LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SPECIALIST

POSITION: Legislative Committee Specialist

COMPANY: State of Arkansas

GRADE: SGS05

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Legislative Committee Specialist is an entry-level position that works under direct supervision of the Committee Services Administrator. This role is responsible for providing nonpartisan review and analysis of issues related to an assigned subject or legislative committee. The Specialist will research and prepare narrative and data-based reports, provide staff assistance to assigned legislative committees during legislative sessions and the interim, and offer technical assistance in assigned areas to members of the General Assembly.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Research data as requested by legislators and supervisor and prepare reports of findings.
• Provide information and assistance to legislators in assigned areas as required.
• Provide staff support to committees, including assisting the committee chair by preparing agendas, notices, and other documents required for committee meetings.
• Assist in planning and coordination of out-of-town committee meetings.
• Know and be able to apply rules of each chamber and committee, including precedence of motions.
• Manage materials displayed on members’ Tablets during each meeting.
• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, Bureau staff, and members of the public with regard to issues concerning assigned committees and committee meetings.
• Develop and maintain knowledge in assigned subject matter areas.
• Travel as needed to in-state and out-of-state committee meetings.
• Direct the work of the assigned administrative assistant.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Occasional out-of-state travel to seminars or conferences.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required or assigned by the Committee Services Administrator, the Deputy Director for Research Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Formal education equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Familiarity with state and federal intergovernmental relations.
• Familiarity with the structure and function of Arkansas state government and programs.
• Familiarity with objective research methodology and diverse information resources.
• Knowledge of and experience with Windows Applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to extract and compile information from various sources.
• Ability to express the results of research in concise written or verbal form.
• Ability to provide public presentations.
• Ability to develop and maintain a good working relationship with legislators and state administrators.
• Ability to become proficient in in-house software programs.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS

• Effectively assist committee chair in conducting committee meetings.
• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency personnel, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.
• Thoroughly and punctually prepare the meeting agenda and other materials for committee meetings.
• Maintain a high standard of professional ethics and exercise appropriate discretion with confidential matters.
• Effectively organize and monitor the status of projects and work flow.
• Work cooperatively at problem solving and assist co-workers with a variety of tasks.
• Attend job-related trainings.