Senate Committee Services (SCS) is seeking candidates for the position of Staff Coordinator for the Law & Justice Committee. This is a full-time, nonpartisan position, exempt from civil service.
The Senate Law and Justice Committee considers a wide variety of subjects relating to civil and criminal law, including issues involving public safety, law enforcement, sentencing, and corrections. Civil law topics include commercial law, probate, firearms, eminent domain, and Consumer Protection Act remedies and processes. The Committee also oversees family law issues such as marriage, child support, and adoption.
For more information on SCS, please visit our website at:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/SENATE/COMMITTEES/Pages/default.aspx
DUTIES
SCS provides a full range of nonpartisan staff services to the members and committees of the Senate in Olympia. This includes research, drafting, and administrative support services.
The Staff Coordinator position is one of fifteen committee coordinator positions within SCS. The Staff
Coordinator:
• Functions as the lead staff person for the committee Chair and Ranking Minority member in
facilitating the committee process and coordinating the work of committee staff;
• Assists members in developing committee schedules, formulating agendas, tracking legislation,
and coordinating the development of interim work plans and studies; and
• Assigns, coordinates, and supervises the progress and performance of committee analysts/attorneys with varying levels of experience on core legislative work products and services.
The Staff Coordinator also functions as a lead committee analyst or attorney, with issue and bill assignments commensurate with non-supervisory analysts and attorneys. The Staff Coordinator may take lead analytical responsibility for many of the most complex measures before the committee. As such, the Staff Coordinator:
• Performs thorough and objective legal and/or policy research and analysis on public policy issues;
• Develops and evaluates options to assist Senators in meeting their policy goals;
• Drafts bills, amendments, and other legislative documents;
• Presents oral and written staff reports on legislation and other policy matters before the
committee;
• Monitors implementation efforts by state agencies;
• Responds to inquiries on a wide variety of policy issues related to committee assignment areas; and • Develops appropriate professional relationships with state agency staff and interest groups.
EDUCATION AND BAR MEMBERSHIP
A law degree and membership in a state bar association are required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Desirable qualifications include:
• Working knowledge of the legislative process derived from experience in a nonpartisan legislative
or other public policy making setting.
• Knowledge of policy and/or legal issues within the committee's jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of the principles of organization and personnel management.
• Proven ability to perform high-quality, objective research and analysis in a position requiring high
levels of self-direction.
• A creative, flexible, service-oriented approach to work.
• Excellent analytical, writing, problem solving, and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours and be capable of handling the complex and difficult situations that a fast-paced, high-pressure legislative environment offers.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
Salaries for professional legislative staff are competitive. The specific salary will depend on the successful applicant’s education and experience.
Employee benefits include: vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested applicants should submit: (1) a brief letter of interest describing specific qualifications for the position; (2) a current resume detailing experience and education; (3) a writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s policy and/or legal research and analysis skills; and (4) at least three references with current telephone numbers to:
Susan Howson, Director
Senate Committee Services
PO Box 40466
Olympia, Washington 98504-0466
Electronic applications may be sent to: Ariel Kennedy at Ariel.Kennedy@leg.wa.gov Phone contact: Ariel Kennedy at (360) 786-7432.
Applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible as screening will begin immediately. Applications should be submitted no later than Monday, August 24, 2015.
Washington State Senate is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Senate Law and Justice Committee considers a wide variety of subjects relating to civil and criminal law, including issues involving public safety, law enforcement, sentencing, and corrections. Civil law topics include commercial law, probate, firearms, eminent domain, and Consumer Protection Act remedies and processes. The Committee also oversees family law issues such as marriage, child support, and adoption.
For more information on SCS, please visit our website at:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/SENATE/COMMITTEES/Pages/default.aspx
DUTIES
SCS provides a full range of nonpartisan staff services to the members and committees of the Senate in Olympia. This includes research, drafting, and administrative support services.
The Staff Coordinator position is one of fifteen committee coordinator positions within SCS. The Staff
Coordinator:
• Functions as the lead staff person for the committee Chair and Ranking Minority member in
facilitating the committee process and coordinating the work of committee staff;
• Assists members in developing committee schedules, formulating agendas, tracking legislation,
and coordinating the development of interim work plans and studies; and
• Assigns, coordinates, and supervises the progress and performance of committee analysts/attorneys with varying levels of experience on core legislative work products and services.
The Staff Coordinator also functions as a lead committee analyst or attorney, with issue and bill assignments commensurate with non-supervisory analysts and attorneys. The Staff Coordinator may take lead analytical responsibility for many of the most complex measures before the committee. As such, the Staff Coordinator:
• Performs thorough and objective legal and/or policy research and analysis on public policy issues;
• Develops and evaluates options to assist Senators in meeting their policy goals;
• Drafts bills, amendments, and other legislative documents;
• Presents oral and written staff reports on legislation and other policy matters before the
committee;
• Monitors implementation efforts by state agencies;
• Responds to inquiries on a wide variety of policy issues related to committee assignment areas; and • Develops appropriate professional relationships with state agency staff and interest groups.
EDUCATION AND BAR MEMBERSHIP
A law degree and membership in a state bar association are required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Desirable qualifications include:
• Working knowledge of the legislative process derived from experience in a nonpartisan legislative
or other public policy making setting.
• Knowledge of policy and/or legal issues within the committee's jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of the principles of organization and personnel management.
• Proven ability to perform high-quality, objective research and analysis in a position requiring high
levels of self-direction.
• A creative, flexible, service-oriented approach to work.
• Excellent analytical, writing, problem solving, and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to work long, irregular hours and be capable of handling the complex and difficult situations that a fast-paced, high-pressure legislative environment offers.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
Salaries for professional legislative staff are competitive. The specific salary will depend on the successful applicant’s education and experience.
Employee benefits include: vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested applicants should submit: (1) a brief letter of interest describing specific qualifications for the position; (2) a current resume detailing experience and education; (3) a writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s policy and/or legal research and analysis skills; and (4) at least three references with current telephone numbers to:
Susan Howson, Director
Senate Committee Services
PO Box 40466
Olympia, Washington 98504-0466
Electronic applications may be sent to: Ariel Kennedy at Ariel.Kennedy@leg.wa.gov Phone contact: Ariel Kennedy at (360) 786-7432.
Applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible as screening will begin immediately. Applications should be submitted no later than Monday, August 24, 2015.
Washington State Senate is an Equal Opportunity Employer
