LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SPECIALIST

State of Arkansas; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Legislative Research in Arkansas seeks an entry-level Legislative Committee Specialist to support committees with nonpartisan analysis, prepare reports, and assist during sessions.

Under supervision, you will manage agenda preparation, provide staff support to committees, and coordinate travel and communications with legislators and state agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
• Familiarity with state and federal intergovernmental relations.
• Knowledge of Arkansas state government structure.
• Familiarity with objective research methods.
• Proficient in Windows apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to extract and compile information.
• Ability to present results clearly in writing or speech.
• Ability to work with legislators and state admins.

Responsibilities

• Provide nonpartisan review and analysis of issues for committees.
• Prepare narrative and data-based reports.
• Assist committees during sessions and interim.
• Coordinate agendas, notices, and documents for committee meetings.
• Assist in planning and coordination of out-of-town committee meetings.
• Travel as needed to meetings.
• Direct work of the assigned administrative assistant.

Skills

Intergovernmental relations

Public presentations

Written & verbal communication

Legislator relationship building

Research & analysis

Source extraction

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Category: BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

Anticipated Starting Salary: $47,397

POSITION: Legislative Committee Specialist, Committee Services Section

GRADE: SGS05

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Legislative Committee Specialist is an entry-level position that works under direct supervision of the Committee Services Administrator and is responsible for providing nonpartisan review and analysis of issues related to an assigned subject or legislative committee. The Legislative Committee Specialist is responsible for researching and preparing narrative and data-based reports, providing staff assistance to assigned legislative committees during legislative sessions and the interim, and providing technical assistance in assigned areas to members of the General Assembly.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Research data as requested by legislators and supervisor and prepare reports of findings.
• Provide information and assistance to legislators in assigned areas as required.
• Provide staff support to committees, including assist committee chair by preparing agendas, notices, and other documents required for committee meetings.
• Assist in planning and coordination of out-of-town committee meetings.
• Know and be able to apply rules of each chamber and committee, including precedence of motions.
• Manage materials displayed on members’ Tablets during each meeting.
• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, Bureau staff, and members of the public with regard to issues concerning assigned committees and committee meetings.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned subject matter areas.
• Travel as needed to in-state and out-of-state committee meetings.
• Direct work of the assigned administrative assistant.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Occasional out-of-state travel to seminars or conferences.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required or assigned by the Committee Services Administrator, the Deputy Director for Research Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Formal education equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Familiarity with state and federal intergovernmental relations.
• Familiarity with the structure and function of Arkansas state government and programs.
• Familiarity with objective research methodology and diverse information resources.
• Knowledge of and experience with Windows Applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to extract and compile information from various sources.
• Ability to express the results of research in concise written or verbal form.
• Ability to provide public presentations.
• Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with legislators and state administrators.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS

• Effectively assists committee chair in conducting committee meetings.
• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency personnel, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrates proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.
• Thoroughly and punctually prepares the meeting agenda and other materials for committee meetings.
• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.
• Effectively organizes and monitors the status of projects and work flow.
• Works cooperatively at problem solving and assists co-workers with a variety of tasks.
• Attends job-related trainings.
• Ability to become proficient in in-house software programs.