How to become A Congressional Aide

• Congressional District Aide
• Scheduler
• Administrative Assistant
• Administrative Secretary
• Executive/Legislative Assistant
• Legislative Correspondent
• Office Manager
• Systems Administrator
• District Scheduler
• Legislative Aide
• Staff Assistant

What do Congressional Aides do?

A Congressional Aide would typically need to:

• Perform administrative, clerical, budgetary, and other assigned duties for the Member of Congress (MOC) they work for; obtain information as needed, and assist with election campaigns
• Transcribe reports and type letters; operate office equipment; open and sort mail; file correspondence, notes, reports, documents, and travel-related information
• Log and monitor the MOC’s incoming telephone calls; take messages and place outgoing calls as requested
• Occasionally compose correspondence in response to written requests; respond to all invitations, either in writing or by telephone; and maintain files of invitations that have been declined, accepted, or tentative/pending
• Act as a liaison between the Member of Congress and their office staff, committee staff, other politicians & their staff, constituents (the voters who elect the members), visitors, public, embassies, commissioners, relevant interest groups, the media, and voluntary organizations
• Liaise with party headquarters, members of government, local governments, and other offices & agencies to arrange for their MOC’s attendance at meetings or to coordinate travel plans
• Answer requests for information and assistance from constituents and the public, by phone or in person, using knowledge of or by occasionally contacting governmental or private agencies and referring to programs and source materials, such as agency listings and directories
• Serve as a confidential assistant in all matters affecting the MOC’s performance of their official responsibilities
• Make reservations for the MOC’s air travel, ground transportation, and lodging; prepare detailed itineraries including significant numbers, locations, and contact names; submit vouchers for travel and expense reimbursement
• Prepare monthly projected schedules and the daily schedule for staff meetings and briefings for the Member of Congress; distribute copies to Washington, D.C. and district offices
• Ensure provision of briefing materials for each relevant event by coordinating with event participants and the appropriate legislative and district staff; help draft amendments, and take minutes at meetings
• Coordinate scheduling of press, interviews, radio and television time with the Press Secretary, and photo opportunities with constituents
• Organize documentation and materials for annual financial disclosure reports; carry out the necessary research on legislation, local, regional, national and international issues, so the Member of Congress is aware of any relevant matters
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates; maintain a good working relationship with the Member of Congress, staff, and constituents; manage the internship and page program

Many Congressional Aides work on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and others in the local district or state offices. The Congressional Management Foundation reports that 44 percent of House of Representatives staff and 35 percent of Senate staff find work in the home-state offices of their members of Congress. The work environment varies substantially, depending on where you are based. One day you may work directly in the office where noise levels are usually moderate, and the next, you may find yourself traveling to meetings or events with your Member of Congress and may be required to spend time away from home. The dress code is likely to be business formal.

Long hours and an unusual schedule may be the norm during sessions, but breaks and vacations mirror that of the Member of Congress you work for. When Congress is not in session, work is likely to adhere to regular business hours.

Congressional Aides are federal employees, typically hired by the 100 senators and 435 representatives elected as members of the Congress to the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. To check out available positions, you can visit the US Senate Employment Bulletin, published as a service to Senate offices choosing to advertise staff vacancies.

Congressional Aides are generally employed by:

• The United States Congress
• Senators
• Representatives

Unions do not represent them but, Congressional Aides benefit from the research, publications, training, and management services that the Congressional Management Foundation offers.

Professional associations and organizations offer crucial resources to those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Congressional Aide.

• Varied schedules (nights, days, weekends, etc.) with long hours spent sitting in cramped quarters
• Work that is repetitive, fast-paced, stressful (especially during elections due to work pressures and job uncertainty)
• Need to multitask as well as compromise and work on policies you may disagree with
• Competitive entry and lower salaries than the private sector, with some occasional out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation

Attend formal meetings of school clubs and get involved in school government and school committees to gain a thorough understanding of the government and how it works. Besides classes in journalism, English, and speech, reporting for your school newspaper, will help you gain confidence in writing press releases and letters and researching current issues as a Congressional Aide.

Fluency in a popular foreign language would prove valuable since many Members of Congress represent people whose first language may not be English. Office experience, of at least a year, particularly in a congressional office, is beneficial in addition to experience making travel reservations and arrangements. Three to five years of related work experience may be accepted instead.

Most Members of Congress look for Aides with a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as political science, public administration, communication, or a degree relevant to the committee they would work for. Additional courses in government, civics, social studies, and history would be useful.

There are no certification or licensing requirements for Congressional Aides. Voluntary certification is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions.

Successful certification programs seek to serve and protect the public welfare and are responsible for investigating individuals that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. By protecting the public welfare, a profession earns trust and respect, which are the most important elements in securing a professional’s future.

Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms while Members of the Senate serve six-year terms. The length of time a Congressional Aide is employed may depend on their MOC’s term in office. Advancement as a Congressional Aide directly depends on ability, workplace experience, and willingness to make personal sacrifices to complete work efficiently and on time.

Anyone on staff can rise through the ranks to the post of Administrative Assistant (Chief of Staff), the highest office on Congressional staff. While not everyone can reach this position, those who exhibit the ability to assume greater responsibilities are likely to progress to higher offices.

Legislative Directors and State and District Directors are well-placed to step into this role. Legislative Assistants, State Office Managers, and District Office Managers are in the best position to move into their respective directors' jobs. The top secretarial position is that of Personal Secretary, and any of the other secretaries can aspire to that position or that of Scheduler.

Any of the administrative staff, such as the receptionist or the mailroom manager, can work toward the position of Office Manager. Some Congressional staff members eventually decide to pursue elected office as a Senator or Representative.

The best positions for having an impact are legislative positions on committee staff and leadership staff, which can be reached through seniority and having established strong connections with the right individuals.

A master’s or PhD, work in a relevant industry, or work in other parts of government can also lead to more senior congressional staffer positions. Later in your career, a Congressional Aide could get top positions in federal agencies or run for office.

Any experience working in a similar role or working for a public official is helpful. On-the-job training prepares Congressional Aides for higher responsibilities. There are workshops available to strengthen skills or work within software programs; however, this is not a job requirement.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of professionals towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It stops practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated, allows individuals to identify any knowledge gaps, and allows professionals to progress to a new specialism.

Congressional Aides work for US senators and representatives. They assist with a variety of congressional duties, from administrative details to extensive research on legislation. A Member of Congress (MOC) can hire Aides to help them with diverse day-to-day responsibilities. A Congressional Aide can support a committee within Congress as well. Though not a requirement, a Member of Congress may prefer to hire an Aide from their home state or district. Personal and Committee Staff Congressional Aides may work as personal staff or committee staff. The committee staff are more strictly concerned with work that involves the construction and passage of legislation, while the personal staff also deal with matters concerning the home state.

Personal Aides are generally loyal supporters of their Members of Congress and their political philosophies, but may hold differing views on more common issues than a Member of Congress. An Aide's opinion can have an impact on a MOC’s decision.

Relevant to the Lawmaking Process

Some Members of Congress complain that having too many Aides distances the senators and representatives from constituents, legislation, and the general requirements of their work. Even these critics admit that Aides are essential to the lawmaking process. Congressional Aides see the lawmaking process at work - sometimes right on the Senate floor.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Many constituents expect Aides to help them make their voices and opinions heard. Congressional Aides distribute information to keep their Members of Congress and the people they represent updated on national and local concerns.

Staff Roles

Members of Congress usually employ a Chief of Staff, an Office Manager, a Personal Secretary, Legislative Assistants, a Legislative Correspondent, a Press Secretary, State and District Directors, and Constituent Services Representatives.

Chief of Staff / Administrative Assistant

The Chief of Staff or Administrative Assistant, who oversees other Congressional Aides, is the most influential employee in a MOC’s employ. They have experience working closely with a Member of Congress, gaining their trust and respect in matters of politics, legislation, and individual bills.

Office Managers, Secretaries, and Mailroom Managers

Office Managers handle the actual running of the office. They attend to the management of office clerical staff, including hiring, staff scheduling, and other personnel matters.

Administrative Assistant

Secretaries provide clerical support to the Chief of Staff; Personal Secretaries attend to the MOC’s administrative and clerical needs, including daily scheduling, expense accounts, and personal correspondence.

Mailroom Managers devise plans for handling the enormous crush of mail that arrives in congressional offices each day. They maintain mass mailing records and prepare reports on mail volume and contents.

Legislative Staff

Legislative staff assist the Member of Congress with the research of bills and other legislative duties to make sure the Member of Congress can make informed decisions on issues.

Legislative Assistants brief the Member of Congress on the status of a particular legislation they specialize in and prepare floor statements, amendments, and speeches. Legislative Correspondents are responsible for researching and drafting responses to letters received in the MOC’s offices. Press Secretaries Press Secretaries are the primary spokespersons for Members of Congress in their dealings with the media and the public. They respond to daily inquiries from the press, plan media coverage, coordinate press conferences, prepare press releases, review daily newspapers, and write content for blogs, social media sites, as well as Tweets.

State and District Directors

State and District Directors are responsible for state or district office operations, helping the Member of Congress maintain close interaction with constituents. Directors also plan the MOC’s visits to the state, sometimes accompanying them on a state tour.

Schedulers and Constituent Services Representatives/Caseworkers

Schedulers handle all the MOC’s scheduling of appointments. Constituent Services Representatives, also known as Caseworkers, work directly with people having difficulties with the federal government in such areas as veterans' claims, social security, and tax returns.

Get an Early Start - Join The Page Program

An extremely valuable—but highly competitive—learning opportunity is to work as a page. Pages serve members of the Senate (the House of Representatives closed its program in 2011). The length of a page's service varies from one summer to one year. Contact your state's senator for an application. Tips for entry include participating in the U.S. Senate page program. Contact the offices of your senators for more information about being a page.

To start gaining experience in politics, you can also get involved in student government or debate clubs at college. Volunteering to help with a campaign and finding internship opportunities in Washington D.C. help in building a network.

Helping Interns

Congressional Aides compile internship applications for consideration by the Member of Congress. They train and orient new interns. Together with the legislative staff, they assign daily intern duties; draft letters verifying internship experience; provide written intern agreements and necessary documentation or reports to interns’ schools; ensure that interns are provided with work-related educational opportunities, and maintain files on all past and present interns. Salary An Aide’s salary is up to their Member of Congress to determine. According to the U.S. Senate, each Member of Congress receives a Members’ Representational Allowance (or MRA). It is a fixed sum used for “official expenses including, for example, staff, travel, mail, office equipment, district office rental, stationery, and other office supplies.”

A Competitive Field

A Member of Congress can employ a set number of staff members, making the post of a Congressional Aide very competitive. Each MOC can have up to eighteen permanent employees and four additional employees if they meet specific requirements.

Students as young as 16 years apply for the post of Page to a Member of the US Senate - to run messages across Capitol Hill on a steep climb to the prized position of Congressional Aide.

As a Congressional Aide and the “right hand” of your Member of Congress, you embark on a journey of learning and experience where no two days may be similar, depending on the tasks you are assigned. As you continue to multitask in the office, liaise with a variety of people and organizations, and learn more about government policy and legislation, you will prepare yourself not only for higher congressional staff roles but also mayhaps become a member of Congress yourself with your Aide.

Make use of the opportunity to work as a Congressional staffer, maybe on a committee, to expand your expertise and get involved with a broader range of topics. You will learn a great deal, and it might be an experience you will not trade for any other!