Columbus, OH –
Legislative Fellowship Program – Ohio Legislative Service Commission
AkronLawJobs No. 10080 Overview: The Ohio General Assembly has sponsored a legislative
fellowship program for over 50 years. Traditionally, 23 fellows are chosen for
the program.
Program Objectives: Encourage
outstanding college graduates to pursue careers in public service; Provide
practical experience in the legislative process and legislative research;
Develop a group of trained personnel from which persons may be recruited for
permanent staff positions; Provide staff assistance to Ohio’s elected officials
Duties: LSC fellows
engage in numerous activities and are given a variety of responsibilities.
Specific duties depend on a fellow’s assignment; however, most fellows perform
some common duties. Fellows’ duties usually include writing assignments such as
press releases, newsletters, speeches, and committee memorandums. You may also
be asked to research public policy issues or legislation, and attend committee
and other meetings. Occasionally, a fellow may be asked to travel to a member’s
district for events and/or meetings Fellows also assist with various office and
administrative duties These may include but are not limited to, database
maintenance, scheduling, filing, and office correspondence.
Qualifications: You must have
completed at least a BA/BS by December 2019. Must have a strong academic record
and excellent written and oral communication skills. Ohio residents and
nonresidents may apply. Prior political involvement or participation in a
political party is not required.
Benefits: LSC fellows are
paid $31,200 annually with an opportunity to earn an additional bonus of up to
$2,000 upon completion of the program. Fellows receive sick leave,
personal leave, vacation leave, and paid holidays, and at the discretion of
LSC, may receive compensatory time off for overtime worked. Fellows are
immediately eligible to participate in the health care plan offered by the
state and, after one year of continuous state service, are eligible for dental
and vision coverage. All fellows must participate in the Ohio Public Employees
Retirement System. Deductions made on behalf of the retirement system are
refundable, according to current federal law and state regulations, upon
termination of state employment.
Hours: The required
work hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5:00. Depending on the activity of
the General Assembly, you may be asked to work late hours or to come in
early.
Informational Tours: LSC offers
informational tours on most Mondays and Fridays through March. These brief
sessions provide detailed information about the program, which may assist
individuals in deciding whether or not to apply for a fellowship
position. The tours also provide an opportunity for prospective applicants
to meet program staff and current fellows, and to see the Vern Riffe Center and
the Statehouse. To sign up for a tour, contact program assistant Stefanie
Thurman at (614) 644-1326.
How to Apply: (1) Application, (2) resume, (3)
unofficial transcript from EACH college and university attended (for more than
one quarter or semester), (4) two SEALED letters of recommendation from persons
familiar with your academic work, employment experience, extracurricular
activities, and/or community activities. Letters of recommendation should not
be requested from an elected public official unless you were employed by the
public official and the official can comment specifically on your performance
and work habits; (5) a two-four-page typewritten personal statement. The
requirement will be used to evaluate your writing skills and to help the
selection committee learn more about you. You must MAIL your application packet. It must be POSTMARKED
by APRIL 1, 2019. Mail to:
Ohio Legislative Service Commission, Legislative
Fellowship Program, Vern Riffe Center, 77 South High Street, Ninth Floor, Columbus,
OH 43215-6136
Deadline: Must be POSTMARKED by April 1, 2019