Class Summary

Nature of Work

This position supports City Council Member Zack Zappone, District 3.

Each member of the Spokane City Council employs a single legislative assistant as his or her general staff person in the Council Office. The role of this position is to aid the Council Member in successfully fulfilling his or her public obligations by providing a variety of support in the areas of research, policy analysis, public relations, office administration and communications. A legislative assistant provides the immediate support apparatus for the Council Member, and must help keep his or her office organized, informed, and connected to constituents, community and governmental organizations, and other City officials and agencies.

A legislative assistant is expected to perform moderately difficult policy research, provide their own evaluations and analysis of current issues, and must effectively communicate with other Council/City staff and constituents about legislative affairs. As this position handles a diverse set of duties, legislative assistants must possess solid organizational and time-management skills. There is a significant clerical component to a legislative assistant’s work as well, as he or she is responsible for maintaining and organizing the Council Member’s schedule, among other obligations. Work requires the application of independent judgment. Work is not subject to

specific checks and controls, and, if not detected, errors could cause embarrassment to the Council Member.

Supervision

This "at-will" position serves at the pleasure of the Council Member, under their direct supervision. Work is performed with independence within the framework of current requirements of the supervisory Council Member.

General Functions

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

Organizes the Council Member’s entire calendar – including scheduling new appointments/meetings, ensuring the Council Member is available to meet the obligations of serving on various boards and commissions, and helping to decide whether to accept or decline invitations to various community events depending on the Council Member’s availability.
Complete background work for policy proposals and other legislative affairs. This work includes:
researching the policies of other cities;
analyzing relevant data and other information as it pertains to the Council Member’s proposals or agenda;
producing memoranda, briefing papers, and other supporting documents necessary for advancing proposals through the Council’s legislative process; and
preparing presentations and informational materials on proposals.
Serves as supporting staff person when Council Member chairs a Council standing Committee. This work includes:
organizing the committee’s agenda for its monthly meetings, and
coordinating with other City staff and community members to provide the briefings and presentations that the committee will receive during the meeting.
Assists Council member in keeping connected to the community. This work includes:
keeping up communications with constituents, community groups, and other City entities
responding directly to constituent calls/emails/letters,
handling correspondence to furnish or request information,
preparing and distributing media releases and statements,
writing speeches for the Council Member, and
handling community outreach through the Council Member’s social media accounts and through other media modes like electronic newsletters.
Documents correspondence from constituents and members of the community, responds to public records requests, develop and maintains filing systems or procedures for various records, and interfaces with the City’s legislative organizing software, OnBase.

Requirements of Work

Extensive Knowledge Of

Modern office and administrative practices, procedures; and records maintenance and retention procedures. Considerable knowledge of scheduling and time-management.
Some knowledge of legislative and administrative systems.

Ability To

Research and analyze relevant constituent issues, to track the status of legislation, and prepare briefings and materials.
Perform multiple tasks accurately and efficiently under time constraints.
Work both independently and cooperatively.
Exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality.
Keep records and prepare reports.
Comfortably speak/present in public settings.
Take detailed notes during meetings or briefings/hearings.
Identify and monitor issues specific to the district the Council Member represents.
Plan and organize community events for Council Members.

Physical Requirements

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting but may include visits to external agencies and business locations. It also involves frequent attendance at meetings, including many that are conducted outside of regular work schedule, to include some irregular hours. Employee is expected to communicate verbally, in person and by telephone. A computer terminal is used, and this requires the use of repetitive arm-hand movements.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. Generally, this will include:

High school diploma or its equivalent, plus relevant work experience (each year of relevant work experience may be substituted for a year of preferred education); OR
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year college or university. Candidates with a degree in political science, communications, social sciences, or a related field of study are preferred.

Behavioral Standards

As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Director of Neighborhood, Housing & Human Services is subject to the City's Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, "it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.

Insurance Benefits

Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium, and to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Vision

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Life Insurance - Employee Only

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.

LegalShield

Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Retirement Benefits

Spokane Employees' Retirement System

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.

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