Parliamentary Clerk

United States Senate; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Senate seeks a professional, nonpartisan clerk to assist the Parliamentarian in ensuring orderly proceedings and to support daily Senate operations. Tasks include preparing materials for proceedings, researching precedents, and handling inquiries for Senators and staff.

This term-appointment position may lead to an Assistant Parliamentarian role based on performance and office needs, with responsibilities that require extended and irregular hours in line with the Senate schedule.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, procedure, and legislative process; willingness to learn more.
• Ability to understand and analyze Senate proceedings.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams or groups.
• Ability to work independently on projects as directed by the Parliamentarian.
• Ability to use a computer and relevant software programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Ability to perform legislative and legal research.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and proofreading.

Responsibilities

• Support the Office of the Parliamentarian with administrative tasks and maintaining legislative records.
• Interact with Senators, staff, and the public; respond to inquiries.
• Prepare language for resolutions and unanimous consent requests for daily sessions.
• Refer communications to Senate committees and determine appropriate jurisdiction.
• Assist in organizing, researching, editing, compiling, and publishing precedents.
• Assist with delivering legislative material to the Senate Chamber.

Skills

Senate procedure

Legislative research

Written communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Independent working

Computer skills

Confidential handling

Editing / proofreading

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal research databases

Job description

NATURE OF WORK

This is professional, nonpartisan legislative work with responsibility for ensuring the consistent and orderly proceedings of the Senate. Work is supervised by the Parliamentarian and his or her staff, and includes assisting the Parliamentarian and staff on and off the Senate floor in responding to legislative and parliamentary inquiries; preparing materials for the Senate’s daily proceedings and the Senate Calendar of Business; referring executive communications to Senate committees; basic procedural and legislative research; assisting with the preparation of the office’s precedential materials for publication; and general administrative tasks as assigned.

This clerkship is a term appointment, not to exceed two years. Employment beyond the term is contingent on being considered and selected for an Assistant Parliamentarian position, based on demonstrated performance, readiness for the role, and the needs of the office. Employment with the office, including term employment, is at will.

Source materials for this position include the Standing Rules of the Senate (Senate Rules) and Senate precedents, legislative history, statutes, and the United States Code. Work is bound by Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S. Senate Handbook, and the Senate Ethics Manual, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Support the Office of the Parliamentarian with general administrative functions; maintain legislative records; interact frequently with Senators, staff, and the public; and answer phones and manage access to the Parliamentarians.

Respond to legislative/parliamentary questions generated by congressional staff and the public; and refer sensitive issues to the Parliamentarian.

Prepare language for resolutions and unanimous consent requests relative to the opening and closing of daily sessions or routine floor procedures for leadership offices.

Assist Parliamentarians with referring communications to Senate committees for consideration; review contents of each document to determine appropriate jurisdiction; and research Senate precedents and the U.S. Code to determine appropriate jurisdiction.

Assist Parliamentarians in organizing, researching, editing, compiling, writing, and publishing current precedents of the Senate.

Assist Parliamentarians with delivery of legislative parliamentary material to the Senate Chamber.

Maintain current knowledge of the Office of the Parliamentarian’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises and drills; and assist with maintaining EAP and COOP plans.

Provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work is primarily sedentary but requires occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for the performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary. This position is tied to the Senate floor schedule and requires working extended and erratic hours as dictated by the Senate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedure and organization, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate.
• Ability to understand and analyze Senate proceedings.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams or groups.
• Ability to work independently on projects as directed by the Parliamentarian.
• Ability to use a computer and relevant computer software programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform legislative and legal research.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information.
• Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary; and ability to edit and proofread with proficiency.
• Ability to quickly and accurately recognize Senators by sight and voice.
• Ability to interact with high-level Senate officials using tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work extended and erratic hours as dictated by the Senate schedule.
• Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate.
• Must adhere to Senate Chamber rules on decorum and dress code - appropriate attire required in the office.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

License to practice law preferred, but not required. If licensed to practice law in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, an applicant must be a member in good standing.