits to low-income individuals or families. Such initiatives may include, but are not limited to, the development of systems applications for determining eligibility and benefit levels for temporary assistance programs;
• Planning, implementing, assessing, monitoring and/or evaluating programs to deliver effective temporary assistance and/or workforce development/training programs to unemployed, underemployed, low income or disabled individuals;
• Managing contracts and related budgets for workforce development/training and/or temporary assistance programs, including contract development, negotiation and execution, and fiscal management, monitoring or program review; and
• Planning, developing, managing, or administering programs that provide care and service to adults, children, and/or families in need of assistance, including childcare, foster care, medical assistance and adult residential care, aid to the refugee and/or immigrant population, or child and adult protective care.

Substitution: A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
For the Full Performance Level, you must have a bachelor's or higher degree; AND two years of professional experience performing one or more of the following:

• Administering temporary assistance programs and initiatives to assess applicant/recipient needs, determine eligibility and/or provide services or benefits to low-income individuals or families. Such initiatives may include, but are not limited to, the development of systems applications for determining eligibility and benefit levels for temporary assistance programs;
• Planning, implementing, assessing, monitoring and/or evaluating programs to deliver effective temporary assistance and/or workforce development/training programs to unemployed, underemployed, low income or disabled individuals;
• Managing contracts and related budgets for workforce development/training and/or temporary assistance programs, including contract development, negotiation and execution, and fiscal management, monitoring or program review; and
• Planning, developing, managing, or administering programs that provide care and service to adults, children, and/or families in need of assistance, including childcare, foster care, medical assistance and adult residential care, aid to the refugee and/or immigrant population, or child and adult protective care.

Substitution: A Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field can substitute for one year of specialized experience.
Note: experience limited to clerical screening of applications, data entry, distribution of forms/brochures to prospective social services applicants, administrative duties in support of temporary assistance programs and any function in which the major responsibility of the position does NOT entail the direct planning, oversight, or provision of assistance is not considered qualifying. In addition, experience in staff development activities internal to an organization or auditing of employment and training programs, is NOT qualifying experience for this examination.
Temporary Assistance Programs are: Family Assistance (FA), Jobs Program, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSI State Supplement Program, Emergency Assistance to Families or Adults (EAF,EAA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), Employment Services for Recipients of Public Assistance or SNAP, and Energy Assistance.
OR
55b/c: These positions are eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidates must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and meet the Non-Competitive Qualifications. Information about the 55b/c program can be found here: 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).
COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATIONS
Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. Information regarding transfer eligibility is available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.
OR
Reachable on the appropriate eligible list in Albany.

These Temporary Assistance Specialist 1 (G-18), Temporary Assistance Specialist Trainee 1 (G-13), and Temporary Assistance Specialist Trainee 2 (G14) positions reside in the Division of Employment and Income Support Programs (EISP) within the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
EISP is comprised of eleven program bureaus, two located in New York City, that are involved in overseeing several major public assistance programs as they are administered in New York State. This involves providing support to local district offices, conducting field visits and management evaluation reviews, as well as policy development and interpretation, and direct client support. In-scope programs include: Temporary Assistance (TA) benefits funded under both Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and State Safety Net Assistance (SNA) funds; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); the Supplemental Security Income – State Supplementation Program (SSP); and various job training and work-support programs across the state. EISP bureaus also conduct behind-the-scenes work such as managing contracts that direct program funds; maintaining the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system; providing technical support for the legacy systems the programs are administered through; and development of new and improved systems for program implementation.
All positions are located in Albany, NY and will receive direct supervisory support from a Temporary Assistance Specialist 2 (G-23). There are currently twenty-four (24) vacancies in these titles available across the following EISP bureaus:

• The Temporary Assistance (TA) Bureau (¹), (²)
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Bureau (¹)
• The Integrated Eligibility Systems (IES) Bureau (¹)
• The Contract Management and Quality Assurance (CMQA) Bureau
• The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Bureau (¹)
• The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Policy and SSI State Supplementation Program (SSP) Bureau
• The Employment and Advancement Services (EAS) Bureau (¹)
• The Upstate Systems Bureau (USB)

¹ - These positions may require up to 30% travel. Specifics will be discussed at the job interview.
² - These positions will require review of sensitive Federal Tax Information (FTI) and thus will require an additional level of background screening.
Specific tasks will involve:

• Develop regulations, policy and operational support guidelines for temporary assistance programs and assist in the implementation of welfare legislation;
• Conduct site visits to local service providers and follow up to determine compliance with program requirements. Review program activity, reports, service plans and interview personnel involved with specific programs to identify and correct performance issues;
• Review federal regulations and legislation to identify changes in program guidelines, eligibility factors, and procedures;
• Assist agencies with application of State and federal guidelines, contract requirements, and implementation of changes;
• Monitor projects, prepare reports on progress, recommend controls to ensure compliance, and provide input on sanctions against agencies for noncompliance with State and federal requirements;
• Draft releases and policy statements outlining or explaining new or changed regulations. Provide technical assistance and guidance on laws, rules, regulations, and procedures related to temporary assistance programs;
• Analyze, interpret, and clarify laws, rules, and regulations for program administrators;
• Respond to inquiries from OTDA program areas, other State agencies, individuals and families, and non-profits on policies, standards, eligibility and benefit requirements, services, and client rights;
• Assist OTDA contract management staff in the development, implementation, and monitoring of contracts related to temporary assistance programs;
• Review proposed contract work plans and budgets to ensure consistency with program objectives, and compliance with State and federal budgetary guidelines;
• Review contractor vouchers and reports for accuracy and completeness, and track performance and expenditures against contract goals and budget or payment standards;
• Work with Information Technology systems staff in the development and implementation of temporary assistance systems. Identify required data elements and reporting requirements, test functionality, and identify problems;
• Identify and provide training and technical assistance to local social services departments, non-profits, and OTDA staff, and assist in the preparation of training materials; and
• May supervise lower-level paraprofessional and/or clerical staff.