Office of State Sen. Royce West

Austin

Unpaid

The Capitol office of State Senator Royce West is seeking four Law and Policy Residents for the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature. 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 a second-year law student or higher, graduate student in subjects including but not limited to education, public policy, environmental policy, history, community and regional planning, finance, business administration, marketing/communications/journalism, educational leadership. curriculum and instruction, American studies, anthropology, economics, government, political science, social work, sociology. ABOUT THIS ROLE: Our Law and Policy Residents have the opportunity to do advanced policy work and advise Senator West and his legislative team on a wide array of matters considered by the Texas Legislature. JOB DUTIES OF LAW & POLICY RESIDENTS: Law and Policy residents will be assigned to assist with specific bills being carried by Senator West, and may also be assigned to work specific bills not carried by the Senator as needs arise. You will serve as senior bill analysts, assisting the policy team in the analysis of the most complex and important bills before the 88th Texas Legislature. Our policy residents will also assist with preparation of amendments, legislative documents, and other materials. You may also be assigned to cover key specific House or Senate committees as part of your duties. Additionally, all staff in our office, from interns to the chief of staff, answer phones when they ring and other staff are tied up, and assist with constituent services on an as-needed basis, although this will not be the focus of this job. Law and Policy Residents may be asked to conduct policy research and prepare memoranda for senior staff or Senator West. An Law and Policy Fellowship 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 position is a rare opportunity to work on the legislative team of a sitting state senator. Day to day supervision will be provided by the Legislative Director and the Chief of Staff. Law and Policy Residents 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.

Email resume, cover letter, and writing sample to vince.leibowitz@senate.texas.gov

BA/BS

No

Vince.Leibowitz@senate.texas.gov

State Legislature

This internship is for law school and graduate school students

Vince Leibowitz

Monday, October 24, 2022

Saturday, November 5, 2022