Washington State

Description

Washington State House of Representatives

Exempt Recruitment Announcement

Counsel or Policy Analyst, House Republican Caucus (2 positions)

OPENS:

June 9, 2025

CLOSES:

July 14, 2025

REPORTS TO:

Policy Director

LOCATION:

Thurston County – Olympia, Washington during session. In-state telework options are available during interim.

SALARY:

Level I -- $79,668 - $138,060 annually

Level II -- $89,508 - $155,148 annually

(The above reflects the full salary range, starting salary will be based on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications and will likely be below the top of the range.)

This recruitment will be used to fill two positions. One position is anticipated to start in September and the other position is anticipated to start in October.

About The House of Representatives:

The House of Representatives (House) comprises half of the Washington State Legislature and is made of 98 members, elected to serve two-year terms representing 49 legislative districts. The House employs 250 full-time year-round staff and 100 temporary session staff and interns. 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.

Our workplace is on the beautiful Capitol Campus in Olympia. The 486-acre campus includes the Legislative Building and other historic structures, as well as popular parks and trails with views of Capitol Lake, Budd Inlet, and the Olympic Mountains.

The House of Representatives holds themselves to the Legislative Code of Conduct which expects the following:

• We conduct ourselves with self-awareness, self-respect, and professionalism;
• We treat others with respect, dignity, and civility, regardless of status or position; and
• We refrain from engaging in hostile, intimidating, offensive, or unlawful activities or behaviors that may amount to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or bullying.

About the House Republican Caucus:

The Washington State House Republican Caucus (HRC) consists of 39 Republican members of the Washington State House of Representatives. Our caucus staff team is comprised of administrative, policy and communications professionals supporting HRC members in their legislative activities. This position provides analysis, research and legislative strategy advising in their respective policy areas to all House Republicans. Communications specialists help members of the HRC communicate with their district, the media, interested parties and the general public about policies considered and passed by the Legislature. Legislative Assistants staff and manage individual member offices. Learn more at: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov.

Duties

Position Profile:

Caucus Counsels or Policy Analysts are seasoned public policy professionals dedicated to researching, developing, and advising on innovative policy solutions for House Republicans. Responsibilities include conducting in-depth legal, policy, and fiscal = analysis; evaluating policy alternatives for Representatives; and reviewing legislation and amendments. Additionally, analysts provide informed responses to inquiries on a broad spectrum of policy and budget matters. This position serves as the counsel or policy analyst for up to three House committees to be determined at a later date.

How You’ll Be Expected to Contribute:

• Within assigned issue areas, attend legislative committees, provide strategic advice to ranking members and other republican members of each committee, and be familiar with all legislation that may be of concern to the caucus.
• Assist caucus members in developing legislative policy, which includes providing background research, facilitating the drafting of bills and amendments, and identifying relevant legislative or political history.
• Brief bills, amendments, and issues for individual caucus members, committee members, leadership, and the entire caucus.
• Assist individual caucus members, committee ranking members, and senior staff in developing legislative strategies to pass priority legislation and amendments.
• Identify strategic opportunities for caucus members to ask questions in committee or offer amendments throughout the process that highlight the House Republican Caucus policy initiatives and point out the deficiencies in opposing agendas.
• Collaborate closely with the communications staff to provide the necessary background information, enabling them to accurately and effectively convey caucus messages to constituents and garner support for the caucus's positions, as well as the legislative priorities of individual caucus members.
• Monitor all activities, including attending off-campus meetings of executive agencies, work groups, and task forces within assigned issue areas, and identify areas of concern for senior staff and interested caucus members.
• Conduct policy research upon request for all caucus members and provide background information to legislative assistants to assist them in responding to constituent concerns and inquiries.
• Maintain and update shared documentation to ensure accurate, accessible, and timely information for senior staff, caucus leadership, and communications.
• Write issue and bill briefs, summaries, and presentations for members or other staff.

Qualifications

The Successful Candidate Will Meet These Qualifications:

A counsel must:

• Have a Juris Doctorate and be a licensed attorney with the Washington State Bar or any other state bar for Level I; or
• Have a Juris Doctorate and be a licensed attorney with the Washington State Bar or any other state bar and three or more years’ relevant experience for Level II.

A policy analyst must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree involving major study in public policy, political science, economics, communications, or relevant field AND one to three years’ relevant experience for Level I; or
• Have a bachelor’s degree involving major study in public policy, political science, economics, communications, or relevant field AND more than three years’ relevant experience for Level II.

All candidates must also be:

• Comfortable working in Microsoft Word and Excel with the tech literacy to navigate digital tools and adapt to new systems; and
• Knowledgeable of the legislative process.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Exceptional people skills with an ability to work effectively with all members of the House Republican Caucus, stakeholders, partisan and nonpartisan staff, and with the other legislative caucuses;
• Strong political judgment, strategic thinking, and problem solving;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• A keen understanding of the legislative process, public policy, and politics in general;
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize, work well under pressure, and manage multiple projects and deliver high-quality results on short timelines;
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidential and sensitive information;
• Ability to ask for help when needed, not be territorial, and be willing to work within the team to get the job done;
• A “get-to-yes,” service-minded attitude;
• Ability to distill complex information into clear, concise content tailored to diverse audiences.

Note: Diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role and will be considered. Candidates with any combination of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work will be considered.

Supplemental Information

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions:

This position requires an onsite/in-person presence during the legislative session and frequently requires more than 40 hours of work per week, which may include evening, weekends, and holidays during legislative sessions. Interim schedules allow for more flexibility. This position is currently approved for in-state telework during the interim with an expectation to have an onsite-in-person presence when requested.

Benefits:

Employee benefits include vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life, and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.

How to Apply:

Please submit the below items combined in one document:

(1) a letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications;

(2) a current resume describing in detail your experience and education; and

(3) a minimum of three professional references with contact information (e.g., address, e-mail address, and telephone).

Send application materials and direct any questions to: HouseHR@leg.wa.gov.

The Washington State Legislature is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran, or military status, or using a trained service animal by a person with a disability. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including those listed above and those with other diverse life experiences. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact House HR Director at niki.pavlicek@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7030, or TTD 1-800-635-9993. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

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