Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture; NY HELPS

Division of Land and Water Resources

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

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.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture to perform analysis and research to aid in administering agricultural and farmland protection programs, and soil and water conservation-related programs. Specifically, this Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture position will provide support to conservation programs administered by the Division of Land and Water Resources and the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

This position oversees the development and management of program databases that track program accomplishments, supports environmental models, and contract status. Information maintained within these databases is used for reporting detailed program accomplishments (required by legislation), Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, models and deliverables, supporting annual budget needs and requests, and is regularly shared with partnering agencies to assist in documenting statewide water quality and climate change program achievements.

This position will also assist all conservation program managers in areas of Request for Proposal (RFP) development, contract support, outreach and public information activities, meeting and training logistics, and other duties as assigned. This position will be supervised by the Division’s Principal Environmental Analyst for Conservation Programs.

The Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. This position requires limited travel and may offer the opportunity for a part-time telecommuting schedule depending on location. It's perfect for a self-driven candidate who wants to help protect and enhance New York State's natural resources and working landscapes! The location of this position will be dependent on the selected candidate.

The starting salary for the Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture is $66,951/ year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 18.

The candidate appointed to the Senior Environmental Analyst Agriculture 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!

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!

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.

• Either 1: Six years of work experience in a position having a substantial relationship to agricultural land use analysis, soil and water conservation management, or the protection of farms and farmland resources;
• OR 2: Six years of work experience in any combination of the following roles:
  Soil and Water Conservation District Technician or Manager;
  National Resources Conservation Service District or Resources Conservation;
  New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) Consultant Service Provider;
  Professional Staff of Land Trust Organization;
  Cooperative Extension Agent (Agriculture); or Regional Planning Commission and County Planning Office.

Experience Substitution: An associate degree in a related field can substitute for two years of specialized…