Student Mediator (Paid, Part-Time Placement for Graduate and Undergraduate students)

Regional Affairs Division
Buffalo Regional Office
Student Mediator
Reference No. BUF_PUGS_2025

Paid, Part-Time Placement for Undergraduate and Graduate Students | Application Deadline is March 28, 2025*

The Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (OAG) Buffalo Regional Office is seeking undergraduate and
graduate students to serve as student mediators for pay. The office prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged
in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or illegal trade practices. In addition to litigating, the office mediates thousands
of complaints each year from individual consumers. The students will mediate individual complaints filed by
consumers against businesses, answer inquiries from the public on a variety of topics, and support investigations
into larger patterns of fraud or illegality.

Mediation is an informal process where OAG acts as a neutral third party and attempts to assist consumers and
businesses in resolving disputes on a voluntary basis. A large percentage of these complaints are resolved
satisfactorily through this process. The student will be assigned a docket of complaint files covering a broad range of
consumer issues including retail sales, mail order transactions, credit transactions, telemarketing, warranty
problems, home repair, and automobiles.

Students learn interviewing techniques and develop analytical skills. While each complaint is reviewed by an
employee, the student typically exercises significant discretion and independent judgment. Professional staff and
attorneys are always available to answer questions. The position affords the student an unusual degree of
responsibility and requires the student to display excellent judgment.

Student mediators also answer phone inquiries from the public. When the call is related to a consumer matter, the
student will assist the caller in filing a complaint and explaining our mediation program. We also receive calls on a
range of topics that are not appropriate for our mediation program. In those instances, the students will help those
callers find the best assistance possible elsewhere. Extensive and ongoing phone training is provided, and students
receive support and coaching from permanent staff. Students develop excellent communication skills, including
effectively and productively handling conversations with dissatisfied callers.

Students may have the opportunity to support law enforcement investigations and actions. Please be advised that
opportunities to assist with this work will vary depending on the Office’s caseload and the nature of the cases
currently being handled. Students will also summarize consumer complaints, complete data entry, review business
documents, and perform online research assignments. To successfully complete these tasks, students must be very
detail oriented.

Placement Details

• This placement requires in-office work. REMOTE WORK IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THIS PLACEMENT. Therefore,

applicants must be available to report to 350 Main Street, Buffalo, NY on their scheduled workdays.

• To be eligible for a paid placement, applicants must be able to demonstrate they are full-time students in good

academic standing as defined by their schools. Applications from students who started college/university
during the 2024-25 academic year will not be considered.

• Applicants must be available to work 15-30 hours per week during regular business hours.
• Students who are available to continue working during the summer term and into the 2025-26 academic

year are strongly preferred. Please be advised reappointment for additional semesters/terms is possible but
neither automatic nor guaranteed.

• The selected candidate will be hired as a student assistant and paid hourly at either the undergraduate

student rate, which is $15.91 or the graduate student rate, which is $17.55.

• Applications are accepted online until March 21, 2025, and paid placement offers are made on a rolling

basis.*

• United States (U.S.) citizenship and New York state residency are not required, but applicants must be eligible

to be employed in the U.S.

• Applicants are encouraged to learn more about OAG bureaus and regional offices prior to submitting their

applications by reviewing information that is available on the public website.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.



H ow to Apply

The following section provides detailed information about the application process and application requirements. Please review
the complete list of instructions prior to preparing and submitting your application materials online.

• Applications for this placement must be submitted online.

BUF_PUGS_2025

• Applications are submitted separately for each bureau/regional office, and an applicant’s candidacy for each

application is determined separately by each bureau/regional office.

• Applications are accepted online until March 21, 2025, and placement offers are made on a rolling

basis.*

• The following four (4) documents must be submitted with your application:
  

Your documents should reflect your own thoughts/work product in text that was written by you.

that will enhance OAG’s ability to better serve the diverse population of this state.
2. Resume

• Ensure your resume is complete and current prior to submitting your application.

3. List of three (3) references.

• Submit only professional (i.e., supervisor or professor) references.
• For each reference, indicate the nature and duration of your relationship.
• Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
• Please note that your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the

placement.
4. Writing Sample

• Submit a paper completed for school or a writing sample that was prepared for a job or

during an internship/externship.

• Submit a sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze and organize information into an

effective document.

• We recommend submitting a sample that is 3-6 pages in length.
• If needed, please include a cover page providing the reviewer with any relevant background

If you have questions about a placement with OAG, the application process, or need assistance with submitting your application,

please contact Legal Recruitment via email at recruitment@ag.ny.gov.