Science/Policy Student Assistant (Paid, Summer Opportunity for Graduate & Undergraduate Students)
Division of Social Justice
Environmental Protection Bureau - Albany
Science/Policy Student Assistant (Paid, Summer Opportunity for Graduate & Undergraduate Students)
Reference No. EPB/SCI_ALB_PUGS_SUM_2020
The application deadline is April 17, 2020
The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of the New York State Office of the Attorney General (“OAG”) in Albany is seeking applications from graduate and undergraduate students for a paid science/policy position during the summer 2020.
The EPB is responsible for enforcing state and federal environmental laws and has the power to file lawsuits on behalf of the State of New York to protect public health and the environment. The Bureau enforces environmental standards and defends State agencies when their regulatory efforts are challenged in court. In addition, the Bureau's attorneys and technical staff investigate and respond to citizen complaints, file lawsuits for public nuisance conditions, prosecute environmental crimes, enforce solid waste laws and prepare reports and brochures on environmental issues.
Students will assist the scientific and policy staff in exploring difficult and groundbreaking environmental and legal issues. Responsibilities include undertaking scientific research through internet searches, review of peer-reviewed articles, and data analyses; briefing staff on technical issues and keeping them updated on the most recent developments; drafting reports and fact sheets; preparing presentations using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; and assisting staff in preparing for negotiations with violators of environmental laws.
In addition, students may gain experience working with Federal, State and Local government agency staff, non-profit environmental organizations, and experts. In the past, students have worked on issues regarding climate change, hazardous and solid waste management, toxic air emissions, public health, sustainability and energy related matters, drinking water quality, wetland management and many others. Students work closely with the Chief Scientist, the Policy Analyst and other professional staff in the office who will provide mentoring, guidance and advice, thereby facilitating learning and performance. The key qualities we look for include a strong background in science, intellectual curiosity, strong initiative, effective writing and communication skills, and an interest in the quality of our environment.
Position Details
- Undergraduates in their first year should wait to submit their applications until after they have received their first semester grades.
- The OAG’s summer program will officially run from June 1 – July 24, 2020. The student hired for this position will work 30 hours/week for the 8 weeks of the program.
- The selected candidate will be hired as a student assistant at the hourly rate of $15.28 for graduate students and $13.86 for undergraduate students.
- Applications will be accepted online and positions will be filled on a rolling basis.
- Applicants must be available to meet in person or by video conference for interviews.
- Applicants must be eligible to be employed in the U.S.
- To be eligible, applicants must be full-time graduate or undergraduate students in good academic standing as defined by their schools.
- Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the OAG prior to submitting their applications by visiting the Divisions and Bureaus and Media sections of the OAG website.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
How 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 opportunity are being received online. To apply, please click on the link:
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.
The application deadline is April 17, 2020, but please note that positions will be filled on a rolling basis.
The following documents are required for each application that is submitted: (Click on the document name to learn more)
- Please address to Legal Recruitment.
- If applying to multiple bureaus/regional offices, we recommend that you submit the same cover letter for each application, ranking those bureaus/regional offices in order of your preference.
- Indicate in your cover letter whether there are any deadlines related to your candidacy.
List of three (3) references.
- Only submit professional (i.e., supervisor or professor) references.
- Indicate your professional relationship to each reference.
- Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
- An unofficial transcript is acceptable.
- Undergraduates in their first year should wait to submit their application until after they have received their first semester grades.
- Submit any piece of writing that demonstrates your ability to communicate and analyze information in a clear and concise manner, as well as your grammatical skills.
Failure to submit a complete application will delay the consideration of your candidacy.
Please allow at least three (3) business weeks for your application to be processed and reviewed by the hiring bureau/regional office. After three (3) weeks, to request a status update, please click here.
If you have questions about a position with the OAG, the application process or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Legal Recruitment at recruitment@ag.ny.gov.