Legislative Analyst

General Summary

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.

Examples of Work Performed

• 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.
• Aids in planning full committee and/or subcommittee meetings to include agenda, speakers, presentations, and materials.
• Maintains oversight of legislation implementation in the Executive and Judicial Branches to ensure legislative intent is met.
• Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
• Presents 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.
• Aids 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.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• 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.
• Reading comprehension, analysis, and organization skills.
• Effective and concise verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to take action in situations lacking 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Working for the Florida Legislature

• Includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement.
• Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Learn more below!

Health and Dental Insurance

• Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage.
• Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
• Dental insurance offers a PPO plan that pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges.
• The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
• Dental insurance has a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year.

Life and Disability Insurance

• Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage.
• The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
• Disability insurance offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days.
• The Legislature pays the total premium.

Retirement

• Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees.
• New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan.
• New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date.
• Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium.

Florida Pre-Tax Plan And Deferred Compensation Plan

• This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis.
• The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability.
• The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts.
• A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered.
• The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.

Paid Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Personal Holiday

Total Compensation Statement

The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $50,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.