Legislative Assistant

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Job Description:

The office of Senator Jama is seeking a team-oriented individual to join our office as a Legislative Assistant. The Legislative Assistant will observe, learn and support the office by performing a variety of duties and participate in different activities during the 2026 Interim and the 2027 Legislative Session. The Legislative Assistant will have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process, improve research and writing skills, participate in event coordination, strengthen communication, expand the network, and work to address the inequity and challenges in both our district and the state of Oregon.  

Ideal applicants are compassionate and creative problem solvers with an interest in government, skilled writers and clear communicators, open and receptive to feedback, and bring a positive and collaborative approach to their work. The ideal candidates will thrive in a fast-paced, flexible work environment. This position will work under the supervision of the District Director.  

Key responsibilities include: 

• Research, analyze and support Senator Jama’s legislation for the Long Session  

• Manage the Senator’s inbox and phone system  

• Draft one-pagers, talking points and memos on policy issues and legislation  

• Staff Senator Jama at town halls and different community events  

• Manage Senator Jama’s social media account and newsletter  

• Respond to constituent emails  

To view the position description in its entirety, please click here. 

This is a full-time, limited-duration position beginning in November 2026 and ending June 30, 2027. During Oregon legislative sessions, staff work in the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon.  Flexibility to work non-traditional office hours, including nights and weekends, and willingness to travel within Oregon will be required. 

How to qualify: 

Your application must demonstrate: 

A Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of related experience.  

*An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered. 

Please attach a resume and cover letter that clearly states your experience and how it is applicable to this position 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Understanding of the needs of diverse communities within Senate District 24  

• Commitment to racial justice  

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with high attention to detail  

• Proficiency in a language other than English  

• Interest in public policy issues and the legislative process  

• Dynamic, positive, highly motivated, and responsible  

• A good sense of humor and perspective amid multiple deadlines and priorities  

• Lived experiences are often as equally valuable as educational or employment experience; please apply if you think you would be a good fit.  

Senator Kayse Jama (he/him) is the first former refugee, Black Muslim and Somali-American to serve in the Oregon State Senate. In addition to serving as Senate Majority Leader, he proudly represents Senate District 24, which includes communities of East Portland, Damascus and Boring. Representing one of the most diverse districts in our state, Senator Jama comes to Salem with high hopes knowing that his lived experience and two decades of advocacy and organizing skills needed to be translated into real policy change, particularly for Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants and refugees, low-income Oregonians and rural communities. He is committed to bringing all his years of deep, on the ground relationships and the voices of our entire community with him and working to pass policies aimed at changing all our lives for the better.  

Senator Jama was born into a nomad family in Somalia. Just as the civil war erupted, he graduated from high school and lived as a refugee for many years before arriving in the United States. In 1998, Senator Jama settled in Portland where he leveraged his passion for equity and justice to better the lives of immigrants and refugees throughout the Northwest region. In 2003, he co-founded the Center for Intercultural Organizing (now Unite Oregon) - a statewide nonprofit dedicated to uplifting all Oregonians.  

During his time in the state legislature, Senator Jama has already had a proven track record of progress on democracy reform, immigrant and refugee rights, tenant protections, education equity, and criminal justice reform at the state and local levels. He currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules and as a member of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development.  

WHY THE OREGON STATE LEGISLATURE? 

• Work/life balance - paid leave and a competitive benefits package. 

• We offer full medical, vision and dental with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. 

• Collaborative work environment with a team of bright, hardworking, and fun individuals. 

• Opportunities for professional development to expand your breadth and depth of knowledge. 

• Support the creation of public policy and watch as history unfolds for the State of Oregon as ideas become crafted into policies and laws. 

• The Legislative Branch is made up of seven small-medium state agencies where you can really get to know your co-workers. 

• Considering a move to Oregon? Check out what living, working and playing in Oregon is like. 

 TO APPLY: 

• IF YOU ARE NOT A STATE EMPLOYEE: To apply for this position, follow the "Apply" link and complete the application & questions online. If this is your first time applying in our new system "Workday", you will need to create a new user profile. You can even drag and drop your resume into Workday and it will read and generate your Work History! Be sure to attach a cover letter and resume. 

• CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using the Career app on your Home Page. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job). 

• Please attach a resume and cover letter that clearly states your experience and how it is applicable to this position.  Applications received without both documents may not be considered.  

• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to you through this system. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply. 

• This announcement closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed. 

SPECIAL INFORMATION:  

• The Capitol building is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR  97301.  Regardless of any remote work agreement granted by your Appointing Authority in accordance with Legislative Branch Personnel Rule 26, you may be required to report to the Capitol Building under short notice.  Every effort will be made to provide reasonable notice.  While working from home, personal, stable, and high-speed internet access will be required to perform the functions of this position. 

• Oregon state government provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235. If you are requesting veterans' preference, you may receive an additional questionnaire in your Workday account. In order to ensure your privacy, we are asking that you complete the Veterans’ Questionnaire and attach your qualifying military documents at that time. This questionnaire will be sent to your Workday account after you submit your application. We ask that you complete the questionnaire before the application deadline; extensions may be granted if necessary and reasonable. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources. Or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. 

• The salary in this job posting reflects the base salary without contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). Employees eligible for PERS will have their salary increased by 6.95% and 6% will be automatically be subject to a mandatory employee contribution to PERS. 

• The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum qualifications and desired skills listed above. 

• An offer including salary will not be extended until an equal pay analysis is completed pursuant to ORS 652.220 and 659A.357.  An equal pay analysis will be conducted utilizing the education and work experience section of the legislative application. 

• Work Authorization:  The Oregon State Legislature does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. The Oregon State Legislature is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States. 

• If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Aimee Steketee, Human Resource Analyst, at aimee.steketee@oregonlegislature.gov or (503) 986-1373. 

• The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Workforce Diversity.