Now hiring: Legislative aide
Maine Senate Majority (Democratic) Office seeks hardworking, and team oriented individual for the role of legislative aide.
The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and writer, be adept at balancing and organizing multiple priorities, and will enjoy working as part of a team to meet diverse challenges.
The Senate Majority Office staff supports and enhances the work of the Maine State Senators in the Democratic caucus as they carry out their commitment to serve their constituents and strives to have tangible, positive impacts on the lives of all Maine people. The Legislative Aide serves multiple members of the Democratic caucus, helping with constituent services, communications, and legislative work. The Legislature provides competitive compensation and generous paid time off and benefits for its dedicated and hardworking staff.
Job Summary:
This mid-level professional performs constituent casework, routine research, and press and public relations functions for Senate Democratic caucus members. The position requires basic familiarity with the legislative process, the functions of state government, and policy interests of the caucus and the district of assigned caucus members. The Legislative Aide is supervised by a senior staff member (Chief of Staff), who may review and track their work for accuracy, completeness, content, timeliness and methods.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assists constituents of assigned caucus members in dealing with state agencies, quasi-governmental entities, and other organizations as appropriate in obtaining services or resolving problems either in person, by phone or email and in consultation with the senator.
- Monitors statewide and in-district events and news.
- Works closely with communications staff to timely draft and review columns, opinion pieces, press releases, media advisories, legislative testimony, floor speeches, and more.
- Researches, writes, edits, formats and oversees production of annual newsletters and questionnaires in conjunction with senators.
- Helps organize in-district and other meetings for legislators.
- Tracks assigned caucus members’ legislation through the entire legislative process; monitors committee hearings or floor debates and reports legislative action or developments to other staff or legislators.
- May assist assigned senators with social media, email, and other correspondence and legislative business.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or other equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to communicate, coordinate and work effectively with the public, members of the legislature, legislative staff and executive branch staff.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Research and computer skills and experience.
- Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and under pressure.
- Demonstrated interest in politics and/or state government.
- Familiarity with Maine and its different regions.
To Apply:
- Application requires a cover letter, current resume, writing sample (see instructions and prompt below), and minimum two references submitted by email to the Chief of Staff at isabel.mullin@legislature.maine.gov. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
- Writing sample instructions: The written response to the below prompt should be entirely your own work. You should not consult others for any part of the assignment, including proofreading. The time limit is 1 hour 15 min total on the response (recommended 45 min for research and 30 min for writing), and it should be no more than 400 words (headers included). This is being conducted under the honor system, as trust is a key part of our staff relationships. You may do research using any trustworthy sources available to you. If a statement is based on a source, please hyperlink the relevant text to that source.
- Prompt: It is July 6, 2021. The Governor just signed into law LD 1619, “An Act To Establish a Moratorium on Offshore Wind Power Projects in Maine’s Territorial Waters,” which was sponsored by a senator you support. Please draft a press release about the signing, the bill becoming law, and the broader significance of the legislation on Maine’s renewable energy and fishing industries.
- Here are a few resources that may be helpful:
