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U.S. legislative staff

To communicate effectively with legislators on issues that concern you, it is important to have some knowledge of the key staff positions.

Administrative Assistant/Chief of Staff

The Administrative Assistant or Chief of Staff is generally responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the legislator’s office.

Legislative Director

The Legislative Director is generally responsible for monitoring and managing many of the legislative activities of the legislator’s office, including the legislator’s committee-related activities, the drafting and cosponsorship of legislation, and the supervision of Legislative Assistants.

Legislative Assistant

Legislative Assistants are generally responsible for tracking pending legislation and keeping the legislator apprised of constituent interest and opinion. Each Legislative Assistant in an office is typically assigned a specific set of issues such as defense, banking, taxes, agriculture, health care, etc.

Press Secretary/Communications Director

The Press Secretary acts in many ways as a spokesperson for the legislator and is usually responsible for promoting the legislator’s positions and perspectives to the media, the legislator’s constituency, as well as the general public. A Press Secretary may also assist the legislator with drafts of certain types of public communications, such as press releases and statements.

Scheduler

The Member’s Scheduler is responsible for allocating a legislator’s time among the many demands that arise from legislative responsibilities, staff requirements, and constituent requests. Scheduling travel to and from the legislator’s district, as well as meetings with constituents or other groups is typically part of the Scheduler’s duties as well.

Caseworker

The Caseworker is the staff member usually assigned to help constituents resolve problems with federal agencies: federal payments and benefits such as Social Security and Medicare benefits, veterans benefits, passports, and other federal issues.

Other staff

Other titles used in an elected official’s office may include: Executive Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Executive Secretary, Projects Manager, Office Manager, Systems Administrator, and Receptionist.