Your Guide to Legislative Staffing

Ever wonder how to understand and get through the maze of personnel in an elected official's office? Here's a basic guide to the staffing compliments for our state and federally elected officials. (Recognize that not all offices will have all staffing positions noted hereafter, while others may choose to have multiple people working the same issue areas.)

Sacramento/Washington, D.C. Staff Guide

• Chief of Staff (COS): Typically runs the office, manages the staff, and serves as the chief advisor to the member of Congress/Assembly/State Senate.
• Press Secretary/Communications Director: Manages the member's media relations and public communications. This often includes press releases, event and floor speeches, newsletters, social networking sites and responding to and tracking media inquiries.
• Executive Assistant/Scheduler: Manages the member's official schedule and travel. Scheduling often entails constituent meetings, committee meetings and hearings, district travel, receptions and special events, and press conferences.
• Legislative Director (LD): Supervises the legislative staff and operations of the office. Advises the member on legislative activity in all areas. Frequently approves correspondence.
• Legislative Assistant (LA): Handles legislative/policy issues in a select number of issue areas. Monitors and analyzes specific legislation and recommends action to the elected official based on the member's position. Topics are typically divided based on the member's committee assignments and general committee breakdown of issues. Frequently meets with constituents regarding issues in their assigned area. Frequently drafts and or edits correspondence.
• Legislative Correspondent (LC): Receives, logs, and drafts response to all constituent generated legislative mail. Frequently coordinates written response to constituents with LAs and LDs. Some typically handle one or two issue areas as well.
• Systems Administrator: Responsible for the office technology – database, computers, and equipment. This position often overlaps with the LC or an office manager position.
• Staff Assistant/Receptionist: A position not to be overlooked. This person is often the first one you speak with on the phone, meet when you walk in the office or talk with regarding general requests (flags, tours, and mail). They are frequently a gatekeeper to all of the inner offices and many move up in the office at a later date. Be one of the smart ones who develops a relationship with this staff member.

District Staff Guide

• District Director: Responsible for all activities outside of Washington, D.C.,/Sacramento.
• Caseworker/Field Representative: Handles personal constituent issues with a federal or state agency (i.e., social security checks, veteran's benefits, franchise tax board, state welfare office, etc.) Often coordinates district events, office hours, and meetings throughout the district. He/She serves as an in-district contact when the member is in Washington D.C./Sacramento during the legislative session.