Assistant to the Legislative Team

The Capitol office of State Senator Royce West is seeking two Assistants to the Legislative Team for the 88th Texas Legislature. This position is ideal for persons majoring in business, education, English, or similar non-political fields who have an interest in the Legislative process. The office of Senator Royce West welcomes students on fellowships or scholarships through their school seeking a matching internship to apply for this position. We also work with institutions for course credit consistent with policies of your institution. QUALIFICATIONS: Must be at least a sophomore (second year) student at a university or junior college. ABOUT THIS ROLE: This role provides scheduling, clerical, and other support to the Legislative Director, Chief of Staff, and Legislative Team under the direction of the Legislative Director. We work with you on your schedule to help you take advantage of the opportunity to work in the Texas Capitol without harming your academic studies, for those students not on fellowships or other programs that will allow full-time work in our office. JOB DUTIES: This position is responsible for assisting the Legislative Director and Legislative Team with: scheduling, preparation of committee and floor notebooks, answering phones, correspondence management, and management of the Legislative Team Files, all Bill Jackets, and the LD Topic Files. You will use Outlook and Microsoft 365 to assist the Legislative Director in managing his schedule and the work of the Legislative Team. An internship in the Office of State Sen. Royce West provides students the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process across all issue spectrums and most legislative process areas. START AND END DATES: START and END date for this position are flexible, but all candidates must start within the month of January, 2023, and continue work through at least the second week of May, 2023, although the majority of our interns will stay through the end of Session in late may. DRESS CODE: Gentlemen are asked to wear slacks and button up shirts and ties when attending events, including committee meetings, in the Capitol. A coat and tie are REQUIRED gentlemen by the Rules of the Senate if you staff the Senator on the Senate Floor. For ladies, pants suits, dresses, or similar professional attire is appropriate. Our office is happy to help those gentlepersons who may be gender non-conforming understand what an appropriate manner of dress would be that fits within the Senate Rules and the rules of our office. On office days when the Senate is not in session and the Senator is not in Austin, a relaxed dress code is assumed on a day-by-day basis, and you will be advised of the same. We do allow our interns a relaxed dress code on these days as we respect that students are often not equipped to cover many dry cleaning bills or purchase multiple work-appropriate outfits. This internship is a rare opportunity to work on the official communications team of a sitting state senator. Day to day supervision will be provided by the Legislative Director. Interns will be provided clear guidance, instructions, and regular weekly benchmarks to meet as part of the internship. Senator West's office is an equal opportunity employer. Persons of color, LGBT people, gender non-conforming persons, etc. are encouraged to apply for these opportunities if qualified. OFFICE ENVIRONMENT: We provide gratis snacks, water, and other similar beverages for staff and interns throughout the duration of the Legislative session. We will occasionally serve a full lunch in the office. You will likely share a desk with an intern who works a different schedule than you do. If your desk is in the Legislative Director's Suite, please be aware that room is maintained at 67 degrees Fahrenheit year around, and you may wish to bring a sweater, shawl, etc. You may bring a blanket or throw if you work in the cold part of the office, but such are not allowed to be used in the front office, and must be taken home with you daily. OPPORTUNITIES: You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with other legislators, legislative staff, government relations persons, lobbyists, advocacy organizations, state agencies, and Senate support offices. You will learn how a legislative office works, and receive regular opportunities to learn additional information about state government or particular subject matter areas.