Contract Management Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)

Division of Fiscal Management  

Posting Dates: September 11, 2026- September 21, 2026

 

 

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking four Contract Management Specialist 1s (or Trainees) to join the Division of Fiscal Management in Albany. Working primarily within the Purchasing Team, these individuals will play a key role in developing, evaluating, and reviewing contracts, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Applications (RFAs), and other related financial documents. They will perform routine administrative processes associated with contract lifecycle management; review contractor performance and ensure adherence to contract terms and conditions. These positions will conduct contract monitoring tasks, including managing necessary contract modifications and amendments; process contract claims and vouchers and approve/review contract payments to ensure compliance with contractual obligations; provide technical assistance and guidance to internal stakeholders and contractors regarding contract matters; may supervise and guide subordinate staff involved in contract administration.

 

The Contract Management Specialist 1s (or Trainees) are permanent or contingent-permanent, office-based positions conveniently located in our headquarters at 10B Airline Drive in Albany, NY. We are located near the Albany International Airport and Wolf Road and provide ample free parking. These are full-time positions working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

 

The starting salary for the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1 is $53,764/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. 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-16 (starting salary of $59,994). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Contract Management Specialist, SG-18 (starting salary of $66,951) 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 Contract Management Specialist 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18. The starting salary of the PEF SG-18 is $66,951/year. 



Candidates appointed at the Contract Management 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 $85,138/ year!

 

These are PEF-represented positions offering a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. You'll benefit from cost-effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off. Your first year includes 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays – providing excellent work-life balance. Explore additional advantages with programs such as the Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program. For comprehensive details on these programs, please visit the New York State Office of Employee Relations website.

 

As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)! The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct student loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or another eligible employer. 

 

NY HELPS Qualifications: Six years of experience managing contracts and related budgets including one or more of the following areas: negotiation with contractors and vendors; fiscal management, including bidding, payment, analysis, and fiscal reporting; contract development, including developing requests for proposals; contract execution, including securing signatory approval from control agencies; monitoring and review of contract terms.

 

Substitutions: Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; master's degree may substitute five years of specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience.

 

Advanced Placement: If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional one year of experience in managing contracts and related budgets including one or more of the above listed areas, OR a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field, you may be appointed to the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2. This will reduce the traineeship time by one year. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional two years of experience in the areas listed above, you may be appointed to the full performance title, Contract Management Specialist 1, Grade 18. You must inform the hiring agency of this additional experience at the time of interview. Hiring agencies have discretion in determining whether a degree is related to the duties of the position.

 

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 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.

 

You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following 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 Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, NS, Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2, NS and Contract Management 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.

 

52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1, 2, and Specialist 1, G-18: This position is designated   administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and may be filled by administrative transfer under that section. Source titles from which transfer may be made must be designated administrative and be within two salary grades or one M-grade of the target title.

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1: 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 Assistant 1, G-11, Program Aide, G-13, and Office Assistant 3, G-14.

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2: 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 Trainee 2, Economic Development Program Specialist Trainee 2 Agriculture, and Budgeting Analyst Trainee 2.

 

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management 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, Auditor 1, Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture, Senior Accountant, and Senior Budgeting Analyst, G-18.

 

70.4 Transfer Qualifications to Contract Management 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.

   a bachelor’s or higher degree.

Received a passing score on the most recent Professional Career Opportunities examination (PCO) or Public Administration Transition Test (PATT). 

 

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 degree or higher to be eligible for the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 1. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional one year of experience in contract management experience, OR a Juris Doctor, master's or higher degree in a related field, you may be appointed to the Contract Management Specialist Trainee 2. This will reduce the traineeship time by one year. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional two years of experience in the areas listed above, you may be appointed to the full performance title, Contract Management Specialist 1, Grade 18. You must inform the hiring agency of this additional experience at the time of interview. Hiring agencies have discretion in determining whether a degree is related to the duties of the position.

 

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).  

 

 

Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use this link to apply: Position Vacancy Online Application by: September 21, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Leo in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or [email protected].

 

The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities.  If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.