Legislative Assistant to Senator Vandana Slatter

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Washington State Senate in Olympia seeks a Legislative Assistant to Senator Vandana Slatter. This full-time position coordinates day-to-day operations, liaises with staff, lobbyists, agencies, and constituents, and drafts materials to support policy goals.

The LA works with the Senator to manage calendars, plan events, and ensure effective communication across the district, with expectations of long hours during session and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and workflows with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn legislative processes and records retention schedules.
• Experience supporting public officials or legislative offices is a plus.
• Strong judgment, discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
• Commitment to public service and good government principles.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Senator's office.
• Serve as liaison between Senator, staff, lobbyists, agencies and constituents.
• Field public questions regarding legislation and the Senator's positions.
• Draft talking points, press materials, and plan district events.
• Organize briefing materials, travel details, and budget management.
• Recruit and train session staff; supervise interns during sessions.
• Oversee committee testimony and progression of bills.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship management

Project management

Tech literacy

Legislative structure

Public records

Discretion

Public service

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

EXEMPT RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE: Legislative Assistant to Senator Vandana Slatter

SALARY: $5,061 - $8,770 monthly depending on qualifications

LOCATION: Olympia, Washington

CLOSES: October 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST.

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 Slatter represents Washington State’s 48th Legislative District which includes part of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and all of Clyde Hill, Medina, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point. She currently serves as vice chair of the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, vice chair of the Health & Long-Term Care Committee, and as a member of Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee.

More information here: https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/slatter/

POSITION PROFILE

Senator Slatter’s Legislative Assistant (LA) is a highly organized and motivated professional who works with our team to lead and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the legislative office. The LA anticipates needs, manages competing priorities, communicates proactively, and supports staff in delivering the highest quality service, representation, and leadership for the people of the 48th Legislative District.

Working closely with the Senator, staff, constituents, community partners, and legislative colleagues, the LA helps ensure the office is responsive, professional, and effective. The position requires initiative, sound judgment, discretion, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to manage staff and workflows. As the first point of contact for many visitors and constituents, the LA sets a welcoming and respectful tone for the Office of Senator Slatter.

This is a full-time, year-round position exempt from civil service laws. The position is represented by a union.

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

REQUIREMENTS

• 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.

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. When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work is supported, except when needed to be in-person for training or legislative meetings.
• 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.

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.

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.