Constitution of the State of New York Art. V § 4. [Department heads]

The head of the department of audit and control shall be the comptroller and of the department of law, the attorney-general.  The head of the department of education shall be The Regents of the University of the State of New York, who shall appoint and at pleasure remove a commissioner of education to be the chief administrative officer of the department.  The head of the department of agriculture and markets shall be appointed in a manner to be prescribed by law.  Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, the heads of all other departments and the members of all boards and commissions, excepting temporary commissions for special purposes, shall be appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate and may be removed by the governor, in a manner to be prescribed by law.