Legislative Assistant to Senator Bob Hasegawa

EXEMPT RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE:  Legislative Assistant to Senator Bob Hasegawa

SALARY: $4,817- $8,849 monthly depending on qualifications

LOCATION: Olympia, Washington

CLOSES: August 18, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

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 Hasegawa has been serving the 11th Legislative District since 2005, first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate beginning in 2012. He is the Senate Majority Caucus Chair. His Senate Standing Committee assignments are: Rules; Ways & Means; State Government and Elections; and Business, Financial Services & Trade. 

Senator Hasegawa is also a member of several legislative committees: Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR); Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC); Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC); Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB); and Senate Democratic Caucus’ Delegate to the Pacific NW Economic Region (PNWER). 

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

POSITION PROFILE

The Legislative Assistant (LA) is a highly motivated self-starter that will help optimize the office of Senator Hasegawa in providing the highest quality service, representation, and leadership for the people of the 11th Legislative District and the Senate Democratic Caucus. The LA reports to the Executive Legislative Assistant (ELA) and Senator Hasegawa. 

POSITION DUTIES

• Assist in managing daily operations of the office of Senator Hasegawa. 

•  Facilitate communications to and from the office, such as with legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, local/federal governments, tribal nations, and constituents. 

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

•  Field inquiries from the public regarding legislation and the Senator’s stance on issues; exercise independent judgement to determine the appropriate course of action. 

•  Oversee the office budget, including making equipment purchases and submitting travel and reimbursement requests. 

•  Assist constituents in their interactions with state agencies. 

•  Meet with constituents, lobbyists, and other parties on behalf of the Senator. 

•  Collaborate with caucus communications staff on developing media releases, mailings, Senator Hasegawa’s website, and district-specific media strategies. 

•  Organize in-person and virtual events, such as town-hall. 

•  Track district-specific issues and concerns; brief the team on trends. 

•  Maintain records and conduct records searches for public record requests. 

Requirements

Successful candidates are/will possess:

•  A passion for public service and commitment to responsive constituent services

•  Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

•  Ability to maintain productive working relationships with Senators, staff, lobbyists/ advocates, and constituents. 

•  Well-developed project management and event coordination skills. 

•  Ability to operate legislative computer programs and video conferencing software. 

•  Understanding of the Washington State legislative process. 

•  Flexibility and resourcefulness under pressure. 

•  The initiative to support team members to achieve collective objectives

•  Ability to exercise professional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality. 

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

•  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 trainings or 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 - $8,849 monthly. 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.