Description**This posting is intended solely for internal use. It is meant for professional development and does not represent a real job opening.**
JOB TITLE: Committee Assistant
SALARY: $59,000 to $103,000 annually depending on qualifications
LOCATION: Olympia, Washington
CLOSES: March 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible.
DESCRIPTION
Customer service, teamwork, and nonpartisanship are core values for the Senate Committee Services (SCS) staff team. Our office provides nonpartisan staff support to the senators and committees of the Washington State Senate in Olympia, WA. We are currently seeking an experienced candidate to fill the role of Committee Assistant. This is a full-time, nonpartisan position, and exempt from civil service. For more information on SCS, please visit our website at http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/Pages/default.aspx.
ABOUT SENATE COMMITTEE SERVICES
Senate Committee Services is a nonpartisan workgroup that assists senators in developing and evaluating policy and fiscal alternatives to achieve policy and budgetary objectives. This is accomplished by ensuring committee meetings and other legislative processes operate efficiently and are accessible to the public. The nonpartisan mission of SCS is achieved by providing the same high-quality service and level of effort for all legislators and members of the public, regardless of political belief, affiliation, or rank.
A Committee Assistant will:
- Provide nonpartisan administrative office support to Senate committees and staff.
- Demonstrate excellent customer service to legislators, staff, and the public.
- Create legislative tracking documents for staff and committee leadership, schedule committee hearings, post public notices, prepare and distribute correspondence and other information, and accomplish other associated legislative functions.
- Coordinate logistics and administration of committee hearings and staff meetings.
- Run hearing room A/V equipment that is integrated with Zoom to provide a hybrid meeting structure, working with up to seven different applications at once.
- Assist in facilitating public testimony at committee hearings.
- Accurately record action taken during committee meetings and process paperwork in accordance with specific guidelines.
- Write and edit administrative correspondence with a professional tone.
- Acquire and develop a basic understanding of the legislative process and procedures.
- Create and maintain official electronic committee files to the legislative record.
- Train, mentor, and support temporary staff during the legislative session.
- Accomplish other associated administrative functions as necessary to ensure the legislative process and office operations run smoothly.
RequirementsSCS is looking for individuals who are motivated, engaging, professional, and team players who can problem solve quickly and multitask in a results-oriented environment. Following are skills, work ethics, and additional requirements necessary for the position:
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong administrative, customer service, and communication skills.
- Ability to discern and maintain confidentiality and remain nonpartisan and professional.
- Organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize work efficiently within time constraints.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook.
- Experience using Microsoft Teams, Planner, SharePoint, and OneNote is desired.
- Experience with Zoom, as well as other video conferencing technology and platforms.
- Experience learning and working with proprietary applications is desired.
- Ability to work well with others and maintain a positive, professional demeanor while working in a fast-paced, high-pressure legislative environment.
- Prior legislative experience is desired.
WORK ETHICS, VALUES, & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Work well under time constraints, at times multitasking, to meet deadlines as necessary and directed. Contribute to team efforts by sharing information and skills, and willingly take on new assignments to assist others.
- Exercise discretion, demonstrate nonpartisan values, and maintain confidentiality. Comply with established rules, procedures, and policies of the Senate. Maintain a good work attendance record, demonstrate reliability by following through on assignments and communicating effectively with others, and present a professional personal appearance through attire and grooming.
- Develop positive work relationships with senators and staff that establish trust amongst legislative colleagues, members of the Legislature, and the public. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in professional relationships. Show respect, patience, and empathy toward customers and peers.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- The Legislature meets annually beginning on the second Monday in January in the Capitol Building in Olympia. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and its members.
- This position is in-person in Olympia during the legislative session and may require work outside of the normal 8 am – 5 pm workday, including evenings and weekends. When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work may be allowed with prior approval from the Director, except when needed to be in-person for legislative meetings.
- Must be a Washington State resident or willing to relocate to Washington.
BenefitsSALARY RANGE
RCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The salary and classification for this position is based on relevant experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $59k - $103k, A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions and savings bonds, tuition reimbursement, and access to the Employee Assistance Program. When the Legislature is not in session, remote work is permitted, and flexible schedule options are available.
This recruitment is open until March 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM. For general questions regarding the review, interview and hiring process, please contact: Janelle Rotondo at Janelle.Rotondo@leg.wa.gov.
The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Officer at Senate.HRO@leg.wa.gov.