Plant Utilities Engineer 1 (NY HELPS)

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of the New York State Fair and become a vital force in shaping iconic events! As part of our dedicated team, you’ll support our mission to create an educational hub for agriculture and commerce, deliver quality entertainment and learning, and champion the promotion and marketing of New York's agri-business. Your contributions will directly support economic growth, job creation, and revenue generation. Find your purpose in public service and cultivate a career that offers both professional and personal development. Join us and help build a stronger New York, rooted in tradition and poised for the future.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets seeks a Plant Utilities Engineer 1 at the New York State Fair! The Plant Utilities Engineer 1 operates, maintains, and repairs steam and hot water boilers, water supply, and return systems, electronic and pneumatic combustion and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) control systems, refrigeration systems, and forced or induced draft fan systems. The Plant Utilities Engineer 1 performs maintenance and repair on various water and sewage pumps and identifies, recommends, and develops energy conservation projects and initiatives. The incumbent may handle various types of hazardous materials, respond to incidents with potential environmental impact and safety concerns, and supervise contractors and subordinate staff. Plant Utilities Engineer 1 is responsible for purchasing, inventory, and reclaiming all refrigerant gases as required by EPA Regulations and will be required to maintain, repair, and handle equipment that contains refrigerant and follow all EPA Regulations regarding refrigerant handling.

The Plant Utilities Engineer 1 is a permanent, full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday 6:45 AM – 3:15 PM.

The Plant Utilities Engineer 1 position is in the CSEA Salary Grade (SG) 14. The starting salary of the CSEA SG-14 is $56,506/year.

The candidate appointed to the Plant Utilities Engineer 1, SG-14 position, 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 CSEA 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-14 job rate salary of $ 68,630/ year!

This is a CSEA-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 Optional Payment Election Program, 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.

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 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.

NY HELPS Qualifications: Either 1. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;

Or 2. Must have been an enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard OR possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard;

Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;

Or 4. Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy;

Or 5. Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and have been a qualified member of the engine department (QMED) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine;

Or 6. Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC) (See Note #1);

Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;

Or 8. A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;

Or 9. Four years of full-time hands-on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 10. Four years of full-time hands-on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 11. An associate’s degree in HVAC AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above;

Or 12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (900 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college (See Note #2) AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

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 with all 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.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Plant Utilities Engineer 1, G-14: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Plant Utilities Engineer 1, G-14.

Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.

Continuous Recruitment Examination: Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment through the continuous recruitment examination process must fill out the exam application and questionnaire at the following link: New York State Online Application #20-451. The completed application and questionnaire must be mailed to the below address. Once applicants submit these items, their questionnaire will be scored, and the applicant will be placed on the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Plant Utilities Engineer 1 eligible list. To be appointed to this position, applicants must be reachable on the eligible list.

More information regarding the exam and how to apply can be found on the NYS Civil Service website here: Plant Utilities Engineer Exam Announcement.

Continuous Recruitment Examination Minimum Qualifications: To be eligible to apply for the continuous recruitment examination, you must meet one of the qualifications listed below on or before the date of filing your application and questionnaire:

Either 1. Graduate of heating, HVAC, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration apprenticeship program from the U.S. Air Force;

Or 2. Must have been an enlisted machinery technician (MK) with the U.S. Coast Guard OR possession of a certificate as a Marine Engineer issued by the U.S. Coast Guard;

Or 3. Must have been an enlisted power generation equipment repairer with the U.S. Army;

Or 4. Must have been an enlisted gas turbine systems technician, submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator reactor control, utilities man, machinist mate, or engineman with the U.S. Navy;

Or 5. Must have a Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) and have been a qualified member of the engine department (QMED) as an oiler, fireman/water tender, refrigerating engineer or engineman with the U.S. Merchant Marine;

Or 6. Completion of a New York State Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for stationary engineers, plant maintenance (plumber/steamfitter), HVAC Mechanic or plant maintenance (refrigeration/AC) (See Note #1);

Or 7. Possession of a High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License or Stationary Engineer License;

Or 8. A bachelor’s degree in Facilities Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Marine Engineering;

Or 9. Four years of full-time hands-on experience in the maintenance and operation of commercial, industrial, institutional facility, computer applications of digital energy platforms and building analytics and/or performing diagnosis, repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 10. Four years of full-time hands-on experience in a residential setting performing diagnosis, operation, maintenance repair of HVAC systems or boilers or auxiliary equipment;

Or 11. An associate’s degree in HVAC AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above;

Or 12. Completion of an HVAC certificate or diploma from a BOCES program (900 hours) OR completion of an approved certificate in HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, boiler operations and maintenance, or plumbing from an accredited technical school or technology college (See Note #2) AND two years of qualifying experience as described in EITHER qualification #9 or #10 above.

Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to this opportunity must use the below link to apply by: August 1, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Denny in Human Resources at (315) 728-4254 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.

The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.