Job Title: Legislative Coordinator (Administrative Assistant 3)
Opening Date/Time: Fri. 09/08/17 12:00 AM Pacific Time
Closing Date/Time: Sun. 09/17/17 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $2,778.00 – $3,612.00 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

 

 

LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT
(ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 3)
Full-time, permanent
 
 
Do you have experience working within the Washington State legislative process? Are you passionate about protecting our natural resources? Do you have the ability to interact and develop positive working relationships with policy players? This position may be for you! 
 
WDFW’s Legislative Affairs Special Assistant to the Director is seeking an energetic, highly motivated and well-organized Legislative Assistant. This is an outstanding opportunity to gain valuable experience in a policy career and an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in fish and wildlife policy.
 
THE DEPARTMENT
WDFW is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors. Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees–field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, customer service representatives and others–manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species, maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife resources. Learn more about us at www.wdfw.wa.gov.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive
This recruitment is to fill one (1) full-time permanent position within the Director’s Office, Legislative Affairs Division, located at the Natural Resources Building, Olympia, Thurston County, WA.
JOB SUMMARY
Under general supervision, the Legislative Assistant monitors legislative activity in the assigned area of focus. The incumbent researches proposed legislation and provides administrative support. Duties include tracking the progress of proposed and pending legislation and briefing the legislator and staff. The Legislative Assistant serves as a liaison and coordinator between Legislative Affairs and legislative leads, programs and policy staff regarding the legislative process, sponsored legislation, legislative hearings, bill analysis, bill status, and tracking reports. The Legislative Assistant reports to the Special Assistant Legislative Affairs.
 Duties:
Coordination of Legislative Correspondence and Communication:
  • Manages appointments with legislative offices, Governor’s Office, OFM and stakeholders regarding agency legislative priorities.
  • Represents and/or communicates on the behalf of Legislative Director during internal legislative meetings.
  • Reviews documents, reports, and legislative assignments to ensure consistency and accuracy within Departmental policy, WACs, and RCWs.
  • Assigns, tracks, prioritizes and reviews correspondence from Legislators and Governor’s Office and monitors status of response; may exercise signature authority on legislative correspondence.
  • Coordinates committee testimony and prepares materials and presentations for committee meetings.
  • Provides training to executive management, department heads, and staff regarding interpretation and clarification of legislative policies and procedures and legislative protocols within the agency.
  • Develops itineraries and coordinates legislative tours.
Office Administration:
  • Provides office management and administrative support to the Government Affairs Unit and the Directors Office.
  • Schedules and books travel for the Legislative Director.
  • Maintains Government Affairs internet and intranet pages.
  • Responsible for office space management as well as equipment and technology purchases and services.
Reports and Records Management/Project Management:
  • Retrieves and reviews records stored in the records management system (RMS) to respond to public disclosure requests for the Government Affairs Unit.
  • Prepares and submits agency-wide quarterly and annual lobby reports to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.
  • Tracks legislative reporting deadlines to ensure that the Department meets them.
  • Serves as the administrator of the Bill Analysis Tracking System. Duties include: staying up-to date on the Bill Analysis Tracking System, providing agency-wide training on the BATS (including EMT, Division Managers, Senior Staff and program staff) and responding to questions about the system.
  • Reviews daily bill introductions and assigns bill analyses to appropriate program staff.
  • Tracks advancement of agency-request legislation and other priority bills through the legislative process including monitoring of committee hearings and scheduling, assigning testimony, and tracking legislative implementation plans.
  • Tracks bill analysis assignments and Governor’s office Enrolled Bill Analysis to ensure timely delivery.

Coordination of the agency’s Legislative Coordination Team:

  • Sets agenda and facilitates the Legislative Coordination Team meetings.
  • Organizes program Legislative Coordinators to ensure efficient workflow during the legislative session.
  • Prepares weekly hearing schedules on behalf of the Legislative Assistant and present at weekly Legislative Coordinators Meeting.

Coordination of Agency Legislative Development Process:

  • Develops and maintains timeline, proposal forms and guidance documents for the development of agency legislation.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working environment is a busy office setting. Varying degrees of activity occur in the common areas during working hours; most tasks will involve sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Incumbent must be able to work amid distraction.
This position normally works 8:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday-Friday, but may be required to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week or on weekends to meet deadlines during peak periods.
 Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree plus two years of progressively responsible experience in an office administration role. OR
    Bachelor’s degree plus one (1) year of experience as a Legislative Assistant or Legislative Aide (state and/or federal).
  • One (1) year of experience working with the Washington State Legislature
Knowledge of: State government organization and administrative procedures; federal and local government functions; research methods and data collection; basic administrative procedures; office practices; correspondence preparation; State and departmental policies; management procedures and practices; legislative process.
Ability to: manage workloads, research and gather information; coordinate, organize, and plan; use a personal computer; write clearly and effectively; develop training manuals and materials; develop electronic databases using Microsoft Access; multitask efficiently under stressful situations; work effectively with others; exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions; analyze administrative problems and make appropriate recommendations; research and analyze constituent issues.
 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
  • A Bachelor’s degree with major study in business administration, public administration, political science or related field.
  • Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in office/clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative work.
 Supplemental Information:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following in order to your profile before completing the online application:
  • A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letters will not be accepted).
  • A current resume (please make it succinct).
  • Three (3) professional references (personal references do not count as professional references).
Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above.
Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will result in disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.