Legislative Aide

Full Job Description

Are you excited to bring your creativity, energy, and heart to public service?

A progressive member of the Snohomish County Council (District 2) is seeking a dynamic Legislative Aide who thrives in fast-paced environments and believes in the power of community engagement.

This role offers a chance to make a real impact while being part of a team that embraces positivity, collaboration, and a forward-thinking vision for our county.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, professionalism, and discretion are essential to success in this position. Successful candidates enjoy connecting with people, organizing meaningful work, helping turn values into action and have:

• Strong communication skills including creation of engaging public-facing content and conducting constituent interactions reflecting the Councilmember’s tone, style and policy positions;
• A general understanding of municipal government and how the different branches of government interact;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to proactively manage and make recommendations around the Councilmember’s calendar and community engagement commitments, complete travel arrangements and other administrative duties the promote the efficient day-to-day operations of the office;
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced public office;
• Experience developing local government policy and the ability to act as a sounding board for the Councilmember;

To learn more about your background and experience related to the position, please submit a cover letter that uses specific examples to describe your professional experience in the following key areas:
1) Interacting with constituents, community members, or external stakeholders on behalf of an organization or leader;
2) Managing complex calendaring and scheduling requests;
3) Situations where you effectively deployed discretion and used sound judgement in managing confidential matters.

Requirements

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Acts as liaison between council members and constituents; keeps informed of Council activities and agendas; answers inquiries and provides information on such matters as traffic safety, zon­ing and rates of development; gathers information from county sources and responds as directed; arranges meetings between con­stituents and council members as required. 
2. Acts as representative of council member on boards, committees and before citizens groups as assigned; works with employees in county departments as required.
3. Collects and analyzes background data on pending legislative matters as requested; prepares reports, charts, graphs and spread sheets as necessary.
4. Attends Council meetings and/or hearings taking notes and ex­pressing observations to council member as appropriate; coordi­nates arrangements for meeting facilities, equipment and refreshments as appropriate.
5. Coordinates the preparation and distribution of press releases, newsletters and other community relations materials. Maintains district news story files; assists in the preparation and dis­semination of news digests to Council members; composes and for­mats letters and memos. 
6. Schedules appointments and meetings for the council member; main­tains appointment calendar; prepares agendas; takes, prepares and distributes minutes.
7. Makes travel arrangements for council member; maintains confiden­tial and personal files.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs special projects as assigned by the Council Administra­tor; serves on ad hoc committees as assigned.
2. Maintains necessary records and prepares required reports. 
3. Performs related duties as required.
   
   

Qualifications

Two (2) years of personal, confidential or executive secretar­ial experience; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Must pass job related tests.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• office procedures and practices; 
• proper English, spelling, grammar, punctuation and word usage; 
• basic bookkeeping and/or record keeping procedures.

Ability to:

• make decisions under pressure; 
• type accurately; 
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, peers and the general public; 
• maintain necessary records and prepare required reports; 
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing; 
• meet deadlines and cope with interruptions; 
• operate standard office machines and equipment; 
• exercise good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to higher authority; 
• analyze and resolve work related problems; 
• speak effectively before groups.

SUPERVISION
Employee receives limited supervision from a council member and/or administrative superior as assigned. The supervisor establishes objectives, priorities and deadlines. The employee plans and carries out successive steps and resolves problems in accordance with instructions, policies and accepted practices, informing super­visor of progress and of potentially controversial matters.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The majority of the work is performed in the usual office envi­ronment with field trips as necessary to attend meetings and events. The employee may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary.