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New York State Office of Children and Family Services in Buffalo, NY seeks an Administrative Assistant 1 / Trainee 1-2 to manage clerical tasks, draft correspondence, and coordinate meetings. The role requires handling calls, maintaining filing systems, and assisting with office operations.
Open to trainees with a detailed progression path through a structured training program; requires ability to work in a busy state agency environment and adhere to office procedures.
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Agency Children & Family Services, Office of
Title Administrative Assistant 1 / Trainee 1-2
Occupational Category Clerical, Secretarial, Office Aide
Salary Grade 11
Bargaining Unit ASU - Administrative Services Unit (CSEA)
Salary Range From $42209 to $61076 Annually
Employment Type Full-Time
Appointment Type Permanent
Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class
Travel Percentage 0%
Workweek Mon-Fri
From 6 AM
To 6 PM
Flextime allowed? No
Mandatory overtime? No
Compressed workweek allowed? No
Telecommuting allowed? No
County Erie
Street Address Buffalo Regional Office and Community Multi-Services Office - Child Care Services
City Buffalo
State NY
Duties Description Review incoming correspondence and draft responses where appropriate. Review outgoing correspondence for grammar, spelling, etc. Research background information. Transmit instructions to staff and conduct follow-up. Handle telephone calls and respond to questions. Coordinate and arrange meetings. Establish office procedures. Set up and maintain office filing systems (including electronic). Resolve day-to-day operational problems. Coordinate information flow by acting as liaison among key executives, staff, other employees, and the public. May supervise clerical staff.
Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.
Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer;
A two-year traineeship (Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 & 2 NS= Grade 8 and 10 and leading to Administrative Assistant 1, Grade 11) is available.
Trainees will be required to take four mandatory courses the first year of the traineeship and four elective courses in the second year of the traineeship in four competency areas through the CSEA Partnership, or equivalent offerings through another entity as determined by the agency.
All trainees are required to successfully complete all courses before advancing to the Administrative Assistant 1, G-11.
Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).* The minimum qualifications through the NY HELPS are:
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.
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.
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.
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.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Additional Comments Core operating hours for office-based positions within the agency are 8-5. Exact shift within that timeframe will be discussed at the time of the interview.
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 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.
Background Investigation Requirements:
1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned, and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Telephone 518-473-7936
Fax 518-473-6122
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Street Bureau of Personnel - MIH
52 Washington Street, 231 North
City Rensselaer
State NY
StateJobsNY 2026 NYS Department of Civil Service