Legislative Assistant To Senator Leonard Christian

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.

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.

Qualifications

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.

Job Description