Laboratory Specialist 2 (Biology) & (Chemistry)
- Multiple-choice Test To Be Held
- June 13, 2026
You may be assigned to either Saturday or Sunday to take your test.
You cannot request or change your scheduled day. - Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
- April 29, 2026
| Exam Number | Exam Title | Open to Employees of | Salary | Salary Grade | Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-448020 | Laboratory Specialist 2 (Biology) | Health, Department of | $86,681 | G-23 | $0 |
| 31-449020 | Laboratory Specialist 2 (Chemistry) | Health, Department of | $86,681 | G-23 | $0 |
Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to a test site to take this examination. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.
Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Health.
Minimum Qualifications
On or before June 13, 2026, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Health and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55-b/55-c service as a Laboratory Specialist 1, Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, or Laboratory Specialist Trainee 2. If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally** in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for this examination.
Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.
If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before March 13, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.
*If you were permanently appointed via the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class on or before March 13, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.
**If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title and had provisional service in the same title immediately preceding the permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required to apply for this examination. Your provisional appointment must have been on or before March 13, 2026, to qualify for this examination.
Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service at the Full Performance Level, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class will have their names restricted from appointment from the eligible list until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by action of the New York State Civil Service Commission or otherwise obtain permanent competitive status in the position.
If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for appointment from the eligible list.
Additional Requirements for Appointment:
- Depending on assignment, appointees may, at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter, be required to meet all applicable state and federal requirements for qualification.
The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Health and are located in Albany.
Duties
As a Laboratory Specialist 2 (Biology), you would, under general direction and in the area of expertise in which assigned, plan and oversee the work of the laboratory and/or plan and conduct experiments to advance research. You would supervise Laboratory Specialists 1 and other subordinate laboratory staff in specific laboratory program areas and may direct one or more of the following laboratory activities: the analysis of environmental and clinical specimens for the purpose of isolation and identification of infectious agents; the development of diagnostic tests and assays; the analysis of proficiency samples for establishing and/or maintaining certification of the laboratory by various regulatory entities; the analysis of samples prepared for use in proficiency testing programs; the production of diagnostic reagents and biologic products; the performance of image production and analysis; the performance of genetic analyses for diagnostic and epidemiologic efforts; the development and/or implementation of new technologies and techniques that will address newly identified needs and/or requirements to keep the laboratory's capabilities current; may prepare reports, publications, or standard operating procedures (SOP) etc.; and consult with outside agencies.
As a Laboratory Specialist 2 (Chemistry), you would, under general direction and in the area of expertise in which assigned, plan and oversee the work of the laboratory and/or plan and conduct experiments to advance research. You would supervise Laboratory Specialists 1 and other subordinate laboratory staff in specific laboratory program areas and may direct one or more of the following laboratory activities: the analysis of environmental samples and/or clinical specimens for the purpose of identifying and quantifying levels of chemical constituents; the analysis of samples prepared for use in proficiency testing programs to validate the chemicals present, both qualitatively and quantitatively; the analysis of proficiency samples for establishing and/or maintaining certification of the laboratory by various regulatory entities; the preparation for sampling materials and reagents used in the collection and analysis of both environmental samples and clinical specimens; the development and/or implementation of new technologies and techniques that will address newly identified needs and/or requirements to keep the laboratory's capabilities current; and may consult with outside agencies.
Subject of Examination
To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the multiple-choice test. The multiple-choice test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:
- Preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
- Supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.
- Analyzing and interpreting written technical material - These questions will require you to read passages that deal with technical laboratory issues and procedures, not necessarily specific to your field, and then will ask you to base your answers on a comprehension of the passages presented. In some cases, you may be further required to incorporate basic background knowledge in order to answer correctly.
- Analysis and interpretation of laboratory results - These questions test for the knowledge needed to interpret laboratory results including the identification of common problems which may affect results; quality assurance and quality control requirements; and basic statistics as they relate to interpretation and validation of quality control procedures.
Test Guide: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Test is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. If Sample Test Material is available for a subject area described above, it can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm.
If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any Veterans' credits.
Credit For Seniority: Seniority is credited at the rate of one credit for each five-year period (or fraction thereof), excluding the first year of service.
Admission To The Test: If approved for a multiple-choice test, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil or online at a state test site. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration.
Applicants are required to have a Personal NY.gov account and keep their email address up to date. The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies will communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include notification of your application status, your test arrangements, examination results, and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your email address, phone number, and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.
How To Apply
You Can Also
- Download examination application NYS-APP form; or
- Email cs.sm.examinfo@cs.ny.gov to request NYS-APP forms; or
- Obtain an NYS-APP form from a State agency or facility personnel/business office; or
- Request NYS-APP form by calling the Department of Civil Service in the Albany area at 518-457-2487 or toll free at 1-877-697-5627.
The NYS Department of Civil Service reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. All statements you make on your application are subject to investigation.
Additional Information
New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
Religious Accommodation
Most multiple-choice tests are held on Saturdays. If you cannot take the test on the announced test date, due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the box under “Religious Accommodation.” We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date (usually the following day).
Reasonable Accommodations in Testing
It is the policy of the Department of Civil Service, in accordance with the New York State Human Rights Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to provide qualified persons with disabilities equal employment opportunity and equal opportunity to participate in and receive the benefits, services, programs, and activities of the Department. It is the policy of the Department to provide such persons reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications as are necessary to provide equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their application. Further information is available from the Test Accommodation Unit of the Department of Civil Service at Testaccommodation@cs.ny.gov.
Admission to Examination
Notice to appear for the test may be conditional as review of applications may not be made until after the test. If you have not received your notice to appear for the multiple-choice test three days before the date of the test, email us at AdmissionNotices@cs.ny.gov. Please provide your first and last name, address, and the last four digits of your social security number, and we will provide you with the information you need to attend your multiple-choice test. If you have an issue other than not receiving your admission notice, please contact our office at (518) 474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627. Please leave a clear concise message and provide your first and last name, last four digits of your social security number and a daytime phone number.
Taking State and Local Examinations Scheduled for the Same Day
If you have applied to take a multiple-choice test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this multiple-choice test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions no later than two weeks before the test date to make arrangements for taking all tests at one test site. All tests will be held at the state examination center. For your convenience, contact information for all local civil service agencies is available on our website at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm.
Eligibility for Examination
To be considered a qualified employee eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in, or on leave from, the specified department or agency on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class, or in the non-competitive class or labor class if specifically noted on this announcement (or be on an appropriate preferred list), and have the specified time in the specified title or salary grade. You may not compete in a test for a title if you are permanently employed in that title (unless you are still on probation) or in a higher direct line of promotion.
Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site
The use of cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices at your personal testing site or in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas, except as expressly authorized by the Department of Civil Service, could result in your disqualification.
S1/TC3 LXD-gcm
Issued: 3/27/26
This announcement is subject to amendment or cancellation without notice. Do not copy it, or post it to any other site, but link to it instead.