TITLE: Legislative Research Analyst
SUPERVISOR: Research Staff Director
SALARY: $3750/Month Minimum Base Salary
CLOSING DATE: September 1, 2006
EMAIL: vregens@azleg.gov

The Arizona State Senate is recruiting to fill a research analyst position to conduct public policy research and provide support to the GOVERNMENT committee, which is generally responsible for issues relating to county and city legislation; state government including personnel laws; homeowners’ associations, Native American and military affairs; and legislative procedures.

The Senate Research Staff is an in-house, nonpartisan research department that provides professional research and policy analysis for Senators on a full-time, year-round basis. Senate Research Staff is organized based upon the Senate standing committee structure.

Senate Research Staff duties focus primarily on research and analysis of public policy issues and proposed legislation directly related to the assigned areas of responsibility, the preparation of written reports and summaries, and the oral presentation of research and analysis undertaken. Additionally, research analysts have supervisory responsibility for assistant analysts, interns and research assistants, as assigned.

Members of the Senate Research Staff are expected to: maintain a close working relationship with the chairman of the standing committee to which they are assigned; demonstrate expertise in their areas of public policy; posses strong communication skills including the ability to effectively and concisely present information and respond to questions; foster working relationships with other professionals within their policy areas, be PC literate, specifically, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and familiarity with web-based academic research tools; and develop and maintain a working expertise in all relevant State Constitutional and statutory provisions, related State agencies, programs and administrative rules, and related federal and local government programs.

The salary is $45,000 or higher, depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The State of Arizona offers excellent employee benefits, including membership in the Arizona State Retirement System and health insurance.

Interested individuals should submit a letter of introduction and resume to:

Victoria Regens
Arizona State Senate
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 926-3171
E-Mail: vregens@azleg.gov
Closing Date: September 1, 2006

Following is a detailed position description and the desired qualifications:

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST DUTIES:

Upon the direction of the President of the Senate, committee chairman and all Senators, and under the supervision of the research staff director, the research analyst serves all members of the Senate in the following manner:

Legislative Research:

• Research and analyze public policy issues and alternatives directly and indirectly related to the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Prepare and maintain summaries of research and analysis undertaken.
• Brief Senators and staff, upon request, on research and analysis.
• Research and analyze the impact and effect of proposed legislation.
• Examine and responds to legislators’ constituent inquiries.

Committee Support:

• Prepare and update summaries of legislation.
• Draft legislation and amendments.
• Staff standing committee meetings, which includes the oral presentation of the provisions and impact of proposed legislation and responding to Senators’ inquires.
• Identify fiscal impacts associated with proposed legislation, and seek detailed analysis from appropriate legislative staff and governmental agencies.
• Advise and assist with legislative procedures.
• Track legislation.
• Staff interim study committees, including preparation of final reports and recommendations.
• Supervise assistant analysts, interns and research assistants.

Policy Support:

• Maintain expertise in assigned subject areas.
• Maintain professional working relationships with other legislative staff and personnel in other public and private organizations to facilitate communication and information exchange.
• Seek and participate in on-going professional development.
• Write speech talking points, upon request by Senators.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree, required.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: legislative procedure, county and city legislation and state government operations.
• Strong quantitative skills, with the ability to analyze demographic and utilization trends.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with an outstanding attention to detail.
• Experience and knowledge of the legislative process and state government.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and the ability to work long hours.
• Ability to balance competing demands and work well under tight time lines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.