Legislative Assistant to Senator Marcus Riccelli

Salary: $4,962.00 - $8,598.00 Monthly
Location : Spokane County - Spokane, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: SDC-05182026
Department: Washington State Senate
Opening Date: 05/18/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
EXEMPTRECRUITMENTANNOUNCEMENT
JOBTITLE: Legislative Assistant to Senator Marcus Riccelli

SALARY: $4,962 -$8,598 monthly depending on qualifications

LOCATION: Olympia,Washington and Spokane, Washington

REPORTS TO: Senator Riccelli and his Executive Legislative Assistant

CLOSES: June 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible.
SENATE PROFILE

The Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually in the Capitol Building in Olympia beginning on the second Monday in January. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and its legislative members. The Senate strives to cultivate an inclusive working environment that supports diversity through equitable policies and practices.
MEMBER PROFILE

Senator Marcus Riccelli represents Washington State's 3rd Legislative District in Spokane. He is the Majority Floor Leader and serves on the Ways & Means Committee, Health & Long-Term Care Committee, State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee, and the Rules Committee. He served 12 years in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2024.

More information here:
POSITION PROFILE

Senator Riccelli is seeking a Spokane-based legislative assistant who is willing and able to temporarily relocate to Olympia for the legislative session. The successful candidate is a highly motivated self-starter that will help our team provide the highest quality service, representation, and leadership for the people of Spokane.

This is a full-time year-round position that is exempt from civil service laws. This position is represented by a union.

Duties
POSITION DUTIES (may include, but are not limited to):

• Manage the daily operations of Senator Riccelli's office.
• Attend in-district meetings both with the Senator and on the Senator's behalf when the legislature is not in session.
• Serve as a liaison between the Senator and both internal and external parties (legislators, staff, lobbyists, agencies, local/federal governments, tribal nations, and constituents).
• Field questions from the public regarding legislation, the Senator's stance on issues, and other legislative-related questions.
• Collaborate with caucus communications staff on drafting talking points, press releases, mailings,and planning town halls and district-specific media strategies.
• Draft and/or review responses to legislative correspondence; exercise independent judgement to determine the appropriate course of action.
• Assist constituents with casework and in their interactions with state agencies.
• Meet with constituents, lobbyists, and other parties on behalf of the Senator.
• Organize in-person and virtual legislative events.
• Monitor district-specific issues and concerns.
• Assist the Executive legislative Assistant in maintaining the Senator's legislative calendar throughout the year; prioritizing meeting requests, preparing briefing and background materials for meetings, and arranging travel details.
• Oversee the Senator's legislative office budget, including making equipment purchases and submitting travel and reimbursement requests.
• In consultation with the Senator and Executive LA, recruit candidates for session staff positions.
• Train and supervise session staff to ensure compliance with office procedures and Senate rules.
• Delegate tasks associated with the Senator's legislative priorities and goals to the session staff.
• Oversee progression of bills and amendments through the legislative process.
• Manage, submit, and track the Senator's budget requests throughout the budget process.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication between the Senator and stakeholders in the creation, development, and progression of legislation.
• Collaborate with partisan caucus policy staff and non-partisan committee services staff to implement the Senator's policy goals.
• Maintain and preserve records of the legislative office according to the retention schedules.
• Conduct records searches for responsive public records as needed.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will also possess:

• Familiarity with the 3rd Legislative District (Spokane)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful and professional manner
• Ability to maintain productive working relationships with Senators, staff, lobbyists/ advocates, and constituents
• Well-developed organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to understand and competently operate legislative computer systems and video conferencing software.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the legislative process, including the committee and leadership structure, in the Washington State Legislature
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the public records law and the legislative records retention schedule
• Ability to exercise professional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
• Have a passion for the legislative process, good government, and public service
• The desire to exceed expectations and to run the most efficient and responsive legislative office possible, always keeping a customer service mindset
• The courage to question conventional wisdom and challenge the status quo when appropriate

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree AND one year of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position works in-person in Olympia during the legislative session. Relocation compensation is available for permanent staff who live more than 50 miles from Olympia.
• WhentheLegislatureisnotin session, in-state remote work is supported, but the LA should be based in Spokane as they are expected to be available to attend in-person meetings at the district office and around the Spokane region. The expectation is that the LA will work from the district office a minimum of two days a week during the interim.
• Long and irregular hours are required during the legislative session, including evening and weekend work. When the Legislature is not in session, flexible schedule options are available.

Supplemental Information
SALARY RANGE

RCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The salary for this position is based on relevant experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $4,962 -$8,598 monthly. A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions; paid subscription to DeleteMe; and tuition reimbursement.


HOW TO APPLY:

Complete the application form accessed by clicking this link: or typing this URL: closing date is Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible. E-mail contact
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at


The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026