Position Descriptions

The Employment Office developed this resource for job seekers to learn about the different types of positions and potential pathways for progression in Senate personal and committee offices. Because each Senate office determines its own hiring policies and structure, position titles and requisite experience may vary.
 
You may also review the Congressional Research Service’s reports on Congressional Staff Duties, Qualifications, and Skills; Senate Staff Levels in personal, committee, Leadership, and Other Offices; and Staff Pay.
Chart showing different positions in the Senate based on experience level.

PERSONAL OFFICES

Staff positions primarily fall within one of four areas of operations: administrative, legislative, communications, and constituent services. Positions are listed below from entry-level to professional staff.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Staff level: Entry
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 0-2 years of professional experience
Responsibilities:
  • Maintains front office operations, including answering telephones and responding to voicemails, greeting visitors, assisting with the internship program, and completing other administrative tasks as required.
  • Schedules Washington, DC tours for constituents; leads and trains interns to provide tours of the U.S. Capitol building; maintains literature for visitors, including tour information, maps, and Senate gallery passes.
  • Handles constituents’ service requests including processing requests for U.S. and state flags; drafting congratulatory or commemorative letters; and general requests for government publications, bills, and speeches.
  • Supports the office’s mailroom operation; ensures that all incoming postal and electronic mail is appropriately processed, screened, and routed to appropriate staff; enters constituent mail into the office’s correspondence management system.
  • Serves as the senator’s driver, responsible for taking the senator to events and meetings in Washington, DC and staffing the senator at various on and off-campus events and official duties. The Driver must have a valid driver’s license and may be required to work extended and unscheduled hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Potential pathways: Deputy Scheduler/Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Executive Assistant, Press Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Correspondence Manager
Staff level: Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • At least 1-2 years of administrative experience
Responsibilities:
  • Plans and maintains the Chief of Staff’s daily schedule and makes travel arrangements.
  • Assists the Scheduler by organizing and responding to incoming scheduling requests and invitations; assembles the senator’s briefing materials; maintains the senator’s correspondence and records.
  • Performs a wide variety of executive administrative duties, including screening incoming telephone calls and coordinating conference calls, processing expense reports, and other special projects as assigned.
  • Must exercise discretion and maintain the confidentiality of information; may be required to work extended and unscheduled hours.
Potential pathways: Executive Assistant, Scheduler
Staff level: Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 2 years of professional experience
  • Prior correspondence experience
Responsibilities:
  • Sorts and distributes incoming communications; ensures that all incoming postal and electronic mail is appropriately processed, screened, and routed to appropriate staff; enters constituent mail into the office’s correspondence management system.
  • Works closely with legislative staff to facilitate the outgoing mail process by monitoring the office’s letter approval process, managing mass mailing projects, and expediting timely responses.
  • Manages letter sign-off for both constituent mail and executive correspondence.
  • Prepares weekly reports on mail volume, turn-around time, and other metrics.
  • Maintains archive of constituent mail, works with vendors to troubleshoot database problems.
  • Drafts congratulatory notes on behalf of the senator, and assists with special projects.
Potential pathways: Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Aide, Research Assistant
Staff level: Mid/Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree
  • At least 2 years of systems administration experience
  • Familiarity with Senate information technology (IT) procedures and policies
  • Ability to obtain a security clearance
Responsibilities:
  • Assists the senator and staff with troubleshooting technology issues by providing training and support related to IT systems, portable electronic devices, and IT security.
  • Updates and maintains the office’s IT systems in the Washington, DC and state offices; maintains the Active Directory and other user accounts.
  • Manages the office’s equipment inventory database; researches and recommends IT hardware, software, and communications equipment for procurement.
  • Develops and maintains information management for the office, including methods to process, manage, archive, and store all electronic data.
  • Assists the Administrative Director in the development and management of the IT budget.
  • Ensures system security and staff compliance with Senate cybersecurity requirements and serves as a representative for Senate support organizations on information technology issues.
Staff level: Mid/Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree
  • At least 2 years of administrative experience
Responsibilities:
  • Attends to the senator’s daily administrative needs and coordinates the senator’s calendar and appointments with the Scheduler.
  • Greets scheduled visitors and escorts them to the senator’s office.
  • Maintains historical recordation of meetings, appointments, and travel.
  • Coordinates with the Scheduler and Administrative Director on reimbursable expenses related to the senator’s personal accounts.
  • Reviews and responds to the senator’s personal incoming and outgoing correspondence.
  • Ensures that official documents received by the senator are disseminated to appropriate staff for review.
  • Must exercise discretion and maintain the confidentiality of information; may be required to work extended and unscheduled hours.
Potential pathways: Scheduler, Administrative Director
Staff level: Professional

Preferred experience:
  • 3+ years of archival experience, or specialized training at an archival institute
  • Experience working with Congressional collections, on the Hill, or with the political process
Responsibilities:
  • Oversees office records management, policies, and procedures, including appraising, arranging, and processing analog and electronic records stored in the senator’s Washington, DC and state offices, and the Washington National Records Center.
  • Works closely with staff to build a comprehensive records archive including, but not limited to votes, legislation, amendments, letters, meetings, and speeches.
  • Sorts, catalogues, preserves, and manages a large collection of paper and electronic records, digital media, awards, memorabilia, and special media, among other records of historical prominence for transmittal.
  • Recommends improvements in technology and software to preserve and organize born digital records; and other duties as appropriate.
Staff level: Professional, typically a member of senior staff

Preferred experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • At least 2-5 years of scheduling or administrative experience, preferably on the Hill
Responsibilities:
  • Maintains the senator’s daily and long-term schedule in Washington, DC, including scheduling appointments, meetings, events, call logs, and general demands for the senator’s time.
  • Handles the senator’s travel arrangements, including reservations and ticketing.
  • Oversees the process for organizing and vetting incoming meeting requests and invitations; reviews invitations and prepares responses.
  • Liaises with other senators, spouses, the White House, agency officials, foreign dignitaries, constituents, lobbyists, the public and office staff.
  • Must exercise discretion and maintain the confidentiality of information; may be required to work extended and unscheduled hours.
Potential pathway: Administrative Director
Staff level: Professional, typically a member of senior staff
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Managerial and budgeting experience
  • Knowledge of Senate rules and procedures
Responsibilities:
  • Implements the office’s administrative policies and operating procedures; maintains office policy manual and staff leave records.
  • Ensures that the office is in accordance with U.S. Senate rules and procedures; liaises with the Senate Legal Counsel, Committee on Rules and Administration, and Ethics Committee.
  • Hires and terminates staff upon approval from the Chief of Staff or senator; orients and trains new staff; maintains personnel files on permanent staff, interns, fellows, and job applicants; supervises administrative staff.
  • Forecasts, prepares, and oversees the office’s administrative budget; interfaces with the Senate Disbursing Office regarding payroll and office accounts; maintains payroll files.
  • Maintains the personal office suite; submits requests for maintenance, furnishing, office relocations; orders and maintains inventory of supplies and office equipment.
  • Serves as office emergency coordinator and ensures proper education and training in evacuation procedures, inventory of relevant equipment and supplies, and overall continuity of operations.
  • Manages the recruitment and supervision of office interns; coordinates the Senate Page Program.
Similar position: Committee Chief Clerk
Staff level: Professional, a member of Senior Staff
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Significant managerial experience and experience on the Hill and/or the administration
  • Advanced knowledge of the Senate legislative process, rules, and procedures
Responsibilities:
  • Oversees the office’s budget, personnel decisions, and operating policies and procedures for the Washington, DC and state offices; ensures that the office’s policies are in accordance with U.S. Senate rules and regulations.
  • Represents the senator at meetings, events, functions.
  • Monitors important issues, particularly of a legislative nature, for accurate representation of the senator’s positions.
  • Schedules and coordinates town hall meetings in state with appropriate staff.
  • Assists constituents with unique and special needs.
  • Travels with the Senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Similar position: Staff Director

LEGISLATIVE

Staff level: Entry/Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • 0-2+ years of professional experience
Responsibilities:
  • Sorts incoming constituent correspondence in the office’s constituent relations management (CRM) system.
  • Conducts research and drafts form letters to respond to general correspondence.
  • Drafts individualized responses to letters that cannot be answered with a standard reply.
  • Supports senior legislative staff with research, tracking legislation, hearing preparation, and other responsibilities as needed.
  • Meets with constituent groups about issues of interest and concern.
Potential pathways: Correspondence Manager, Research Assistant, Legislative Aide, House Legislative Aide/Assistant
Staff level: Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Minimum of 2-4+ years of related policy experience
  • Knowledge of the Senate legislative process
Responsibilities:
  • Conducts research and drafts form letters to respond to general constituent correspondence; drafts individualized responses to letters that cannot be answered with a standard reply.
  • Manages a smaller policy portfolio; monitors developments within assigned portfolio, committees, and on the Senate floor.
  • Forms and advances legislative proposals; drafts, analyzes, and tracks amendments and legislation on the Senate and House floors; develops recommendations for votes and co-sponsorship of bills.
  • Prepares the senator for hearings and meetings by writing background reports and memoranda, briefing them on current issues or legislation, and staffing them at committee hearings and executive sessions.
  • Writes talking points, floor statements, and remarks.
  • Represents the senator in meetings with constituents, external stakeholders in the private and public sector, and relevant congressional staff; liaises with committee and agency staff.
  • Travels with the senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Potential pathway: Legislative Assistant
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Minimum of 3-5+ years of related policy experience
  • Knowledge of the Senate legislative process
Responsibilities:
  • Monitors developments within assigned policy portfolio, committees, and on the Senate floor.
  • Forms and advances legislative proposals; drafts, analyzes, and tracks amendments and legislation on the Senate and House floors; develops recommendations for votes and co-sponsorship of bills.
  • Prepares the senator for hearings and meetings by writing background reports and memoranda, briefing them on current issues or legislation, and staffing them at committee hearings and executive sessions.
  • Writes talking points, floor statements, and remarks.
  • Proposes and executes oversight projects.
  • Reviews and approves legislative correspondence.
  • Represents the senator in meetings with constituents, external stakeholders in the private and public sector, and relevant congressional staff; liaises with committee and agency staff.
  • Travels with the senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Potential pathways: Policy Advisor, Counsel, Professional Staff Member
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s, Juris Doctorate, or advanced degree
  • At least 5-10 years of related policy experience
  • Knowledge of the Senate legislative process
  • Prior Hill or administration experience
Responsibilities:
  • Monitors developments within assigned policy portfolio, committees, and on the Senate floor.
  • Forms and advances legislative proposals; drafts, analyzes, and tracks amendments and legislation on the Senate and House floors; develops recommendations for votes and co-sponsorship of bills.
  • Prepares the senator for hearings and meetings by writing background reports and memoranda, briefing them on current issues or legislation, and staffing them at committee hearings and executive sessions.
  • Writes talking points, floor statements, and remarks.
  • Proposes and executes oversight projects.
  • Reviews and approves legislative correspondence.
  • Represents the senator in meetings with constituents, external stakeholders in the private and public sector, and relevant congressional staff; liaises with committee and agency staff.
  • Travels with the senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Similar position: Professional Staff Member, Legislative Director
Staff level: Professional, typically a member of senior staff

Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Substantial experience on the Hill and/or the administration
  • Advanced knowledge of the Senate legislative process
Responsibilities:
  • Develops and executes the legislative program for the senator; creates and implements long- and short-term legislative priorities; sets goals and objectives for legislative staff.
  • Manages and directs legislative staff; reviews all work products.
  • Monitors Senate floor activities and legislative developments; oversees development of vote recommendations.
  • Maintains senator’s legislative records including copies of all votes, floor statements, speeches, written articles, bills and amendments the senator sponsors or co-sponsors, legislative projects, and committee materials.
  • Screens “Dear Colleague” letters and recommends potential co-sponsorship of legislation to the senator.
  • Coordinates briefings with the senator regarding current legislation or policy developments.
  • Represents the senator in meetings with constituents, key external stakeholders in the private and public sector, and relevant congressional staff.
  • Accompanies the senator to the Senate floor as required.
  • Travels with the senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Similar position: Staff Director

COMMUNICATIONS

Staff level: Entry
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Communications or a related field of study
  • 1-2 years of experience in social media or a related field
  • Prior internship or work experience on the Hill or on a political campaign
  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite programs, graphic design, photography, and video production equipment and technology, etc.
Responsibilities:
  • Manages production of daily press clips, maintains media contact lists, and fields press calls.
  • Helps draft and edit press releases, talking points, newsletters, advisories, video scripts, and digital content.
  • Assists with executing the digital media strategy; updates the senator’s website and social media sites; designs and executes digital media campaigns.
  • Captures and edits photos, videos, and audio files; designs graphics for online media; edits and distributes digital content.
  • Assists with planning and executing press events.
Potential pathways: Digital Director, Deputy Press Secretary
Staff level: Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Communications or a related field of study
  • At least 2 years of experience in social media or a related field
  • Prior internship or work experience on the Hill or on a political campaign
  • Experience with Adobe Creative Suite programs, graphic design, photography, and video production equipment and technology, etc.
Responsibilities:
  • Pitches media events, helps draft and edit press releases, talking points, newsletters, advisories, video scripts, and digital content.
  • Develops the social media outreach strategy and designs and executes digital media campaigns.
  • Updates the senator’s website and social media sites.
  • Analyzes web statistics and social media analytics to evolve the office’s digital efforts.
  • Captures and edits photos, videos, and audio files; designs graphics for online media; edits and distributes digital content.
  • Assists with planning and executing press events.
Potential pathways: Deputy Press Secretary, Speechwriter
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Communications or a related field of study
  • 3-5 years of experience in communications or public relations
  • Prior experience on the Hill, in the administration, or on a political campaign
  • Experience speaking on the record with state and national press
Responsibilities:
  • Serves as an on-the-record spokesperson for the senator; oversees interview requests and briefings; fields and responds to media inquiries.
  • Manages media outreach efforts and short- and long-term communications projects; plans and coordinates media coverage, press conferences, state press events, and requests for appearances and interviews with the senator.
  • Writes and edits speeches, op-ed pieces, press releases, media advisories, newsletters, floor statements, quotes, and talking points.
  • Develops video scripts; tapes, edits, and coordinates television satellite feeds.
  • Organizes and staffs press events; develops and maintains relationships with reporters, editors, and producers; works closely with other members of the communications and legislative teams to pitch stories.
  • Supervises and coordinates activities of the Deputy Press Secretary, Press Assistant, and Press Interns.
  • Updates biographical and photographic materials of the senator.
  • Establishes and maintains a historical archive of press generated materials.
Potential pathway: Communications Director
Staff level: Professional, typically a member of senior staff
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Communications or a related field of study
  • 6-10 years of experience in communications or public relations
  • Prior experience on the Hill, in the administration, or on a political campaign
  • Experience speaking on the record with state and national press
Responsibilities:
  • Serves as an on-the-record spokesperson for the senator; develops and oversees all communications for the senator’s office and manages the communications team.
  • Develops and executes all aspects of a comprehensive, long-term communications plan, utilizing print, digital, and social media.
  • Advises the senator on communications and messaging strategy to convey the senator’s priorities and achievements in state and national media.
  • Writes and edits speeches, op-eds, and news releases; plans and implements national and local media strategies that reflects the office’s legislative priorities.
  • Prepares and staffs the senator for interviews, press conferences and events, pitches stories and places columns; leverages social media platforms for maximum press exposure.
  • Maintains strong relationships with state and national press corps.
  • Travels with the senator regionally and internationally as necessary.
Similar position: Committee Communications Director

STATE OFFICE

Every senator has one or more state or regional office locations. Stateside staff provide constituents with federal agency assistance and develop relationships with local elected officials and community leaders on the senator’s behalf. Some positions may require traveling to communities throughout the state and work may be required outside of regular office hours when the senator is working from the state. Offices typically prefer candidates with strong ties or familiarity to the state or region.
Staff level: Entry
Preferred experience:
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree
  • 0-2 years of professional experience
Responsibilities:
  • Maintains front office operations, including answering telephones and responding to voicemails, greeting visitors, assisting with the internship program, and completing other administrative tasks as required.
  • Handles constituent service requests including processing casework and drafting congratulatory or commemorative letters.
  • Supports the office’s mailroom operation; ensures that all incoming postal and electronic mail is appropriately processed, screened, and routed to appropriate staff; enters constituent mail into the office’s correspondence management system.
Potential pathways: State Office: State Scheduler, Caseworker; Washington, DC: Deputy Scheduler/Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Executive Assistant, Press Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Correspondence Manager
Staff level: Mid/Professional

Preferred experience:
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum of 2-5 years of Scheduling and/or Executive Assistant experience in direct support of a principal
Responsibilities:
  • Maintains close communication with the DC Scheduler; manages the senator’s in-state schedule; ensures proper advance for the senator’s travel, appearances, and meetings; and communicates information regarding the senator’s in-state schedule to staff.
  • Receives, evaluates, organizes, and tracks all incoming in-state meeting and event requests.
  • Assists in the strategic planning of the senator’s state work period appearances and events.
  • Coordinates constituent meetings and special events, town hall meetings, award ceremonies, and educational summits and forums.
  • Drafts personal correspondence, and serves as an assistant to the State Director.
Potential pathways: State Office: Caseworker, Regional Representative, Community Liaison; Washington, DC: Executive Assistant, Scheduler
Staff level: Mid/Professional

Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Previous experience working in a government office
  • Foreign language fluency, specific to the region
Responsibilities:
  • Submits inquiries to federal agencies on behalf of constituents to resolve problems with the Federal government (i.e., Veterans, Social Security, IRS, etc.).
  • Responds to casework correspondence, meets with local constituents, and maintains log of cases handled by the office.
  • Monitors casework for problems that might be resolved by legislative action.
  • Develops and maintains relationships on behalf of the senator with local elected officials, government agencies, local businesses, community organizations, and constituents in assigned geographic/policy area(s) within the state.
  • Represents the senator at civic meetings, hearings, and community events to monitor developments, opinions and concerns.
  • Remains current on legislative and non-legislative issues affecting constituents in the region; updates the senator and relevant policy staff on local developments in assigned region/portfolio.
  • Assists with strategic planning of the senator’s state work period appearances and events; provides feedback on opportunities for the senator to connect with constituents; plans and coordinates outreach events; and assists with other projects as required.
  • Supervises selection of candidates for U.S. military academies.
Potential pathway: Washington, DC: Legislative Aide/Assistant
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Previous advocacy, legal, or social work experience or training
  • Significant professional and management experience
Responsibilities:
  • Coordinates with the Administrative Director on office personnel files and leave records, expense vouchers for state office staff, and supply and equipment requests.
  • Supervises caseworkers; coordinates casework to ensure that duplicative efforts are prevented; ensures that casework is performed in a timely fashion; advises the senator, Chief of Staff, and State Director of specific cases requiring their personal involvement.
  • Assists the State Scheduler with the senator’s state office visits.
  • Approves all mail transmitted from the state office.
  • Serves as the office emergency coordinator and ensures proper education and training in evacuation procedures, inventory of emergency equipment and supplies, and overall continuity of operations.
  • Manages the intern program for the state offices.
Staff level: Professional, typically a member of senior staff
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Significant professional and management experience
  • Experience in advocacy, community organizing, external relations or political campaigns in the state
Responsibilities:
  • Represents the senator in all areas of the state, including meeting and maintaining professional relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials and agencies; staff from congressional delegation offices; community business leaders; and constituents.
  • Directs state office staff including supervision, assignments, and workflow; implements office policies and procedures for state office operations; oversees recruiting, hiring, and training new employees; schedules and chairs state office staff meetings.
  • Accompanies the senator on visits throughout the state; delivers speeches at events in-state when the senator cannot be present.
  • Performs special projects assigned by the senator.

COMMITTEES

The Senate has 24 committees, including 16 standing committees, four special or select committees, and four joint committees.
 
Most administrative committee positions are non-designated, serving both the Majority and Minority staff equally. Meanwhile, policy and communications positions will likely be under the direction of the Chair or the Ranking Member.
Staff level: Entry
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 0-2 years of professional experience
Responsibilities:
  • Provides administrative support to committee staff by answering phones, greeting and screening office visitors, and ensuring that requests for assistance are efficiently processed.
  • Maintains committee records and files of hearings, and studies and reports; obtains documents requested by staff; makes official deliveries to other committees, Senate, and House offices.
  • Logs official correspondence; collects, sorts and distributes mail; monitors delivery and pick-up of materials.
  • Supports the set-up, execution and management of committee hearings, mark-ups, business meetings and committee projects.
  • Proofreads and edits hearing transcripts.
Potential pathways: Hearing Clerk, Research Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Press Assistant
Staff level: Mid/Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree
  • At least 2 years of administrative experience
Responsibilities:
  • Assists the Staff Director by providing administrative support for meetings, hearings, markups, floor debate, and conference sessions.
  • Creates and maintains spreadsheets on bill language differences in conference with the House; schedules and announces conference-related meetings with the House; maintains central committee correspondence files, and log of Members’ interest letters.
  • Provides support for scheduling, travel, events, correspondence, office visitors, and phone calls.
  • Serves as a liaison with the personal offices of the Chair or Ranking Member.
Potential pathways: Scheduler, Hearing Clerk
Staff level: Mid/Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Experience on the Hill or equivalent administrative experience
Responsibilities:
  • Manages logistics for committee events including congressional hearings, field hearings, and business meetings; notifies appropriate staff and witnesses about upcoming hearings and/or business meetings; sets up the hearing room; conducts technical equipment testing and set-up.
  • Organizes committee documents and edits transcripts; maintains copies of all bills referred to the committee; receives and distributes all amendments prior to business meetings; reads and records roll call for any bill or amendment requiring recorded vote.
  • Maintains the committee’s website.
  • Supports the non-designated team with various responsibilities.
Staff level: Mid
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • 1-2+ years of related policy experience
Responsibilities:
  • Supports professional staff in conducting oversight and legislative activities within the committee’s jurisdiction/assigned legislative issue areas.
  • Performs background research and develops expertise in assigned issues.
  • Drafts oversight letters and responds to constituent requests and concerns related to assigned issues.
  • Assists with drafting legislation and amendments.
  • Assists with hearing preparation, including preparing witness lists and briefing materials; contacting and assisting witnesses; compiling background information and materials and distributing and monitoring hearing testimony.
  • Assists with drafting reports, statements, memoranda and research papers on various issues.
Potential pathways: Legislative Assistant, Professional Staff Member
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Graduate degree in Archival/Library Science, Museum Studies, American History, or specialized training at an archival institute
  • 3+ years of archival experience
  • Experience working with Congressional collections, on the Hill, or with the political process
Responsibilities:
  • Appraises, arranges, and processes analog and electronic records, including preparing materials for transfer to the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives.
  • Maintains and enforces the records retention policy, training staff in their records retention and personal archiving responsibilities, and recommending and implementing improvements as needed.
  • Works with the Senate Historical Office to capture additional committee records, particularly digital assets and social media.
  • Researches and suggests improvements in technology and software to preserve and organize born digital records.
  • Assists committee staff with research requests regarding committee records and history.
  • Maintains privacy and restrictions on access of committee records.
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s, Juris Doctorate, or advanced degree
  • 3-5+ years of related policy experience
  • Prior Hill or administration experience in a relevant agency
  • Knowledge of the Senate legislative process
Responsibilities:
  • Assists with the development of legislative and oversight initiatives, including policy positions and legislative priorities for the Chair/Ranking Member; conducts investigations and oversight of issues and nominations under the committee’s jurisdiction.
  • Plans and organizes committee hearings including identifying witnesses, developing briefing materials, drafting questions, preparing statements, talking points, and rebuttals for the Chair/Ranking Member, and ensuring that relevant materials are submitted for the hearing record.
  • Monitors Senate and House floor activity related to assigned portfolio.
  • Maintains working knowledge of legislation pending in committee; drafts bills and amendments related to assigned issues, analyzes legislation, monitors developments, and makes recommendations regarding bills and amendments.
  • Drafts reports, statements, memoranda and position papers on legislative issues; reviews legal memoranda for submission to the Staff Director and committee members.
  • Serves as a liaison with Committee Member offices, federal government officials, other Senate and House committees, outside interest and advocacy groups, and constituent groups, on matters related to assigned policy areas.
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s, Juris Doctorate, or advanced degree
  • 8-10 years of policy and management experience, particularly experience on a Congressional committee or as a senior-level manager
  • Knowledge of the policy issues and programs administered by the committee
  • Experience conducting investigations or oversight
  • Advanced knowledge of the Senate legislative process
Responsibilities:
  • Assists the Chair/Ranking Member with developing and implementing policy initiatives, oversight priorities, and operating plans for the committee.
  • Supervises Majority/Minority staff and possesses responsibility for hiring, promotion, disciplinary, and termination decisions.
  • Manages day-to-day legislative activities of the committee including hearings and reports, and negotiations with Majority/Minority staff; approves strategy and tactics on bills and amendments under committee jurisdiction from professional staff members and counsel.
  • Advises Chair/Ranking Member on legislative matters and pending nominations, and makes recommendations regarding potential investigations, hearings, and other oversight issues.
  • Serves as principal liaison to committee members, other Senate and House committee staff, government agencies and other organizations.
Similar position: Legislative Director, Chief of Staff
Staff level: Professional
Preferred experience:
  • Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience
  • Senate administrative or management experience strongly preferred
Responsibilities:
  • Oversees various administrative, budgetary, and operational functions of the committee in coordination with the Majority/Minority Staff Directors.
  • Develops and implements the committee’s budget, including payroll, benefits and contracts; prepares reports related to the budget and other administrative matters; maintains committee records and financial data; serves as a liaison between the Majority/Minority staff of the committee and Senate support organizations.
  • Assists with the organization and administration of committee hearings and markups, including the scheduling of witnesses, production of committee reports, and coordination with the Government Publishing Office (GPO).
  • Supervises non-designated committee support staff; orients new staff to Senate rules and ethics, policies, and procedures, and monitors employee compliance; coordinates annual and sick leave schedules, and maintains personnel files.
  • Responsible for the committee office suite; submits requests for maintenance, furnishing, office relocations.
  • Serves as committee office emergency coordinator and ensures proper education and training in evacuation procedures, inventory of relevant equipment and supplies, and overall continuity of operations.
  • This position is non-designated, serving both the Majority and Minority staff equally.