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University of Northern Iowa Job Title: Legislative Assistant Division: President's
Dept: Governmental Relations Class: III
Job Description Reports to: Administrative Assistant to President


PRIMARY FUNCTION: Under direct supervision, conducts research on legislative issues, campaign contributions and federal appropriations. Performs office duties such as receptionist, typing, filing, preparing routine reports, copying, and other general office duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: Very detail-oriented, with excellent organizational skills and outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Ability to understand the complexities of federal legislation, read bills, discern various earmarks, track appropriations, and organize a report in a logical manner. Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet and graphical software.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary responsibilities include:

• Identifying outreach activities off campus and working with a database of involvement by county.

• Identifying individuals who contribute to political campaigns, matching UNI connections to those people, and assisting with establishment of grassroots networks and legislative advocates on behalf of higher education.

• Conducting constituent research and preparing reports.

• Distributing legislative messages to internal/external audiences, including federal newsletter and Governmental Relations website.

• Conducting research about legislative candidates, state representatives and senators.

• Performing detailed tracking of the legislative process and key legislative subcommittees.

• Identifying geographic constituent audiences within key legislative districts and subcommittees.

• Typing letters, reports, and informational documents and editing as directed.




Miscellaneous duties as assigned including: Running errands in the building and on/off campus, copying reports and other materials, designing forms as requested, assisting with filing. Successful applicant will need to acquire a working knowledge of the offices within the Division and across the University in order to intelligently respond to questions. Assisting with office coverage either during the absence of staff members or during the noon hour in accordance with work schedule.

bobbythekidd wrote:I guess the jobs are that scarce. I've never heard of .25 cents over minimum wage, 20 hours a week, and a three year commitment. I gotta tell ya that seems unreasonable to me.

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:this is a gig for a freshman poli-sci guy looking to network.

if you are still looking to go in to flying or air-traffic control, don't do it.

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:this is a gig for a freshman poli-sci guy looking to network.

if you are still looking to go in to flying or air-traffic control, don't do it.

AshevilleApp wrote:You can find a job working full time at Mickey D's for $7.50 and hour, and not have the commitment.

Wedgebuster wrote:Our young man turned 25 this year, nailed down an administrative job with a county tax mill powered weed and pest district together with the insurance packages and state retirement, and just suffered his first full fledged meltdown.

Well, it seems the money doesn't go as far as was imagined, there's not enough time in a day to do everything, banks are assholes, and girlfriends have bigger meltdowns over money, etc.

But what I think really set him off was the realization that he had.......grown up.

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:besides... if you ever want to work outside of politics... keep this off your resume. I've been looking for 7 months for a job outside the campaign game... the campaign work is like a disease to corporate employers apparently. my skillset in managing a staff, operational logistics, managing a 3 million dollar budget mean nothing to companies... because it's in politics...

yeesh. avoid the field at all costs clenz...

UNI88 wrote:

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:besides... if you ever want to work outside of politics... keep this off your resume. I've been looking for 7 months for a job outside the campaign game... the campaign work is like a disease to corporate employers apparently. my skillset in managing a staff, operational logistics, managing a 3 million dollar budget mean nothing to companies... because it's in politics...

yeesh. avoid the field at all costs clenz...

Did you look at any not-for-profits? They frequently have government relations people on staff and your experience might be appealing.

My guess is that for-profits tend to be conservative and they're be scared of the helter skelter perception that campaigns have (i.e. you might be prone to rash decision making, excessive drinking and fraternizing with coworkers). You have a good skill set you might just need to package it in a way that appeals to corporations. If you have friends working in corporate environments try talking to them about your experience and get their thoughts on how it relates to their workplace.

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:

UNI88 wrote:
Did you look at any not-for-profits? They frequently have government relations people on staff and your experience might be appealing.

My guess is that for-profits tend to be conservative and they're be scared of the helter skelter perception that campaigns have (i.e. you might be prone to rash decision making, excessive drinking and fraternizing with coworkers). You have a good skill set you might just need to package it in a way that appeals to corporations. If you have friends working in corporate environments try talking to them about your experience and get their thoughts on how it relates to their workplace.

as bad as things are in the corporate world right now... they are even worse in the non-profit sector. here in MN the nonprofit sector is PACKED with people for whatever reason.

I've been talking to corporate friends (including a junior exec at nestle nutrition) but he's echoing a lot of what you said about "campaigns are erratic and they don't last more than a few years..."

frustrating to say the least.

ranty as that was... felt good to bitch about it...

D1B wrote:Fuck that. I suck dicks down at the bowling for $20 a pop, pardun the pun. If the Brewers aint playing on a Friday night, I'll make $700-900.

Look into it.

travelinman67 wrote:

D1B wrote:Fuck that. I suck dicks down at the bowling for $20 a pop, pardun the pun. If the Brewers aint playing on a Friday night, I'll make $700-900.

Look into it.

Finally you admit it: You're a crack whore.