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Capitol Hill offers a wide range of exciting and demanding employment
opportunities. Employment on the
Hill generally refers to positions available in one of the 535 Congressional
offices (100 Senate and 435 House of Representatives) or 300 committees and
subcommittees. Most committees are
divided into majority and minority staffs that perform several different
functions including, research and subject specialists that conduct legislative
research, draft bills, and follow upcoming legislation, ombudsmen that respond
to constituent inquiries, handle general administration, or promote the public
image (and future election) of their representative, and committee staff that
support the legislative process, by drafting legislation, preparing background
reports, arranging for expert testimony, and serving as the liaison between
Congress and the administration on policy matters.
Congressional staffers perform a variety of different functions, so there
are opportunities for persons with varying interests and capabilities.
All Congressional offices need the administrative support personnel as
well as public relations staff who may respond to constituent issues and/or
promote the elected officer’s public image.
Many Maxwell graduates seek positions as issue specialists, working in
the legislative area, conducting research, preparing background reports,
drafting bills, following legislation and arranging for expert testimony.
Career Paths and Entry Salaries
There is no" typical" career path on Capitol Hill. With elections every
two or six years and with only ten of the current Senators having 25 years or
more service, very few staffers are able to spend an entire career working for
one member of congress. Many
congressional staffers use their congressional positions as stepping-stones to
the executive branch, private sector, think tanks, and nonprofit organizations.
Since turnover is so common on the Hill, there are opportunities for
promotion on both personal and committee staffs.
The high turnover rate provides numerous opportunities for enterprising
job seekers. Staff size varies
considerably and networking is often the key to securing a position, as many
openings are highly competitive and are not always advertised.
An internship with a Member of Congress also provides an excellent
opportunity to build contacts and show interest in public service.
A good time to look for a position, particularly on the House side, is
just after an election.
Some of the more common entry-level positions include:
Receptionist/Staff Assistant – Serves as the main point of contact for the
office, which involves routing incoming calls, distributing messages and mail to
staffers,
and handling constituent requests. Average salaries range in the mid to upper
$20’s.
Legislative Correspondent – Drafts responses to a member's mail and deals
with a range of constituent requests and inquiries concerning legislation and
national policy. Average salaries range in the mid to upper $20’s.
Legislative Assistant – Briefs the Member on a number of issues, helps
draft legislation, writes position papers and addresses constituent inquiries.
In some offices, Legislative Assistants may handle five or six different
issues. Average salaries range from
the lower $30’s to the mid $40’s.
Press Secretary/Communications Director
– Acts as the key link between the Member of Congress and the media, directs
publicity by issuing press releases, radio and TV spots, speeches, etc.
Average salaries range from the mid $40’s in the House to the lower 60’s
in the Senate.
Legislative Director – Heads the legislative staff, updates the Member
on the status of bills in Congress, and maintains close contact with a number of
constituencies, including other Hill staffers and lobbyists.
Salaries range from the $50’s in the House to the $80’s in the Senate.
Administrative Assistant/Chief of Staff –
Oversees the operation of the entire office, both in Washington and in the area
represented by the Senator’s or Representative’s home state.
Individuals in this position generally have at least 10 years of
experience working in Congress. Average salaries range from the $80’s in the
House to over $100,000 in the Senate.
Qualifications Necessary/Application Procedures to
Enter Field
Entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree while a master’s is
necessary for advancement.
Substantive knowledge in areas relevant to a member's committee work and a
demonstrated understanding of the legislative process can be helpful in securing
a position. Strong written communication skills are essential, and it’s
important to be able to write concisely and precisely.
Oral communication and interpersonal skills are also important in
handling constituent problems, meeting with lobbyists and interest groups and
dealing with the media. The pace of most congressional offices requires high
energy, commitment and flexibility.
Sample Employers
Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
http://www.senate.gov/~foreign
Demand and Future Challenges of Profession
Entry-level positions are highly competitive and
many jobs on Capitol Hill are unadvertised.
Inquiries directed to the offices of your home congressional
representatives (particularly if you share their party affiliation) can be
helpful, as can a Capitol Hill internship.
Most congressional staffers will readily admit that networking is
frequently the key to securing a position on the Hill.
Post-election is a good time to look for a job on the House side.
While campaign staffers may fill some positions, newly elected
representatives need to staff the Washington office quickly. Resources For More Information
Placement Offices
House of Representatives Human Resources Office
Senate
Congressional Management Foundation Directories
·
Congressional Yellow Pages / Government Affairs Yellow Book, Leadership
Directories Inc (2003) Publications (in career library)
·
An
Insider’s Guide to Political Jobs in Washington,
William T. Endicott, John Wiley and Sons (2003) Other Publications
·
The
Almanac of American Government Jobs and Careers,
Ronald L. Krannich and Caryl Rae Krannich, Woodbridge, VA: Impact Press (October
1991)
Field Specific Information
Congressional employees must be U.S. citizens. This page current as of: April 24, 2008 |
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