What is more weird is that I saw the ad at all. Happened to be next to a con't article from the first page.
Here in NY State, sometimes Civil Service Jobs must be publically posted if they do not have qualified canidates from withen. The ad ran one day and thus fulfilled the legal requirement, even if you plan on hireing your Son-In-Law anyway.
It is a County position and thus comes under NY State Civil Service Laws.
Being a Civil Servant myself, at my job, openings are placed on bulletin boards and posted on website which fufills legal requirements.
Regards,
Robin