Forensic Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of the Professions is seeking candidates for an Investigative Specialist 1 position in the Office of Professional Discipline-Investigations (OPD). Under the supervision of an Investigative Specialist 2 (Professional Conduct), the Investigative Specialist 1 will investigate allegations of professional misconduct by professionals licensed by NYSED pursuant to applicable statutes, rules and/or regulations. Additional duties of these positions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Investigate unlawful practice of a profession by an unlicensed person, the moral character of an individual seeking licensure, or the background of former licensed professionals who are seeking reinstatement of their professional licenses;
• Prepare detailed investigative reports of the activities undertaken pursuant to his or her assignments and maintain the chain of custody with respect to evidentiary items;
• Conduct pharmacy inspections; and
• Assist other program areas within OPD.
Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent non-competitive service as an Investigative Specialist 1.
Non-Competitive Appointment:
This title includes a traineeship opportunity, and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level based on their experience and education as follows:
Investigative Specialist 1 appointment level requirements:
• Investigative Specialist Trainee 1, NS (equated to SG-14): four years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and two years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor's degree or higher
• Investigative Specialist Trainee 2 (equated to SG-16): five years of investigative experience* OR an associate degree and three years of investigative experience* OR a bachelor's degree or higher and one year of investigative experience*.
• Investigative Specialist 1, SG-18: six years of qualifying experience** OR an associate's degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND four years of qualifying experience;**OR a bachelor's or higher degree in criminal justice, cyber security, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security AND two years of qualifying experience.**
*Investigative Experience is defined as gathering and securing information and evidence from a variety of sources through independent, non-structured activities including the preparation and submission of detailed narrative reports describing the method of gathering the evidence and the results of the investigations. Experience in auditing, interviewing, building security surveillance, traffic enforcement, or performing routine inspections or surveys will NOT be considered investigative experience.
**Qualifying Experience: Experience in a field investigative position conducting interviews of witnesses and others, taking written statements and affidavits, collecting and analyzing physical and documentary evidence, and preparing detailed written reports of investigative findings.
Types of Investigative experience that could be considered qualifying: Experience in such positions as police detective, insurance investigator, licensed and registered private investigator, federal investigator, state investigator, municipal investigator, child protective services investigator, in an investigative position involving trial preparations and detailed reports, and investigations within a branch of the Armed Services are examples which meet the Minimum Qualifications.
Examples of Non-Qualifying Investigative Experience includes but may not be limited to: Experience in routine police patrol work, security guard or related security position, tax collector, collector of delinquent accounts, credit checker, legal assistant/attorney, hotel or store detective, loss prevention officer, parole officer, correction officer, guard, inspector, or experience in adoption and/or foster care placement.
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This will be a contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. Promotions and transfers may change appointees' negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree and/or work experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position will require 10% in-state/Statewide travel.
This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate's salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.
Current starting salaries:
• $53,764 (Investigative Specialist Trainee 1- NS equated to SG-14)
• $59,994 (Investigative Specialist Trainee 2- NS equated to SG-16)
• $66,951 (Full Performance level SG-18)
This position leads to a maximum salary of $85,138 based on annual performance advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
Based on the position location, in addition to the listed base salary, the position also receives a $4,000 Downstate Adjustment.
APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by March 20, 2026 to opjobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OP-1977/21416) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.
Interested in a job with New York State, but don't know where to start?
Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf
Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Telephone (518) 474-5215
Fax (518) 486-5631
Email Address OPJobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, OHRM, Room 528 EB
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12234
Notes on Applying APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by July 17, 2026 to opjobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OP-1977/21416) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.