Legislative Director

Initial Posting Date:

Application Deadline:

Agency:

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Position Type:

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Job Description:

The House Democratic Office is searching for its next Legislative Director to support the priorities and needs of caucus members.  This position requires a well-versed political strategist, prepared to assist in the development of legislative proposals and initiatives on behalf of the caucus. The ideal candidate will be familiar with Oregon’s legislative process, political environment, budget and prepared to assist all caucus members and their staff with policy development support.

This is a collaborative position requiring a strong communicator prepared to make, support and nurture relationships with caucus members and staff, stakeholders, state agencies, and the general public to further the House Democrats’ policy agenda. This is also a dynamic position whose role and responsibilities will be heavily driven by the needs of the caucus and the dynamics of the legislative session.

HDO employees currently have the flexibility to work according to a hybrid in-person and remote work schedule during the periods between legislative sessions and interim committee meetings. During legislative sessions and periods when interim committees meet, staff work solely onsite in the State Capitol building to carry out the duties of their positions.

The work history and experience of the ideal candidate will include:

• Knowledge of:

• Constitutional, statutory, and administrative rules and laws
• Relevant political, institutional, economic, and social issues
• Tax and fiscal policy
• Statewide geography
• Interconnections among a wide variety of policy areas
• Executive branch agencies and their functions
• House districts and demographics
• Current news events
• Senate and House procedures, rules, practices, and customs
• Masons Manual of Legislative Procedures
• Budgets and budgetary practices
• Funding of programs within Oregon

• Skill in:

• Written and verbal communication
• Successful experience researching complicated policy issues and providing clear and concise findings
• Understanding the legislative environment
• Working collaboratively and independently as a member of a team

• Ability to: 

• Remain organized in a dynamic work environment
• Read and process legal writing under tight time constraints
• Tactfully navigate interactions with difficult individuals
• Write policy briefs and anticipate questions about bills
• Condense large amounts of information into an easy-to-read format
• Find a balance among the positions of various members

We invite you to review the position description below; if your work history and expertise align with the position, we encourage you to apply.

To review the position description in its entirety, please click here.

HOW TO QUALIFY:

Your application must demonstrate:

Bachelor’s degree and three (3) to five (5) years of related experience.

*An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.

Please attach a resume and cover letter that clearly states your experience and how it is applicable to this position. 

TO APPLY:

• IF YOU ARE NOT A STATE EMPLOYEE: To apply for this position, follow the "Apply" link and complete the application & questions online. If this is your first time applying in our new system "Workday", you will need to create a new user profile. You can even drag and drop your resume into Workday and it will read and generate your Work History! Be sure to attach a cover letter and resume.
• CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using the Career app on your Home Page. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).
• Please attach a resume and cover letter that clearly states your experience and how it is applicable to this position. 
• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to you through this system. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.
• This announcement closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.

WHY THE OREGON STATE LEGISLATURE?

• Work/life balance - paid leave and a competitive benefits package.
• We offer full medical, vision and dental with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Collaborative work environment with a team of bright, hardworking, and fun individuals.
• Opportunities for professional development to expand your breadth and depth of knowledge.
• Support the creation of public policy and watch as history unfolds for the State of Oregon as ideas become crafted into policies and laws.
• The Legislative Branch is made up of seven small-medium state agencies where you can really get to know your co-workers.
• Considering a move to Oregon? Check out what living, working and playing in Oregon is like.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

• The Capitol Building is undergoing extensive renovation and construction projects which may limit accessibility to employees. This will require Legislative employees to work both from home and within the building as the construction project dictates. While working from home, personal, stable and high-speed internet access will be required to perform the functions of this position. There may be occasions that require employees scheduled to be working from home, to report to the Capitol or an offsite building. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable notice. However, employees may be required to report to the building under short notice. The Capitol building is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
• Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. If you are requesting veterans' preference, you may receive an additional questionnaire in your Workday account. In order to ensure your privacy, we are asking that you complete the Veterans’ Questionnaire and attach your qualifying military documents at that time. This questionnaire will be sent to your Workday account after you submit your application. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before the application deadline; extensions may be granted if necessary and reasonable. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources. Or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.
• The salary in this job posting reflects the base salary without contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Employees eligible for PERS will have their salary increased by 6.95% and 6% will be automatically be subject to a mandatory employee contribution to PERS.
• The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum and desired skills listed above.
• An offer including salary will not be extended until an equal pay analysis is completed pursuant to ORS 652.220 and 659A.357.  An equal pay analysis will be conducted utilizing the education and work experience section of the legislative application.
• Work Authorization:  The Oregon State Legislature does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. The Oregon State Legislature is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Aimee Steketee, Human Resource Analyst, at aimee.steketee@oregonlegislature.gov or (503) 986-1373.
• The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity.