2025 Session Hearing Room Specialists

WASHINGTON STATE SENATE

Senate Committee Services

Position for the 2025 Legislative Session: Hearing Room Specialists

DESCRIPTION

Customer service, teamwork, and nonpartisanship are core values for the Senate Committee Services (SCS) staff team. Our office provides nonpartisan support to the senators and committees of the Washington State Senate in Olympia, and we are currently seeking to fill several temporary administrative positions for the 2025 legislative session.

For more information on SCS, please visit our website at http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/Pages/default.aspx.

About Senate Committee Services

SCS is a nonpartisan workgroup assisting Senators in developing and evaluating policy and fiscal alternatives to achieve policy and budgetary objectives. This is accomplished by ensuring committee meetings and other legislative processes operate efficiently and effectively and are accessible to the public. The nonpartisan mission of SCS is achieved by providing the same high-quality service and level of effort for all Senators, regardless of political belief, affiliation, or rank.

Duties

A session hearing room specialist will:

• Demonstrate excellent customer service to Senators, staff, and the public.
• Schedule Zoom meetings for Senate committees, send and manage links in accordance with the Senate's policies.
• Update the meeting tracking application, communicating needs and progress with other workgroups.
• Provide logistical and administrative support during Zoom meetings.
• Assist in facilitating public testimony at committee hearings.
• Write and edit administrative correspondence clearly and concisely.
• Acquire and develop a basic understanding of the legislative process and procedures.
• Create and maintain official electronic committee files in accordance with the Senate's public record policy.

Requirements

SCS is looking for individuals who are motivated, engaging, and professional team players who can problem solve quickly in stressful situations. The following are skills, work ethics, and additional requirements necessary for the position:

Skills & Experience

• Experience with Zoom, as well as other video conferencing technology and platforms.
• Experience running audio/visual equipment is desired.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work efficiently within time constraints, often self-starting consistent tasks. Proficiency at multi-tasking is a must.
• Strong administrative, customer service, and communication skills.
• Ability to discern and maintain confidentiality and remain nonpartisan and professional.
• Organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows 11 and Outlook.
• Experience using Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner, and Microsoft OneNote is a plus.
• Ability to work well with others and maintain a positive, professional demeanor while working in a fast-paced, high-pressure legislative environment.

Work Ethics, Values & Professional Relationships

• A flexible attitude and willingness to help other team members or fill in for absences is a must.
• Work well under time constraints and meet deadlines as necessary and directed. Contribute to team efforts by sharing information and skills, and willingly take on new assignments to assist others.

• Exercise discretion, demonstrate nonpartisan values, and maintain confidentiality. Comply with established rules, procedures, and policies of the Senate. Maintain timely and consistent work attendance, demonstrate reliability by following through on assignments and communicating effectively with others, and present a professional personal appearance through attire and grooming.
• Develop positive work relationships that establish trust amongst colleagues, superiors, and members of the Legislature and the public. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in professional relationships. Show respect, patience, and empathy toward customers and peers.
• Ability to effectively interact with others who have diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, gender identities, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, and disability statuses to promote trust.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work the long, irregular hours, and some weekends that are common during a legislative session.
• Must be able to work in the office located in Olympia, maintaining public health and safety standards and directives, as needed.

Benefits

Salary and Duration

The salary for Session Hearing Room Specialists is expected to be $4,174 - $4,471 per month depending on experience and qualifications. These are temporary positions lasting approximately 15-17 weeks. Mandatory employment training will be scheduled for a few weeks prior to the start of the 2025 Legislative Session. The Legislature is currently scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025.

Application Procedure

These positions are open until filled. Sunday, October 20th is the priority deadline. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible as screening, interviewing, and selection will begin immediately. For general questions, regarding the review, interview and hiring process, please contact: Liza Weeks at liza.weeks@leg.wa.gov or leave a voicemail at (360) 786-7716.

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

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