09/18/1995 07251

LEGISLATIVE AIDE

DEFINITION: This is technical work assisting in the analysis and evaluation of legislation having fiscal, program or legal implications on the functions of a department.

An employee in this class functions as a staff assistant to the agency Legislative Liaison and Legislative Specialists through the analysis of data, statistical program research, interviewing program managers, and summarizing comments from interest groups, publications and officials of other states and the Federal Government. Work involves interpreting the cost and program implication of legislation, assisting in drafting bills, conducting and assisting in the conduct of statistical and program effectiveness studies, and assisting the agency Legislative Liaison in communicating information and agency comments to the Governor's Legislative Office and members of the Legislature and their staffs. Work includes the review, compilation, and evaluation of legislative comments from departmental program and administrative personnel. Work is distinguished from the Legislative Specialist classes by the supervision received during the conduct of studies, the technical direction provided by the Legislative Liaison, and the limited interpretation of study data and conclusions. Work is reviewed by the agency Legislative Liaison through conferences and reports for soundness of study methodology, effective writing, and comprehensive coverage of the issue.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs legislative liaison work as a staff assistant to the Legislative Liaison on legislation having fiscal, program or legal implications on the functions of the department.

Analyzes and reports on proposed and enacted legislation with fiscal, program or legal effects to determine legislative intent, consistency, impact on existing functions, estimated cost, and predicted future legislative action.

Assists in drafting bills for the department.

Maintains controls on legislation, as directed by the agency Legislative Liaison, through close observation of the Legislative Calendar, communication with Governor's Legislative Office, and meetings with members of the House and Senate, and their staffs.

Maintains close contact with the House and Senate to ascertain the status of legislation, to answer questions from the legislative committees on proposed legislation and to answer questions from the legislature on the fiscal, program and legal implications of bills.

Reviews comments from departmental program and administrative personnel and writes reports and draft position papers for the signature of the Legislative Liaison or department head to the Governor's Legislative Office.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the legislative process in the Commonwealth.

Knowledge of legislative research source, techniques and methods.

Knowledge of the governmental structure of the Commonwealth.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public fiscal administration.

Knowledge of statistical methods and procedures and their use in presenting data.

Knowledge of the structure and program of the appropriate department.

Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret legislation, regulations, and legal procedures.

Ability to draft legislation.

Ability to maintain essential records and files.

Ability to organize and present clear and concise oral and written reports on findings and recommendations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, representatives from other governmental agencies, and the General Assembly.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of governmental experience, including one year of work directly related to legislative analysis,

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.