This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).* To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Promotional:
Administrative Assistant Trainee 1:
One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Office Assistant 2 (Keyboarding).
Administrative Assistant Trainee 2:
One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Office Assistant 2 (Keyboarding) AND documentation of agency-approved completion of the four core administrative support courses or their equivalency: Microsoft Word Basics, Customer Service, the Organized Office Worker, and Successful Business Writing.
Administrative Assistant 1:
One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Office Assistant 2 (Keyboarding) AND documentation of agency-approved completion of the four core administrative support courses or their equivalency: Microsoft Word Basics, Customer Service, the Organized Office Worker, and Successful Business Writing AND successful completion of four elective administrative support courses.
To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training at the Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to the Trainee 2. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2 you will advance to the full level of this title without further examination. Failure to complete the required Traineeship-Coursework Requirements prior to completion of the traineeship will result in a termination from the position.
Open Competitive:
Administrative Assistant Trainee 1:
Six months of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. The selected candidate must pass a keyboarding test that demonstrates the ability to enter text at a rate of at least 30 words per minute with at least 96% accuracy by completion of probation.
Administrative Assistant Trainee 2:
One year of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. The selected candidate must pass a keyboarding test that demonstrates the ability to enter text at a rate of at least 30 words per minute with at least 96% accuracy by completion of probation.
Administrative Assistant 1:
Two years of experience in administrative support, which includes use of office software (e.g., email, word processing), provision of customer service, business writing, and/or office administration. The selected candidate must pass a keyboarding test that demonstrates the ability to enter text at a rate of at least 30 words per minute with at least 96% accuracy by completion of probation.
Substitution: Certification (e.g., IAAP Certified Administrative Professional) or associate’s degree in office administration, secretarial science, administrative assistance, paralegal, business technology, or office technology substitutes for two years of experience.
To be advanced to the full performance level of this title you must successfully complete a set training and development program. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training at the Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to the Trainee 2. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Trainee 2 you will advance to the full level of this title without further examination. Failure to complete the required Traineeship-Coursework Requirements prior to completion of the traineeship will result in a termination from the position.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

The incumbent will be required to perform tasks which fall into four broad categories: communication, coordination, organization, and records maintenance. Within these categories, Administrative Assistants perform a variety of tasks which enable managers and program staff to accomplish the mission of the agency. Duties will be discussed further during the interview.
Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

• 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.