Legislative Assistant @ Action Circles

About Action Circles

Action Circles is a political strategy firm that offers its clients a full range of services, including political strategy and lobbying services, campaign planning, messaging & earned media, content development for print and online materials, organizational capacity building, and meeting facilitation and design. We offer guidance and assistance in growing organizations, running campaigns, speaking people’s truth in a way that is heard, and getting to their storybook ending. The Action Circles Model of Organizing has been developed over many years and can be applied in many different ways – it is tested and effective both at the grassroots level and in the Vermont Statehouse. While the Legislature is in session, we work primarily in the Statehouse providing lobbying services for our clients. Outside of the legislative session, we work remotely or in the field on campaign planning, organizational capacity building, and our other non-lobbying services.

Legislative Assistant Position

Action Circles is seeking to hire two Legislative Assistants for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. This position is an opportunity to develop a deep knowledge about the legislative process, including how a bill becomes law, Statehouse procedures and jargon, the development of the annual state budget, and who the key players are for key issues. Legislative Assistants will monitor committee work related to our clients’ issues and goals, observe the committee process in the Statehouse and provide detailed notes from committee meetings and hearings. Successful candidates will gain experience by observing and potentially participating in some of these activities, as opportunities arise. Assistants will also have the opportunity to sit in on client meetings and potentially help with projects for our clients. We encourage anyone to apply for this position.

Preferred skills and qualities:
- listening closely to what is said and reporting back to the team accurately
- keeping client information and team conversations confidential
- being reliable and prepared to work in Montpelier each day (Tuesday-Friday)
- typing detailed notes and sometimes transcribing as meetings are happening
- being able to summarize key points quickly after a meeting ends
- following instructions with an attention to detail
- working with a team in a fast-paced environment, where your schedule may change often - throughout the day (must be flexible)
- using google drive, youtube, zoom, and other platforms to monitor meetings, take notes, and engage in our team activities
- a general interest in how policy is made and how government works

We can help you develop some of these skills as part of your job experience; however, we will have high expectations from the start. A solid work ethic, a commitment to showing up, a sense of goodwill and a willingness to go with the flow will be the most important qualities you bring at the start. A computer and smartphone are required for this position – you may use your own, or we can provide you with the equipment needed for the duration of the position. You will use these daily and must be willing to be “online” throughout the workday.

Orientation

The position begins with an intensive orientation in November 2024 and wraps up when the legislative session adjourns in May 2025. Our team provides the orientation in November and December with (paid) breaks for the holidays. We will work with successful candidates to determine an orientation schedule that works for them.

Compensation

Both of these positions are temporary and salaried based on $25/hour for 34 hours per week. Legislative Assistants are expected to be in Montpelier, VT, Tuesday – Friday from 8:30-5:00pm during the legislative session to work alongside our lobbying team. The session begins in early January, 2025 (some of the orientation will be remote and some in-person in Montpelier will be required). Reliable transportation to Montpelier is required for this position. There is the option to carpool with Action Circles staff from South Royalton / Exit 3 on I-89.

Please send a letter of interest and your resume to Cindy Metcalf at cindy@action-circles.com. We will be interviewing and filling these positions as soon as possible.