Hiring Legislative Aide, Massachusetts House of Representatives

[off...@repandyvargas.com]

Office of Rep. Andy X. Vargas

Job Opening: Legislative Aide

Applications due March 25. To apply, send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to: Andy....@mahouse.gov

 

About Representative Vargas: Rep. Vargas is a Haverhill native who was elected to the Haverhill City Council at 22 and the MA House at 24. He’s currently serving his second term representing the 3rd Essex District, which includes the innermost parts of the city of Haverhill. Rep. Vargas sits on the Ways and Means Committee, Education Committee, Public Health Committee, and Small Business and Community Development Committee. His priorities include civic engagement, gun violence prevention, public health, educational equity, inclusive entrepreneurship and supporting the economic growth of Gateway Cities.

 

Job description:

 

Legislative

• Research and draft legislation and amendments.

• Write committee testimony, letters of support or opposition.

• Research and write high level briefing packets and memos for the Representative and other legislators.

• Analyze the budget, file amendments, and track co-sponsorships.

• Attend briefings to learn more about bills and initiatives on behalf of the Representative.

• Track activities in the Representative’s committees and caucuses.

• Understand all legislation through the Representative’s lens and priorities, most importantly being able to identify key bills that the Representative is not yet briefed on.

 

Communications

• Write press releases and advisories on votes, bills, appearances, events, etc.

• Maintain relationships with local, state, and national press.

• Pitch stories, field inquiries, and message the Representative’s legislation, actions, and priorities.

• Create graphics and videos about the Representative’s bills and other legislation he supports.

• Create legislative PR packages and general messaging plans on each bill, taking local perspectives into account.

• Maintain website.

Constituent Services

• Act as an advocate on behalf of Haverhill constituents and connect them with best practices and resources.

• Interact directly with the Baker Administration offices to navigate through government on behalf of constituents.

• Establish and maintain constituent service databases, including tracking past and present constituent cases.

 

Administrative

• Maintain the Representative’s schedule.

• Manage internship program.

• Answer phones, track incoming correspondence, including physical mail.

• Act as outward face of the office to advocates, lobbyists, and constituents.

• Manage the Representative’s inbox and all incoming constituent correspondence/questions.

• Recognize constituent achievements or events in district via letters, citations, etc.

• Track and organize all briefing and background materials, uploading into a digital database.

 

Staffing

• Staff the Representative at events, speaking appearances, and briefings. Appear on behalf of the Representative, when he is not available.

• Attend and schedule office hours in the district.

 

Strategy and advising

• Establish best practices for a legislative office, including tracking all incoming and outgoing correspondence, legislation, etc.

• Establish goals and long-term strategy for the Representative, including tangible, step-by-step outcomes for specific bills and issue-areas.

• Maintain staff relationships with other legislative offices.

• Brief the Representative daily, including scheduling overviews, strategy check-ins, and legislative briefings.

 

Qualifications:

• The position requires a smart, efficient, creative type who works well under pressure, writes proficiently, manages many moving parts, and is outcome-driven.

• Ideal applicants will demonstrate passion for public policy and coalition building.  

• Ideal applicants will learn quickly, show initiative, be extremely detail oriented while also seeing the big picture.

• Applicants must demonstrate ability to manage relationships with stakeholders and constituents from all walks of life with the highest standards of professionalism.

• Applicants must have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Applicants are also expected to work semi-nontraditional hours, including evenings depending on the time of year, and potentially some weekends (though infrequent).

• Haverhill or Merrimack Valley ties a plus.

• Spanish fluency a plus.

Application process:

• Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references to andy....@mahouse.gov with the subject title “Legislative Aide Opening."

• Applications are due by March 25