Legislative Assistant & Constituent Liaison

Washington State Senate; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision

Retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Washington State Senate in Olympia seeks a Legislative Assistant to a New Senate Democratic Caucus Member. This full-time, exempt position will manage the Senator's office operations, serve as liaison to legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, and constituents, and help set the tone for visitors.

The role requires strong communication, project management, and discretion; in-session in-person work with in-state remote options when not in session.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful and professional manner.
• Ability to maintain productive working relationships with Senators, staff, lobbyists/advocates, and constituents.
• Well-developed project management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to understand and competently operate legislative computer systems and video conferencing software.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the committee and leadership structure in the Washington State Legislature.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the public records law and the legislative records retention schedule.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Have a passion for the legislative process, good government, and public service.
• The courage to question conventional wisdom and challenge the status quo when appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the Senator's office.
• Serve as a liaison between the Senator and internal and external parties (legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, local/federal governments, tribal nations, and constituents).
• Field questions from the public regarding legislation, the Senator’s stance on issues, and other legislative-related questions.
• Collaborate with caucus communications staff on drafting talking points, press releases, mailings, and in planning town halls and district-specific media strategies.
• Draft and/or review responses to legislative correspondence; exercise independent judgement to determine the appropriate course of action.
• Assist constituents in their interactions with state agencies.
• Meet with constituents, lobbyists, and other parties on behalf of the Senator.
• Organize in-person and virtual legislative events.
• Monitor district-specific issues and concerns.
• Maintain the Senator’s legislative calendar throughout the year; prioritizing meeting requests, preparing briefing and background materials for meetings, and arranging travel details.
• Oversee the Senator’s legislative office budget, including making equipment purchases and submitting travel and reimbursement requests.
• Manage, submit, and track the Senator’s budget requests throughout the budget process.
• In consultation with the Senator, recruit candidates for session staff positions.
• Train session staff to ensure compliance with office procedures and Senate rules.
• Supervises and coordinates the work of temporary office staff and intern during the legislative session
• Oversee progression of bills and amendments through the legislative process.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication between the Senator and stakeholders in the creation, development, and progression of legislation.
• Organize committee testimony for the Senator’s prime sponsor bills.
• Collaborate with partisan caucus policy staff and non-partisan committee services staff to implement the Senator’s policy goals.
• Maintain and preserve records of the legislative office.
• Conduct records searches for responsive public records as needed.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Project management

Relationship building

Public policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Washington State Senate in Olympia seeks a Legislative Assistant to a New Senate Democratic Caucus Member. This full-time, exempt position will manage the Senator's office operations, serve as liaison to legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, and constituents, and help set the tone for visitors.

The role requires strong communication, project management, and discretion; in-session in-person work with in-state remote options when not in session.