Legislative Analyst

State of Florida

About The Position

This is work functioning as a technical expert to a legislative committee, legislators, and the public on the subject matter under the jurisdiction of the committee. Under close supervision of the staff director and committee members, the legislative analyst applies this expertise when researching and preparing staff analyses, reports, legislation, and amendments; responding to inquiries; and developing correspondence.

Requirements

Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research.
Knowledge of applicable computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
Knowledge of Florida state government, legislative rules, and procedures.
Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, and organization.
Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
Ability to produce quality work under pressure.
Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of Legislators, their staff, and the public.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and to contribute to the efficient internal functioning of the committee staff.
Ability to conduct in-depth, carefully documented and credible analysis under minimal supervision within established deadlines.
Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to collect and analyze data.
Ability to organize data into logical formats for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in research, analysis, program planning and evaluation, or administrative work.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.
A doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for two years of the required experience.
Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education

Responsibilities

Analyzes and objectively summarizes proposed legislation to determine its effectiveness and the impact of its passage on the state and other entities and individuals.
Researches and drafts legislation and amendments to legislation at the direction of the committee chair, committee members, and other legislators.
Assists in planning full committee and/or subcommittee meetings to include agenda, speakers, presentations, and materials.
Monitors the implementation of legislation in the Executive and Judicial Branches to ascertain that legislative intent is met.
Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
Conceives, plans, and conducts research projects and performs legislatively mandated studies.
Prepares oral and written reports on research and committee work such as end of session committee reports, interim projects, and oversight reports which include recommendations for legislative action.
Provides information and problem-solving assistance to legislators, their constituents, and the public.
Prepares letters, summaries, talk-sheets or speeches, reports, and informational memoranda on committee issues at the request of the committee chair, other legislators or staff director.
Keeps abreast of new and ongoing issues affecting assigned area of responsibility by collecting resource materials, attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, communicating with agency personnel, and the public.
Assists in the coordination of the work of the administrative assistant, legislative intern, and other staff members.
Serves as liaison with state agencies.
May operate a computer to perform word processing, database management, and/or spreadsheet applications.
Performs other related duties as required.