Job Description

As a legislative aide, or legislative assistant, you will help legislators carry out their duties
more efficiently by assisting in research, administration and communications. This means
having strong communication skills and the ability multitask. You may be part of a team of
legislative aides in the office of a congressman or senator. You will likely be assigned to focus
on on a specific policy area, such as, education, peace and order, the environment or tax.
Legislators are generally assigned to committees, and the policy focus of legislative aides will
usually depend on which committee the congressman or senator heads.

One of the key duties of a legislative aide is research. As legislators are concerned with passing
laws, it’s critical that legislative aides thoroughly research proposed legislation by attending
committee hearings and getting copies of different testimonies and records. If your legislator is
the one proposing legislation, you may have to research studies that will strengthen the bill.

A legislative aide will also assist in communications, connecting the legislator he or she serves and the
people and agencies who want to get in touch with him or her. Furthermore, an aide will be arranging
meetings and events for the legislator, maybe even attending on his or her behalf.

Overview of the Job

The primary job responsibility of a legislative aide is to provide
support services to the elected official. All elected officials serve
their constituents. Aides may take phone calls from constituents
wishing to voice their opinion on an issue. Sometimes, aides must
think creatively to solve a problem for a constituent.

Another major part of the job is to perform research for the elected
official, including legal research. Legislative aides must understand
the issues that affect the constituency and the general opinions of
the constituency. Aides prepare reports that keep the elected
official informed on all relevant and recent matters. These reports
can significantly influence governmental policies, decision-making
and the preparedness of the official.

A Day in the Life of a Legislative

Aide
Legislative aides perform a wide range of activities during a typical
workday. These may include the following:
  Coordinate and attend meetings
 Assist with the drafting of speeches, press releases and
legislation
 Conduct and summarize legal research, research studies and
constituent surveys
 Speak with constituents and solve problems, often by directing
them to appropriate governmental resources or providing
information

Legislative aides who remain on the job for several years may
become invaluable advisors to their elected officials. They may also
be entrusted with delicate and sensitive matters, such as drafting
legislation.

Legislative Aide Role Purpose

The purpose of a Legislative Aide is to provide support to a Member of Parliament (MP) or a Member of the
Legislative Assembly (MLA) in their daily activities. The role involves researching policy issues, preparing
briefings and correspondence, attending meetings and events, responding to queries from the public, and
generally contributing to the effective operation of the office. Legislative Aides may also be expected to help
devise and implement strategies for the MP or MLA to advance their political aims.

Legislative Aide Role

A Legislative Aide is a professional who provides support to elected members of parliament or other
legislative bodies, such as assisting with the drafting of legislation, researching and advising on policy issues,
and responding to constituents' inquiries.

Legislative Aide Duties

 Providing administrative and clerical support to a legislator or legislative staff

 Conducting research on legislative topics
 Drafting, editing and proofreading legislative documents
 Assisting with the development, implementation and tracking of legislative initiatives
 Attending legislative hearings and meetings
 Providing legislative analyses and summaries
 Maintaining an up-to-date legislative database
Legislative Clerk
Key Responsibilities Include:
Duties & Responsibilities:
  Provide Council meeting secretariat duties including preparation of council meeting agenda
packages and meeting minutes through the municipal meeting management software system.
 Provide meeting secretariat duties for municipal committees, as required.
 Assist with the after-Council task assignment process through the municipal meeting
management software system.
 Assist with appointments to municipal and Community Boards and Committees which
Council members reside and the maintenance of the associated records.
 Participate in the administration of legislative services projects including municipal elections,
by-elections, and municipal census.
 Maintain the legislative documentation filing systems for municipal bylaws, policies,
directives, and procedures.
 Undertake legislative services records filing and documentation tracking.
 Assist with drafting and distribution of Council and CAO correspondence.
 Issue public notification of all official activities and meetings, as required.
 Assist with routine administrative tasks pertaining to the Legislative and Information
Services department.
 Assist with online research and report preparation, as required.
Requirements:
Qualifications:

 Minimum of 2 years local government administrative/office experience required; experience

with government administration and/or legislation would be a definite asset.
 Minimum grade 12 diploma required; post-secondary education relevant to local government
or office administration would be a definite asset.
 Must be professional and reliable with proven interpersonal and communication skills.
 Excellent computer skills including proficiency with MS Office and meeting management
software; experience with eScribe Meeting Management Software would be an asset.
 Ability to demonstrate exceptional organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills.
 Ability to keep all matters confidential and protected from disclosure.