Human Resources Specialist 1 or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2

About the Role

The Human Resources Specialist 1 or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 (Benefits) position is within the Policy Unit of the Employee Benefits Division. This division administers the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP).

Key Responsibilities

• Answering inquiries received from the Department's Public Information Office (PIO).
• Training both internal EBD staff and agency Health Benefits Administrators (HBA).
• Reviewing Power of Attorney and Guardianship documents received by EBD from outside New York State and maintaining a list of requirements for verifying and approving these documents.
• Researching inquiries from EBD staff regarding Department policy.
• Updating approximately 150 Policy Memos to ensure accuracy and compliance with state and federal mandates, laws, and Department rules and regulations.
• Drafting, reviewing, and working with Counsel’s Office for approval of any new Policy Memos needed.
• Responding to inquiries submitted by State employee unions and members of the Legislature.
• Reviewing and providing feedback to EBD’s Communications Unit on all draft publications to ensure consistency with NYSHIP policy.

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). NY HELPS allows for non-competitive appointments without an examination, provided candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Future conversion to competitive status is expected.

• Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 Benefits:

• Four years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (e.g., health, dental, vision, and life insurance; workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating details of each benefit to enrollees.

• Substitute: An Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience.

• Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 Benefits:

• Five years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (e.g., health, dental, vision, and life insurance; workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating details of each benefit to enrollees.

• Substitute: An Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience.

• Human Resources Specialist 1 Benefits:

• Six years of experience planning, coordinating, and managing various employee benefits (e.g., health, dental, vision, and life insurance; workers' compensation, income protection, and disability benefits); establishing and applying eligibility requirements; and arranging and communicating details of each benefit to enrollees.

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

Reassignment Qualifications

• Current Department of Civil Service employees with one year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service as a Human Resources Specialist 1 or Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 (Benefits).
• If less than one year of service, you must be currently reachable on the PCO and/or PATT eligible lists for the Albany location, if one exists.

Competitive Qualifications

• You must be reachable on the current eligible list or eligible for transfer.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications

• One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.

52.6 Transfer Qualifications

• One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55 B/C service in a title eligible for transfer and determined to be similar by Civil Service.

Subsequent 55b/C Qualifications

• A subsequent 55 B/C appointment may be considered if you have one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 B/C service in an eligible position allocated to Grade 12.
• You must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility.

55 B/C Qualifications

• Individuals certified eligible for the 55 B/C program under the Governor's Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55 B/C of the Civil Service Law will also be considered.
• You must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility.
• You must meet the open competitive qualifications from the most recent examination announcement.

Open Competitive Qualifications

• You must be a Qualified Employee of New York State and have had permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a clerical/keyboarding/secretarial title or administrative paraprofessional title allocated to a G-8 or higher.

Traineeships

• To advance to the full performance level, you must successfully complete a set training and development program.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training at the Trainee 1 level, you will automatically advance to 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.
• Performance in the trainee position and training programs will be observed and evaluated.
• Failure to meet standard requirements may result in termination at any time after the initial eight weeks and before completion of the traineeship.

Note: Candidates must clearly indicate on their resume how they meet the minimum qualifications. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.