Department of Civil Service

Description:

The Counsel's Office of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets supports the agency's mission of fostering a viable agricultural industry, fostering agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguarding our food supply. The Office provides legal advice and representation to the Commissioner, the Department's executive staff and the individual divisions within the agency.

Student Intern Program:
Counsel's Office conducts administrative hearings that the Department brings to revoke licenses or permits of persons who operate food production or processing facilities that are not maintained under sanitary conditions, or to obtain injunctive relief to prohibit the operation of such facilities. An intern could have the opportunity to observe an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge, and under the supervision of an attorney, prepare court documents to recover civil penalties assessed for food adulteration and other types of violations of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
Interns will also assist in drafting and reviewing contracts and grants for the Department, ranging from agricultural conservation easements to State Fair related contracts. They may also be involved in the issuance of opinions on such matters as whether an agricultural practice is sound or whether a particular land use is agricultural in nature. Interns may assist with the Department's response to request made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Further, the Department also commences actions to obtain administrative warrants in support of quarantine programs. Interns would have an opportunity assist in the coordination with program staff.

The Office also assists in the Department's legislative process, including the drafting of proposed legislation and support memoranda; and the tracking, research and analysis of bills which might impact agricultural land, food safety and other important agricultural issues. Additionally, the Office assists in drafting regulations to be proposed and promulgated, drafting amendments to current regulations and drafting documents to repeal regulations that are no longer applicable.

The Department is involved in a wide array of subject matter areas, many of which generate interesting policy issues and, occasionally, legal issues of first impression. The diverse practice of Counsel's Office provides many opportunities to research novel issues of law.
The ideal candidate will be highly organized, able to exercise judgment and work independently, have excellent problem solving and time management skills, and attention to detail. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working in a local, state or federal agency with an environmental and/or civil litigation background. Strong computer skills are required, including but not limited to Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word.

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample to Nicole Persaud, Senior Attorney, via e-mail at Nicole.Persaud@agriculture.ny.gov.

Skills:

Highly Organized/Attention to Detail

Problem Solving

Time Management

Strong Computer Skills

Environmental/Civil Litigation

Internship Areas: Agriculture, Legal Specialties