Economic Development Program Specialist Agriculture or Trainee; NY HELPS

Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture or Trainee

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking an Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture or Trainee to deliver and administer food and agricultural business development programs and product marketing and promotion programs. The Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture or Trainee will provide technical assistance, formulate economic development solutions, and manage agriculture-specific economic development program applications and materials.

They will also represent and promote the State’s agriculture industry at agricultural events and sites.

The Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Albany office located at 10B Airline Dr., Albany, NY 12235. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The starting salary for the Economic Development Program Specialist Trainee 1 Agriculture is $53,764 per 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 Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture, SG-18 (starting salary of $66,951) without 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 Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18. The starting salary of the PEF SG-18 is $66,951 per year.

The candidate appointed to the Economic Development Program Specialist 1 Agriculture, SG-18, 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 per year!

This is a PEF-represented position 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.

Four years of professional experience in agriculture, economic development, natural resource management, regional planning, manufacturing or food service fields that include business or program management, domestic or international marketing, conducting research, event planning or coordination, or developing or implementing strategies.

Degree substitutions:
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

Five years of professional experience in agriculture, economic development, natural resource management, regional planning, manufacturing or food service fields that include business or program management, domestic or international marketing, conducting research, event planning or…