District Legislative Aide (District 17)

District Legislative Aide

The Office of State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith is now accepting applications for a District Legislative Aide based in Orlando, Florida. This is work assisting a Senator with a variety of administrative and public relations matters requiring a thorough understanding of the policies, procedures, and operating practices of the Florida Legislature. An employee in a position allocated to this class performs duties of limited variety and complexity. Work involves the performance of various routine and non-routine tasks following clearly defined standardized practices. Results are reviewed upon completion for judgment, completeness, and accomplishment of objectives within deadlines. This position may involve travel to Tallahassee.

Financial Disclosure: Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Accommodation for Disability

If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Examples of Work Performed

• Manages or assists in managing a district office and supervises other staff in all functions performed by district office.
• Serves as a liaison for constituents.
• Responds to inquiries by seeking solutions to problems or assisting in the communication with appropriate agency.
• Performs research to gather and assemble information for drafting of bills, speeches, or special reports.
• Attends various local functions and meetings with supervisor to gather information, or on behalf of the supervisor, as a representative of the staff.
• Prepares and distributes press releases and other public information data.
• Supervises maintenance of district office files including selection of newspaper articles and other source materials for files.
• Manages district office expense account.
• Formulates replies to correspondence in draft or final form depending on the complexity of the issue.
• Advises supervisor of issues and projects in the district that require involvement to better serve the district.
• Reviews all correspondence, reports, and legislative proposals for accuracy and quality of content.
• May perform extensive background research on a bill in working it through the committee process.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of personal computers and use of software.
• Knowledge of the methods for organizing and presenting data.
• Knowledge of Florida laws, and the legislative and political processes and protocol.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use independent judgment in handling media inquiries and news releases.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to review work for accuracy and quality of content.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to supervise/manage people.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently.
• Ability to compose correspondence.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
• Ability to manage time well.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and contribute to the effective internal functioning of the operation.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of administrative experience.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for the one year of required experience.
• Professional or nonprofessional administrative experience can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Benefits

Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.

Health and Dental Insurance

Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.

Leave Accrual Benefits

Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:

Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month

Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.

Life and Disability Insurance

Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.

Retirement

Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium.

Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan

This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.

Paid Holidays

New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday

Total Compensation Statement

The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $40,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.