Legislative Assistant to Senator Leonard Christian

Washington State Senate; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation compensation available

Job summary

Washington State Senate seeks a legislative assistant residing in-district and willing to relocate to Olympia for the legislative session. This full-time, exempt role supports the Senator’s office, manages daily operations, liaison work, constituent services, and event coordination throughout the year.

The LA will work with stakeholders, draft materials, and monitor district issues while navigating long hours during session; relocation assistance is available for those beyond 50 miles.)

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree AND one year of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the Senator’s office.
• Attend in-district meetings with the Senator when the Legislature is not in session.
• Liaise between the Senator and legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, tribes, and constituents.
• Field questions from the public regarding legislation and the Senator’s stance.
• Draft talking points, press releases, mailings, and plan district media strategies.
• Draft and review legislative correspondence and exercise independent judgment.
• Assist constituents with state agency interactions.
• Meet with constituents, lobbyists, and other parties on the Senator’s behalf.
• Organize in-person and virtual legislative events.
• Monitor district-specific issues and maintain the legislative calendar.
• Oversee office budget, equipment purchases, and travel reimbursements.
• Manage budget requests through the budget process.
• Recruit session staff and train them on procedures and Senate rules.
• Supervise temporary office staff and interns during session.
• Oversee progression of bills and amendments through the process.
• Coordinate communication with stakeholders for legislation.

Skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Professional judgment

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Video conferencing software

Legislative computer systems

Job description

SENATE PROFILE

The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually in the Capitol Building in Olympia beginning on the second Monday in January. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and its legislative members.

MEMBER PROFILE

Senator Christian represents Washington State’s 4th Legislative District, which includes Colbert, Green Bluff, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and Spokane Valley. He is a ranking member on the Human Services committee and serves on the Health & Long-Term Care and Transportation committees.

POSITION PROFILE

Senator Christian is seeking a legislative assistant who resides in-district and is willing and able to temporarily relocate to Olympia for the legislative session. The legislative assistant (LA) is a highly motivated self-starter that will help our team provide the highest quality service, representation, and leadership for the people of the 4th Legislative District. The LA will also be the first face people see in the office of Senator Christian and helps set the tone for all visitors to our office.

This is a full-time year-round position that is exempt from civil service laws.

POSITION DUTIES

• Manage the daily operations of Senator Christian’s office.


• Attend in-district meetings both with the Senator and on the Senator’s behalf when the legislature is not in session.


• Serve as a liaison between the Senator and both 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.

Successful candidates will possess:

• Familiarity with the 4th Legislative District


• Highly motivated self-starter able to be self-directed, independent, and support Senator Christian in advancing his policy priorities while balancing other demands, particularly during interim.


• Strong organizational skills with an emphasis on managing their time, prioritizing tasks and staying focused on the needs of the Senator and his constituents.


• Strong customer service skills particularly when working with constituents, providing courteous and timely responses.


• Ability to maintain confidentiality.


• Ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion.


• 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 of the Washington State Legislature.


• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the public records law and the legislative records retention schedule.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree AND one year of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position works in-person in Olympia during the legislative session. Relocation compensation is available for permanent staff who live more than 50 miles from Olympia.


• When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work is supported, but the LA should be based in-district as they are expected to be available to attend in-person meetings. They must also be able to be in-person for training and legislative meetings held at the Capitol Campus in Olympia during interim.


• Long and irregular hours are required during the legislative session, including evening and weekend work. When the Legislature is not in session, flexible schedule options are available.


• This position is full-time and exempt from civil service.

SALARY RANGE

RCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The salary and classification for this position is based on relevant experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $5,061 - $8,770 monthly. A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions; paid subscription to DeleteMe; and tuition reimbursement.

More information here: https://leonardchristian.src.wastateleg.org

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at [e-mail].

The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.