The New York State Excelsior Service Fellowship Program is a funded two-year fellowship offering talented recent graduates of graduate and advanced degree programs hands on training and experience in New York State government. Excelsior Fellows work full time at host executive-branch agencies, advancing the operational aspects of large policy initiatives.

Fellow placements include the Executive Chamber, Empire State Development Corporation, Justice Center, Department of Environmental Conservation, the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo welcomed the first class of Excelsior Fellows in September 2013 and viewed them as an integral part of his mission to advance opportunities for the best and brightest who are called to public service. Although the Excelsior Service Fellowship Program lasts two years, exceptional fellows may continue to serve New York State. More than 50% of the first and second classes of Excelsior Fellows were offered permanent positions with the State post-fellowship.

Requirements and Details

Candidates must possess a graduate degree (i.e., MPA, MA, MBA) or an advanced degree (i.e., JD, PhD) no later than June 2017. JD fellows will be placed in legal assignments unless they expressly request otherwise. Candidates are encouraged to note their areas of interest and any preferred placement agencies, however final placements will be dictated by budget and the needs of state government. While some opportunities exist in New York City and elsewhere in the state, most agency placements are located in Albany, New York.

Salary is in two-tiers, based on years of work experience after college:

• Fellows with less than five years of post-collegiate work experience are paid $55,000 annually
• Fellows with five or more years of post-collegiate work experience are paid $60,000 annually

Additionally, all fellows receive a comprehensive benefits package including paid leave, health, dental, vision, and other benefits.

All Excelsior Fellows must submit to a background investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the Center for Recruitment and Public Service. Fellowship appointment is contingent upon this background check.

If you are interested in making a difference, serving the people of New York, and helping to write the next great chapter in New York’s history apply to the New York State Excelsior Service Fellowship Program today!

New York State is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Note: Applications and selections for the 2017 New York State Excelsior Service Fellowship Program will be administered by the participating partner schools. Interested applicants should submit the following materials to their school’s designated contact: resume, transcript, 2 letters of recommendation (at least one of which should be academic in nature), and a personal statement/cover letter. The personal statement should outline the candidate’s interest in the Excelsior Service Fellowship and their commitment public service (no more than 750 words).

Applications to the program will be accepted via GC Connect, our job and internship database.  For access, please email careerplan@gc.cuny.edu.

Letters of recommendation also can be forwarded to careerPlan@gc.cuny.edu.

Applications Accepted Until: Feb 07, 2017