09/18/1995 07253

LEGISLATIVE SPECIALIST 2

DEFINITION: This is advanced technical work 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 the chief staff assistant to the agency Legislative Liaison and analyzes, evaluates, and coordinates the progress of appropriation and other bills by acting as a liaison between the department and the state legislature. Work involves interpreting the cost and program implication of legislation, drafting bills, and maintaining controls on such bills through communication with the agency Legislative Liaison, 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 lower level by the complexity of the issues and the independence with which the employees performs. Supervision may be exercised over a subordinate staff of technical and clerical employees. Work is reviewed by the agency Legislative Liaison through conferences and reports for soundness of conclusions, effectiveness of results, and adherence to strategic administration policy.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Performs legislative liaison work as a chief staff assistant to the Legislative Liaison for a major department 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.

Drafts bills for the department.

Establishes and 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 testify before legislative committees on proposed 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 or directs the writing of comments for the signature of the 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: Three years of varied and broad governmental experience, including one year of work directly related to legislative analysis,

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.