Legislative Assistant Supervisor
UPDATE: WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION
| OPENS: | September 12, 2024 |
| CLOSES: | September 28, 2024 |
| REPORTS TO: | Legislative Assistant Staff Director |
| LOCATION: | Thurston County — Olympia, Washington |
| SALARY: | $79,668 – $138,060 annually
(The above reflects the salary range, starting salary based on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications will likely be below the top of the range.) |
About the House of Representatives:
The House of Representatives (House) comprises half of the Washington State Legislature and is made up of 98 members elected to serve two-year terms, representing 49 legislative districts. The House employs approximately 240 full-time year-round staff and 100 temporary session staff and interns. Staff workgroups include nonpartisan staff, Democratic Caucus staff and Republican Caucus staff. The Legislature meets annually on the second Monday in January on the capitol campus in Olympia. 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.
Our workplace is on the beautiful capitol campus in Olympia. The 486-acre campus includes the Legislative Building and other historic structures, as well as popular parks and trails with views of Capitol Lake, Budd Inlet, and the Olympic Mountains.
The House of Representatives holds themselves to the Legislative Code of Conduct which expects the following:
- We conduct ourselves with self-awareness, self-respect, and professionalism;
- We treat others with respect, dignity, and civility, regardless of status or position; and
- We refrain from engaging in hostile, intimidating, offensive, or unlawful activities or behaviors that may amount to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or bullying.
About The House Democratic Caucus:
The Washington State House Democratic Caucus (HDC) consists exclusively of the Democratic members of the Washington State House of Representatives. Our caucus staff team is comprised of administrative, policy, and communications professionals supporting HDC members in their legislative activities. Policy analysts provide analysis, research, and legislative strategy advising in their respective policy areas to all House Democrats. Communications specialists help members of the HDC communicate with their district, the media, interested parties, and the general public about policies considered and passed by the Legislature. Legislative Assistants staff and manage individual member offices. HDC caucus staff share a passion for public service, a commitment to addressing inequities in partnership with community, and for improving the way Washington delivers services to its residents.
We believe that honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion means that as an organization, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes, can Washington State House of Representatives employees achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the House of Representatives.
Position Profile:
The HDC Legislative Assistant management team consists of one Legislative Assistant Staff Director, supported by three Legislative Assistant Supervisors. These positions are responsible to hire, supervise, mentor, and provide administrative oversight for an assigned group of House Democratic Caucus Legislative Assistants (LAs).
Each LA Supervisor has the same CORE responsibilities. In addition to the CORE responsibilities, each position coordinates a unique portfolio of tasks:
- Professional Development/Training Coordinator
- Special Projects Coordinator
- Equity Team Liaison
This recruitment will be used to fill one position. The portfolio assignment will be determined by the team, depending on interest area and qualifications. Portfolio tasks and CORE responsibilities are listed below.
How You’ll Be Expected to Contribute:
Supervision –CORE
- Co-supervise a cohort of LAs in conjunction with members, keeping the LA Staff Director apprised of challenges, concerns, and plans of action for addressing issues as they occur.
- Collaborate with LAs and/or members to address communication issues and opportunities for performance improvement. Confer with The LA Staff Director, Chief of Staff and/or Human Resources, as needed.
- Fulfill reporting duties in accordance with the House Respectful Workplace Policy.
- Partner with Caucus Operations Coordinator and other LA Supervisors to augment LA onboarding and coordinate ongoing training opportunities for LA success.
- Meet with each cohort LA and member on regular basis to gather feedback, discuss goal setting, and identify professional development opportunities.
- Anticipate needs of the LA workgroup to provide relevant information in a timely manner and create monthly meeting agendas in collaboration with the LA Staff Director and other LA Supervisors.
- Partner with the LA Staff Director during LA hiring process.
Personnel and Administrative Support –CORE
- Manage confidential employment information.
- Act as a resource for LAs regarding House policies, forms, and operations.
- Review and approve administrative requests in accordance with House policies and procedures including travel authorizations, leave requests, interim schedules, overtime trackers, reimbursement requests, and session allowances.
- Provide short-term member office coverage, including but not limited to monitoring email, answering phones, scheduling, responding to member requests, and responding to constituents.
Legislative Assistant Supervisor & Professional Development/Training Coordinator –Portfolio
- Internal Communication, Mentorship, & Professional Development/Training Coordination
- Collaborate with LA Staff Director and other LA supervisors to provide professional development opportunities; develop and manage ongoing LA training programs.
- Develop a multi-year Legislative Assistant to Senior Legislative Assistant professional development plan.
- Facilitate and support HDC LA Mentor Program in collaboration with other LA Supervisors and designated LAs.
- Facilitate and support LA skill shares and other ad hoc training based on need.
- Lead the planning and coordination of annual LA Advance in collaboration with LA Staff Director and other LA Supervisors.
- Plan other professional development, training, or team building opportunities for monthly in-person days.
Legislative Assistant Supervisor & Special Projects Coordinator –Portfolio
- Internal Communication, Staff Support, & Special Projects Coordination
- Partner with HDC Senior Advisor and LA Staff Director to provide new member office support.
- Collaborate with Public Records Office to develop paper records archiving plans for member offices.
- Collaborate with LA Staff Director, Policy Staff Director, Communications Staff Director, and Chief of Staff to identify HDC all staff team building opportunities.
- Collaborate with House Administration and Facilities on project updates and member office moves.
- Coordinate member office moves with House Administration and HDC Whip.
- Collaborate with LA Staff Director and other LA Supervisors on process improvement and additional development of LA reviews.
- Provide back up to LA Staff Director and other LA Supervisors for travel authorizations, leave requests, overtime trackers, reimbursements requests, and other administrative tasks, as needed.
- Provide back up to LA Staff Director on hiring for Leadership offices, as needed.
- Develop and maintain internal HDC process documents and guides.
- Special project coordination and collaboration, as needed.
Legislative Assistant Supervisor & Equity Team Liaison –Portfolio
- Internal Communication, Mentorship, & Equity Work
- Lead a small group of staff in facilitating the Open Pathways mentorship program.
- Serve on HDC staff equity team in the following capacities:
- Lead implementation of HDC LA staff equity initiatives with application of equity analysis to work.
- Partner with Equity and Social Justice Strategic Advisor to develop tools that track equity impacts of House/HDC policies, practices, and equity strategic plan outcomes on LA workgroup.
- Collaborate with Equity and Social Justice team counterparts to identify areas of improvement for advancing fairness and opportunity in HDC practices.
- Collaborate with internal HDC staff to identify and promote trainings on equity and social justice foundational practices and frameworks.
- Guide and support LA workgroup in efforts to achieve racial equity and sociocultural dignity among staff, upholding Caucus values as an anti-racist, multi-cultural, and accessible organization.
- Provide guidance and operational assistance to Equity and Social Justice Strategic Advisor in developing strategies to realize equity and social justice goals within the Caucus.
- Support and manage accountability systems and tools to ensure intended delivery and implementation of Caucus staff strategic equity initiatives.
The Successful Candidate Will Meet These Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree with focus on business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field AND three years of supervisory responsibility providing daily instruction, mentoring, performance feedback, hiring, etc. Additional years of applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for formal education requirement.
- Highly organized and able to perform detailed tasks accurately and efficiently under time constraints in a fast-paced environment.
- Able to prioritize a wide variety of short- and long-term tasks from multiple individuals.
- Strong writing, editing, and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated experience effectively communicating with internal staff at all levels and external entities, organizations, clients, or customers.
- Ability to work independently, exercise professional judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrated success in employee hiring process, supervision, and management of staff.
- Understanding and awareness of diversity and inclusion issues, with a commitment to applying best practices for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.
- Experience mediating disputes.
Desirable/Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the legislative process and an understanding of the unique needs and power dynamics of staffing elected officials.
- Experience working directly with or staffing elected officials in government offices.
Note: Diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role and will be considered. Candidates with any combination of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work will be considered.
Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions:
This position requires an onsite/in-person presence in Olympia during session and must be able to frequently work more than 40 hours per week including evenings, weekends, and holidays during legislative sessions. Interim schedules allow for more flexibility including in-state telework with an expectation to have an onsite in-person presence when requested.
Benefits:
Employee benefits include vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life, and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.
How to Apply:
Intrigued? If so, please submit the below items combined in one document:
(1) a letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications;
(2) a current resume describing in detail your experience and education; and
(3) a minimum of three professional references with contact information (e.g., address, e-mail address, and telephone).
Send application materials and direct any questions to: jobs.hdc@leg.wa.gov
The Washington State Legislature is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran, or military status, or using a trained service animal by a person with a disability. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including those listed above and those with other diverse life experiences. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact House HR Director at niki.pavlicek@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7030, or TTD 1-800-635-9993. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.