Legislative Assistant to Senator Manka Dhingra - Washington State Senate

Exempt Recruitment Announcement

JOB TITLE:    Legislative Assistant to Senator Manka Dhingra

SALARY:      $4,817 to $8,348 monthly depending on qualifications

LOCATION:       Olympia, Washington

CLOSES:     October 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST. 

SENATE PROFILE

The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually in the Capitol Building in Olympia beginning on the second Monday in January. 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. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and its legislative members. The Senate strives to cultivate an inclusive working environment that supports diversity through equitable policies and practices. 

MEMBER PROFILE

Senator Manka Dhingra was elected to the Senate to represent the 45th Legislative District in November 2017.  She is currently the Deputy Majority Leader. She brings two decades of experience as a prosecutor and behavioral health expert to her role as chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee.  She also serves on the Health & Long-Term Care Committee and the Ways & Means Committee.

More information here: https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/dhingra/

POSITION PROFILE

Senator Dhingra’s legislative assistant (LA) is a highly organized self-starter who will provide the highest quality service for the people of the 45th Legislative District. The LA manages the operations of this leadership legislative office, including providing legislative and administrative support and supervising office staff.

POSITION DUTIES

•  Manage the daily operations of the office.

•  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.

•  In consultation with the Senator, recruit candidates for session staff positions.

•  Train and supervise session staff to ensure compliance with office procedures and Senate rules.

•  Delegate tasks associated with the Senator’s legislative priorities and goals to the session staff.

•  Oversee progression of bills and amendments through the legislative process.

•  Manage, submit, and track the Senator’s budget requests throughout the budget 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.

Requirements

Successful candidates will possess:

•  Highly motivated self-starter able to be self-directed, independent, and support Senator Dhingra in advancing her 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 her constituents

•  Strong customer service skills particularly when working with constituents, providing courteous and timely responses

•  Ability to maintain confidentiality

•  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 in the Washington State Legislature

•  Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the public records law and the legislative records retention schedule

•  Ability to exercise professional judgment and discretion

•  Have a passion for the legislative process, good government, and public service

•  Commitment to our shared community values, including social justice, equity, and prosperity for all

•  Exceptional writing ability, with the skill to communicate Senator Dhingra’s vision in a clear and compelling manner

•  The courage to question conventional wisdom and challenge the status quo when appropriate

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. When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work is supported, except when needed to be in-person for training or legislative meetings.

•  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.

Benefits

SALARY RANGE

RCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The salary and classification for this position is based on relevant experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $4,817 to $$8,348 monthly depending on qualifications. A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; ten paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions and savings bonds; and tuition reimbursement. 

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at Senate.HRO@leg.wa.gov.

The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.