Paid, PT Internship Mediating Consumer Fraud Complaints

Regional Offices Division

Buffalo Regional Office

Student Mediator

Reference No. BUF_PUGS_2026

Paid, Part-Time Placement for Undergraduate and Graduate Students | Application Deadline is March 27, 2026*

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. 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 will be starting college/university during the 2026 fall semester will not be considered.
• Applicants must be available to work 15-30 hours per week during regular business hours. Applicants who are available to work during the summer and fall terms are preferred. Please be advised rehire for additional terms is possible but neither automatic nor guaranteed.
• The selected student will be hired as a student assistant and paid either the graduated student hourly pay rate of $19.38, or the undergraduate student hourly pay rate of $16.39.
• Applications are accepted online until March 27, 2026, 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.
 

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 placement must be submitted online. To apply, please click the following link: 

BUF_PUGS_2026

• 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  27, 2026, and paid 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. Do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate application documents. Once submitted, you will not be able to access or edit your application. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to have someone review/proofread your documents ahead of submitting your application online.

1. Cover Letter
   • You may address your letter to the Legal Recruitment Unit.
   • Indicate why you are interested in a placement with OAG and what makes you a strong candidate.
   • You may wish to include information about what life experiences you will bring to the position that will enhance OAG’s ability to serve the diverse population of this state.
2. Resume
   • Ensure your resume is complete and current prior to submitting your application.
3. Reference List
   • Submit a list of three (3) professional references (i.e., supervisor or professor).
   • 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 2-4 pages in length.
   • If needed, please include a cover page providing the reviewer with any relevant background information or context.
   • Failure to submit a complete application will delay the consideration of your candidacy.
   • If a bureau wishes to schedule an interview, they will contact you directly to arrange this meeting.

• Failure to submit a complete application will delay the consideration of your candidacy.
• If a bureau wishes to schedule an interview, they will contact you directly to arrange this meeting.

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.