Duties Description The New York State Department of Financial Services seeks to build an equitable, transparent, and resilient financial system that benefits individuals and supports business. Through engagement, data-driven regulation and policy, and operational excellence, the Department and its employees are responsible for empowering consumers and protecting them from financial harm; ensuring the health of the entities we regulate; driving economic growth in New York through responsible innovation; and preserving the stability of the global financial system.
The Department of Financial Services is seeking applicants for a role helping to shape and carry out DFS's Innovation Policy agenda. This agenda centers around interacting with innovative, often technology-intensive financial-services companies and industries, helping to bridge the gap between their needs and financial regulations that may have been created before the new business models existed. The agenda will also involve broader policy research and analysis, much of it focused on fintech, insurtech, and regtech business proposals or developments.
The Innovation Policy Unit is charged with performing qualitative and quantitative research to inform DFS decision-making and influence internal and external stakeholders; conducting policy reviews of innovation topics; maintaining best practices for policy review and development; managing an external engagement program with innovators; and hosting and attending innovation-related outreach events.
The Senior Innovation Policy Specialist 2 will support policy analysis projects and cross-agency initiatives and will serve as the central coordinator for projects in the Innovation Policy Unit to ensure proper implementation. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Maintains a thorough understanding of emerging innovation policy issues including those related to artificial intelligence, data privacy, payments, fintech and insurtech and their business models, third-party service providers, and other topics at the intersection of emerging technology and financial markets;
• Identifies and assesses relevant current and emerging risks, and presents recommendations for regulatory actions;
• Collaborates with colleagues and assists on projects across DFS including as part of multidisciplinary teams;
• Assists in drafting policy recommendations, and contributes extensively to the analysis of policy proposals;
• Directs and manages agency projects by conducting research, developing implementation strategies, providing oversight, implementing policies and procedures, and providing recommendations to resolve issues and ensure project timelines are met;
• Supports the development and maintenance of partnerships with internal and external persons and entities and meets with outside stakeholders to discuss programs and projects;
• Provides briefings and status updates to senior staff and other parties;
• Works on projects and initiatives as requested by the Superintendent and other senior staff;
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Appointment Method:
Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications listed below in order to be eligible for appointment.
Non-Competitive: Seven (7) years of specialized experience in one (1) of the following:
• Research, planning, administration, and/or analysis of the policies and procedures affecting regulated entities and how they conduct business activities with the public and/or other regulated entities.
• Research and analysis of State and federal statutes and regulations and their effects upon the business activities of financial services entities with regard to the public and/or other financial services entities.
An associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; master's degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience.
Additional Comments Please note that a change in negotiating unit may affect your salary, insurance and other benefits.
Salary: The starting salary for this position is $90,582 with periodic increases up to $114,585.
Positions located within the New York City metropolitan area, as well as Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, are also eligible to receive an additional $4,150 annual downstate adjustment.
Appointment Status: Permanent
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Kara Waters
Telephone
Email Address NCE.Notifications@DFS.ny.gov
Address
Street One Commerce Plaza
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12257
Notes on Applying To Apply: Interested qualified candidates must submit a resume and letter of interest no later than October 19, 2026 to the email address listed below. Please include the Box # (Box SIPS-FSS2PA-10630) in the subject line of your email to ensure receipt of your application. Email submissions are preferred.
Please be advised that the New York State Department of Financial Services does not offer sponsorship for employment visas.
Kara Waters
Box SIPS -FSS2PA-10630
New York State Department of Financial Services
Office of Human Resources Management
One Commerce Plaza, Suite 301
Albany, NY 12257
Email: NCE.Notifications@dfs.ny.gov
Fax: (518) 402-5071
All candidates that apply may not be scheduled for an interview.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Employment with New York State qualifies an individual for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This program forgives the remaining balance on any Direct Student Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization. To learn more about the program and whether you would qualify, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
