Seeking a Legislative Director for a State Delegate (Annapolis, Maryland)

[Julie Palakovich Carr]

Seeking an intelligent policy wonk with good people skills and a progressive ideology to serve as Legislative Director for an active state Delegate. As the Delegate’s only year-round staff person, this position performs a wide variety of duties, including complex and time sensitive roles, as well as mundane, but necessary activities.

Job description: The Legislative Director oversees the operation and administration of the Delegate’s office; manages and organizes office work flow; conducts research; interacts with legislators, state agency personnel, the public, lobbyists, and advocates; and provides administrative support to the Delegate.

Reports to: Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr

Supervises: May supervise other administrative staff and interns

Work schedule: During the 90-day legislative session (approximately early January to mid-April), the Legislative Director works 8+ hours a day Monday-Friday. At times of peak workload, evening and/or weekend work will occasionally be required, often with little advance notice. Note: holidays are normal working days during the legislative session. During the remainder of the year, the position is three, 8 hour days per week.

Work location: Annapolis during the 90-day legislative session. The position can mostly work from home the remainder of the year.

Start date: August 1, 2020

Job qualifications:

● Professional or educational experience in public policy. Experience in state public policy or legislative affairs and/or the Maryland General Assembly strongly preferred, but not required.

● A four year college degree.

● Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work efficiently within time constraints and deadlines, and handle stressful situations while maintaining a calm professional demeanor.

● Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, clearly communicate information, listen well, and ask relevant questions.

● Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and to exercise discretion in all matters and interactions.

● A high level of professionalism in conduct, work ethic, and appearance.

● A customer service mentality.

● Work cooperatively with other staff; maintain courteous and effective relationships.

● Familiarity with Microsoft products (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Drive, or the ability to learn quickly on the job.

Duties include:

● Read, triage, and respond to all email received by the Delegate. During the legislative session, this is often hundreds of emails a day.

● Draft responses to constituent emails, for review by the Delegate.

● Track the Delegate’s bills through the legislative process.

● Handle bill hearing preparations, including inviting and coordinating witnesses and drafting the Delegate’s testimony.

● Conduct research on legislative topics.

● Interact with the public, advocates, and lobbyists on the Delegate’s behalf.

● Take and respond to constituent calls and requests for information and resolve issues on their behalf.

● Schedule meetings and maintain the Delegate’s calendar.

● Administer the Delegate’s scholarship program, including responding to questions from applicants, review applicants’ basic qualifications, and administer awards.

● Dispense information to other legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, and the public per instructions from the Delegate.

● Assist with the preparation of legislative amendments.

● Hire interns and other session staff.

● Assist the Delegate in a broad variety of administrative duties.

Note: Employees of the General Assembly are at-will employees and, as such, may leave employment at any time and employment may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice.

How to apply: Email your cover letter and resume to julie.pala...@house.state.md.us. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, however applications received on or before June 19th will be considered for the first round of phone interviews.