Legislative Director

New York State Senator-Elect Iwen Chu has an immediate opening for a Legislative Director based out of Albany. The Legislative Director develops and drives an ambitious budgetary and policy agenda in collaboration with the Senator, staff colleagues, other elected and government officials, constituents, and advocacy organizations. Strong writing skills, previous state legislative experience strongly preferred, interpersonal/communication skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and capacity to undertake multiple projects and responsibilities are a must. 

Core responsibilities include: 

  • Drive a legislative agenda, develop advocacy strategies, and build and manage coalitions. 

  • Draft and advance bills through the legislative process. 

  • Research legislative, budgetary, and policy issues. Read and analyze bills for committee and floor votes. 

  • Engage and negotiate with advocates and colleagues in and out of government. Represent the office and staff the Senator at meetings and public events.

  • Manage legislative aides, fellows, and interns.

  • Draft correspondence, briefings, talking points, presentations, and other materials.

  • Regular attendance and participation in structured legislative team meetings 

  • Other duties as assigned by the Senator and senior staff 

Qualifications:

  • Experience with government and politics, ideally state-level legislative, budgetary, and policymaking processes, preferably but not necessarily in New York.

  • Experience managing projects and multi-tasking in a complex environment.

  • Very strong oral and written communication and analytical skills. Must be able to succinctly summarize key information for the Senator and staff. 

  • Highly diligent and attentive to detail

  • Exemplary judgment and political sensitivity.

  • Must be a team player 

  • Ability to work long hours during session, including evenings and weekends

  • JD candidates encouraged to apply 

Salary

Starting Salary is $80,000, and is commensurate with experience. The positions come with an excellent benefits package including health, dental, optical, transit, and retirement benefits.

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter, resume, and references if you would like to provide them at this stage of the process, as a single document in PDF format to TeamIwen@iwenchu.com.

All applications will be kept confidential. The New York State Senate is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse and equitable workforce.

Legislative Aide

New York State Senator-Elect Iwen Chu has an immediate opening for a Legislative Aide based out of Albany. Strong writing skills, interpersonal/communication skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and capacity to undertake multiple projects and responsibilities are a must. The selected candidate will work closely under the Policy Director and in conjunction with interns/fellows as a valued member of the Senator’s policy team. 

Core responsibilities include assisting the Legislative Director with: 

  • Execution of the legislative agenda including bill drafting and introduction 

  • Building and managing relationships with key stakeholders including advocacy coalitions, legal practitioners, and Senate Central staff 

  • Drafting background policy memos on a range of topics including small business, transportation, education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, the annual budget, and other areas 

  • Analysis of bills on committee and floor agendas 

  • Preparation for and attendance at meetings with outside stakeholders such as lobbyists and advocacy groups 

  • Regular attendance and participation in structured legislative team meetings 

  • Administrative support such as submission of cosponsorship requests, e-signatures, and filing

  • Assisting with supervision of legislative interns/fellows

  • Shared commitment to and execution of constituent services along with the rest of the Senator’s team 

  • Other duties as assigned by the Senator and senior staff 

Qualifications:

  • Albany legislative experience preferred

  • Extremely strong research and writing skills. Ability to quickly and autonomously master a range of different policy areas with minimal support.

  • Excellent policy writing skills. Must be able to succinctly summarize key information for the Senator and staff. 

  • Highly diligent and attentive to detail

  • Exemplary political judgment 

  • Must be a team player and ready to deliver constituent services 

  • Ability to work long hours during session, including evenings and weekends

  • JD candidates encouraged to apply 

Salary

Starting Salary is $40,000, and is commensurate with experience. The positions come with an excellent benefits package including health, dental, optical, transit, and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter, resume, writing sample and references if you would like to provide them at this stage of the process, as a single document in PDF format to TeamIwen@iwenchu.com.

All applications will be kept confidential. The New York State Senate is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse and equitable workforce.