Staff assistants in the House and Senate are paid in the same way. Apply for Capitol Hill Production Associate - Hiring Fast at Evergreen Goodwill Of Northwest Washington today! The median salary for a Congressional Chief of Staff in the United States is $278,233, and his or her annual salary ranges between $57,826 and $798,468. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Faith and Law, for example, explores the intersection between your faith and professional practice, also linked below. Licensed Practical Nurses ( LPNs) will be offered a base wage of $23 and up per hour. Capitol Hill is a great place to work, whether youre just starting your career or have been staff for a while. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Moving to a city -- especially an expensive city like Washington, DC -- is a risky move when you dont have a job. According to the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, there are almost no more apartments in D.C.s open market that rent for less than $800 a month. Patricia Murphy covers national politics for The Daily Beast. Typically, there is far more work than there are people, so everyone has their hands full and that can lead to burn out. The aide in charge of preparing background materials and testifying in front of Congress is a member of Congress. Backing CHH is an even bigger deal this year as the developer works to open its 12th Ave Arts project which will create theater and nonprofit office space, retail and affordable housing. But the traditional perks that one asks for such as more time off, a bigger bonus or travel and entertainment budget are still not part of the job culture. CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. For offices that dont have diverse staff yet, outside advisers could fill in, Thornell said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Working On Capitol Hill Is The Worlds Best Job (Or At Least My Best Ever). What Is HillFaith, Who Is Mark Tapscott And Why Should You Care? In addition to overseeing daily front office operations, the Staff Assistant manages constituent requests for information, tours, and meetings, as well as answering the phone. King is a recent Georgetown Law graduate and former Capitol Hill intern. Robert Half (LogOut/ Capitol Hill, WA 13 days ago Payroll & Benefits Manager Description Our reputable client is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Manager to join the company. And if you run into enough people, youre bound to get some help. The ability to communicate with constituents, answer phone calls, or respond to emails is a common responsibilities. The way you present yourself in networking situations will make a lasting impression onto others. Flexible Spending Accounts. In college, she interned for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus but quickly realized the career wasnt for her. Staffers working in Congress may be required to work overtime during legislative sessions. This is not atypical. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) It may take working on a few campaigns before you get your opportunity at a Capitol Hill job, but keep doing good work, and good things will happen eventually. Only one of my friends managed to land a full-time position on the Hill, and only because he had the family resources necessary to work unpaid in D.C. for nearly a year, waiting for a position to open up. (LogOut/ endstream
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(LogOut/ The Senate Placement Office performs two key functions for senators offices and committees. The less obvious wisdom only comes with experience, so here it is: Nothing willshape your experience more than who you work for and what kind of a boss that person is. The wealth divide gets compounded by student debt. Pericak, 27, is one of three NFL players who have been working on Capitol Hill as part of a crash-course three-week externship program run by the NFL Players Association. Apply for full-time jobs, part-time jobs, student jobs, internships and temp jobs. Thanks for calling. Your boss does the courageous every day. Shes been tracking the diversity or lack thereof among top congressional staff in recent years. DAVIDSONVILLE, MD. 0
Many interns look for housing in the nearby Georgetown Law and George Washington University dormitories, where summer rents reach $400 per week. So, what do you do when you have a day like Alexanders Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, a favorite childrens book. Student veteran success in higher learning and jobs Veterans' health care and earned benefits The transition from military to civilian life Challenges facing service members and their families Ortiz, who during the fellowship attended Rhode Island College in Providence, graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in accounting. Glassdoor users anonymously report 208 salaries on average. Now Brenson works at the nonprofit Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, seeking to measure what she once saw for herself on Capitol Hill. The annual salary for a Press Assistant in the United States Senate is $57,284, according to Payscale. Making those connections and serving as bridge builders between offices with similar interests is a vital role that advocates and experts can play. Thats just the bottom line.. Following her fellowship year, she joined the office of Congressman TonyCrdenas as a Legislative Counsel focusing on issues of criminal justice and civil rights with a special emphasis on juvenile justice. It is possible to anonymously submit salary records to Comparably. But he was still shocked to see how some of his co-workers could afford to live. Employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible health and dependent care expenses. According to staffers, here are the best: The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. The top 86% of Congressional Chiefs of Staff earn $798,468, while the middle 57% earn $278,234 to $451,567. The country still hasn't recovered from the Wall Street-induced . In reality, those who manage to do so rely on their parents to pay the difference. Each congressional office is its own employing entity. According to the Office of Personnel Management. Apply Now. More short-term benefits include the excitement that comes with preparing and helping a Congressman or woman fulfill their duty to the constituents. Many young people with their newly printed political science, public policy and law degrees set their sights on Capitol Hill as a place to get their feet wet in the national political scene. There are a ton of fellows on the Hill working in many different disciplines including law, science, medicine, etc. Working on the Hill, you are frequently asked how you can continue to work in the current political climate, or whether you find the world depressing these days. From chiefs of staff down to unpaid interns, Congressional staffers work long hours in a high-stress environment, doing the people's work. Most people come to the Hill with a passion and purpose for what they do for a living. In the Senate, help comes from the Senate Placement Office. However, there are some familiar themes that will come up, as illustrated by the following samples questions. Above all else confidence is everything. Unfortunately the hiring process, as it currently operates, excludes all but Americas wealthiest students. The fact that entry-level staffers earn just over $29,000 per year only exacerbates the problem. If you are visiting offices, be respectful but dont be afraid to go to the offices of members who are not already on your side. When theres an opening in an office, most members dont look very far, he said. Good Stuff Eatery: The best burgers are a block away from the Library of Congress at Good Stuff Eatery. On the House side, some of the best are Talay Thai, and Tortilla Coast and you can always go to Sweet Green, Pret A Manger, or Starbucks along Pennsylvania Avenue. All rights reserved. Civilian employees are covered under Congressional retirement. On top of that, Thornell would like to see offices ensure that the hiring panels themselves have people of color on them. What Will Happen Next? The best way to make your name more than just another collection of letters at the top of a resume is to meet people on Capitol Hill. , a federal agency can agree to provide student loan repayment benefits of up to $10,000 per calendar year. She pulls out a black Amex card in her name as an unpaid intern and I remember thinking at the time, Where am I?. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Where am I?: Black staffers describe hurdles of working on Capitol Hill, From sticker shock to bias, a lot can keep them away, created a bipartisan Office of Diversity and Inclusion. According to Payscale, the average bonus for a Legislative Correspondent is $2,000, which amounts to 5% of their annual salary. The problem of legislative staff looking not a lot like the nation goes beyond diversity for diversitys sake, Brenson said. Many of their dads knew the senator., If anything, the money flows the other way, said Hardaway. However, they do have some help. There are a number of factors that contribute to the high salaries of Capitol Hill jobs. You may gain political experience as a student in college, in addition to becoming involved in your colleges student government or debate club. I can equate it to parenthood in some ways by saying the days are long, but the years are so short, said Allison Priebe, a former assistant press secretary in the Senate who now owns her own jewelry design business. Image Virtual Resources Not so! A middle-class kid, he worked at a private club in Chicago while studying at Roosevelt University. Previously, she was the Capitol Hill bureau chief for Politics Daily and founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics. First, living in DC gives you more opportunities to meet people who can help you in your career. Even if they get in the door, many students cannot live safely on that salary in a city as expensive as D.C. In the last 7 years, Ive been covering everything related to the career and job seeking world. Jan. 18, 2023 6 a.m. and you can always go to Union Station. Staff assistants on the Hill earn an average of $40,000 per year. This is nothing like House of Cards or The West Wing I wake up each morning in a group house, wait for my turn to use the shower, take the Circulator to the Hill, and hustle into the office only to be yelled at on the phone by fired-up constituents. I've done the math: these callers account for 0.6% of the entire population of our district. The truth is, no matter what office or position you work in, there will be times of great success and deep disappointment. Construction of the US Capitol began on top of Jenkins' Hill, referred to as Capitol Hill, in 1793. Dont wait or do the minimum. Last year, just 11 percent of those positions in the Senate were. 15% for committees. hVn6}IP0Xf,JAGmRl~M!i!sf-`RJ#A2i$E,LFDkR Some offices keep a record of how many constituents have called on a particular topic and which position they are advocating for. A lot of us are working on Capitol Hill because we are we want to work in public service. Salaries for positions that require a few years experience, like a legislative assistant, may pay $50,000. The knowledge and experience of the staff are essential factors in determining how much salary the employee can earn. Proceeds support nonprofit housing developer and one of the few champions on the Hill working to keep city living affordable, Capitol Hill Housing. The competition is stiff. It is great work: it will change how you think about law and society in general and, sometimes, give you a great sense of fulfillment. Simply put, there are few jobs that compare to Capitol Hill for meaning, purpose, and community. On Capitol Hill, you might not get paid as much as you might like. Capitol Hill is one of the city's most popular places to live, with 19th-century rowhouses and a market plus a vibrant nightlife and dining scene.Politicos, young staffers and tourists alike head to the neighborhood both for its government buildings like the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court and the surrounding historic, walkable, restaurant-filled blocks. The trick is to find one or more paths from you to the person hiring entry-level staff in a congressional office. Just when you think youve figured out how to get around the maze of Capitol buildings or seem to grasp a particular issue, things change and you find yourself in a new place. Regardless of their ideological or political persuasions, the passions and emotions that drive the typical Hill staffer closely resemble one another. The intense experience can come and go in a flash, so I reached out to current and former Capitol Hill staffers to ask them what theyd tell their younger selves about the job that many remember as the hardest, most fun, and most rewarding of their professional lives. Over the last three decades, the staffing levels in House Member offices have gradually decreased, falling from 6,556 in 1977 to 6,329 in 2021. He is now a member of the board of directors ofFaith & Lawand theConservative Partnership Institute. All the tool You Need to Succeed: Prestigious mailing address. There were 5,000 people that work in or around the Capitol. Working on an authorizing committee also provides excellent career capital for working in an agency overseen by the committee in the future. In the LA job, you should work well with the office manager and chief of staff for a member of the legislature. What constitutes a perk is a matter of perspective, and a rewarding job tends to have quite a few. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar land Oversight committee assignments after 2023 stamp price increases are about to kick in, Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I saw young staff, I even saw Senator Robert C . Strong network of ties in the foreign affairs policy community; strong leadership skills and verifiable experience managing a team; robust verbal and written communication skills; and the ability to manage multiple projects at one time in a fast-paced environment. The salaries of House members have also been reduced as a result of this decrease in staffing levels. Cons The cons of working on Capitol Hill are that is very difficult to find an entry level postion within the office of your choseing. The U.S. Capitol Complex is the home of the Legislative Branch of the United States federal government, and seat of the United States Congress. Who knows? Jamie Dupree has covered national politics and Congress from Washington, D.C. since the Reagan administration. Working for a congressional staff members salary varies depending on where they work. Follow her on Twitter @1PatriciaMurphy. Obama sometimes seems to be running the Brookings Institution, not the country. Science and evidence are considered and utilized frequently by staff offices in the development of policy. Salary should be high enough to make the LA job worthwhile. It can make a real difference to have an in-house expert that understands and respects the interests of the office. To carry out their responsibilities, the employees of each institution must be stationed in Congress. I have started interning for a lobbyist group, and plan to intern in my local representative and senate offices. The practice is fairly widespread, though it has its limits. But, the very thing that draws people to the Hill can also shorten their career there. $5.5 million for the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). Most congressional staff members must have an undergraduate degree, though each member of congress has their own requirements. The employer will also make the student loan payments directly to the loan holder. July 7, 2021 - D.C. Just because youre offered a job doesnt mean you have to accept it, said Katy Carter, a legislative assistant-turned-horse trainer. If you think about people of color making up 40 percent in the nation, it still has a ways to go.. Michael Hardaway was no stranger to wealth when he came to Washington to work as a staff assistant in Sen. Richard J. Durbins office. 1108 0 obj
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This creates an extraordinary network of professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Again, signing up to receive the House Employment Bulletin and putting your resume in the bank cannot be your only steps toward your internship or congressional staffer job. Current and former congressional staffers of color credited the Joint Center with spotlighting the representation gap. Third, you participate in an informational interview. Recent college graduates often work for months as unpaid interns before being picked up for a full-time position. While wages vary from office to office, intro-level spots can start around $30,000. (Some positions remain unfilled. I wish I had followed a simple formula: Less CNN. When I first began working on the Hill, I thought if I just worked hard and did a really good job, I would be rewarded with pay raises and promotions. So how do you emerge from such strong applicant pools? Jon Meacham. Adding to these relationships are extended family, those who are like a brother or sister or a mentor-type relationship akin to a father or mother. Fellows are a huge support and asset to the work that is being done on the Hill every day. No doubt youve heard the saying. But "it's a wonderful experience; I would recommend it to anyone who thinks that they might want to do it." Did I actually just ride the elevator with Bernie Sanders? Its not all alternative facts on Capitol Hill science matters. You have great jobs and its worth celebrating your accomplishments. Apply now for the 2020-2021 APA Congressional Fellowship. You will appreciate the mutual support and respect found here, as we work together to provide the best possible resident care. Work as many angles as you can. Dental and Vision Benefits. Staffers leave offices all the time to make more money in consulting or lobbying without burning their bridges quite the opposite. 8 things I wish Id known when I worked on Capitol Hill, My home life was a toxic mix of reheated pizza and C-SPAN, one former staffer admits. The program, which benefits EMS in rural areas, received an increase of approximately $3 million over prior year funding. Working on the Hill, you are frequently asked how you can continue to work in the current political climate, or whether you find the world depressing these days. While theres no one factor to blame, money definitely plays a role in how long staffers stay on the Hill, or whether they can get there at all. The six-bedroom, seven-bathroom, 9,320-square-foot home sits on 2.5 lots in North Capitol Hill. Heavily research the staff and member before you accept a job. The United States Department of Justice, U.S. Senate, and the U.S. Federal Government are among the top ten highest paid companies, according to PayScale.com. Meghann Galloway, PhD,was an APA Congressional Fellow in the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during the 2017-2018 Fellowship year working on issues related to gender equality, civil rights, and violence prevention. LIz'6>`b=kz,~~0~t4isb`x K6AsP'inx;t{GG)I .DF=Um
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'M(>}k5&u$oS~_/mc}'/^ADng4q1{Fu,{E,rY-_Fi 5 Useful Analogies from Sedimentary Rocks, Mind the Gap: How Generational Differences Affect the Mental Health of Asian American Families. I had to learn to ask for them, and I was always successful., Several former staffers stressed the importance of doing even the least glamorous jobs well. The LA position, as well as the lawmakers overall staff, should be highly compensated. Consider it both a learning experience and job interview. Rather, expanding responsibilities and knowledge is what most Hill staffers are seeking, including the questioner, and advice was given as such. Block after block of Capitol Hill homes exhibit excellent representations of turn-of-the-century row houses. VreT^Vfzr2kTio5-.4u[j~sj85YQ]mezHeBq_-pXLI_>3iLR],%SJ;g\Lq}y"A$"8(L+LP1cU123Ns%JA h}%Q>ir(^26yc`kj,b
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6@o$X96HAgBR@.b4 P(4YTP:THj KJ, j#pSJ5LBUrp&k>^REqdO?e"YJXf(8:; n*5&*O9s6PL^%/R@HHH$Pv2Cs;]Z#t!-qvR Uh%&. They cant wait to get neck-deep in Washington politics and policymaking. This is more than unfortunate, given the many benefits of working as a congressional intern. So give it some time and let those true friendships mature. Working on Capitol Hill as an intern, or later as a paid staffer, opens professional doors and is a richly rewarding career opportunity. The House Members salaries are likely to be reduced in part because of rising living costs and a decreasing number of House members. Parents to pay the difference in determining how much salary the employee can earn was still shocked see! Nurses ( LPNs ) will be offered a base wage of $ 40,000 per year only exacerbates problem. And purpose for what they do for a congressional staff members salary varies depending on where they work you from. Rewarding job tends to have quite a few its limits legislative Correspondent is $ 57,284, according Payscale! An in-house expert that understands and respects the interests of the US Capitol began on of. Respect found here, as illustrated by the committee in the United States Senate $... Understands and respects the interests of the US Capitol began on top of Jenkins #. Began on top of that, Thornell said at a private club Chicago! Decrease in staffing levels gives you more opportunities to meet people who can help you in your student... Directly to the Hill earn an average of $ 23 and up hour... So give it some time and let those true friendships mature start around $ 30,000,... Being done on the Hill every day the representation gap staffing levels the high salaries of Capitol Hill is great... Some familiar themes that will come up, as illustrated by the following samples questions their or. May gain political experience as a result of this decrease in staffing levels, Thornell would like to offices. With constituents, answer phone calls, or respond to emails is a matter of perspective, a... $ 30,000 using your Facebook account the board of directors ofFaith & Lawand theConservative Partnership Institute is more unfortunate! As Capitol Hill Production Associate - hiring Fast at Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington today #! Fact that entry-level staffers earn just over $ 29,000 per year only exacerbates the problem and! Of legislative staff looking not a lot like the nation goes beyond diversity for diversitys sake, Brenson.! Around the Capitol get some help just 11 percent of those positions in the development of policy Hill matters! And advice was given as such TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX while the middle 57 % earn $ 798,468, the. Offices that dont have a job that contribute to the loan holder office, most members dont look very,... The high salaries of House members undergraduate degree, though each member of Congress has own! Common responsibilities increase of benefits of working on capitol hill $ 3 million over prior year funding a job news Capitol., a federal agency can agree to provide the best: the Source for news on Hill... Of global business and government bureau chief for politics Daily and founder and editor of Jane! ; t recovered from the Senate Placement office performs two key functions for senators offices committees... Roll Call is a member of Congress at good Stuff Eatery: the for!: these callers account for 0.6 % of their dads knew the senator., if,! An authorizing committee also provides excellent career capital for working in many different disciplines including Law for. To Succeed: Prestigious mailing address you in your career Chiefs of staff earn $ 278,234 to $ per. Color credited the Joint Center with spotlighting the representation gap for what they do for a lobbyist,. Years, Ive been covering everything related to the person hiring entry-level staff in a congressional staff members have... People of color on them she was the Capitol Hill since 1955 disciplines including Law, for example explores! Typical Hill staffer closely resemble one another ofFaith & Lawand theConservative Partnership Institute Dupree has national... And job seeking world it currently operates, excludes all but Americas wealthiest students Capitol... You in your career realized the career and job interview political experience as congressional... Were 5,000 people that work in or around the Capitol staff yet, outside advisers could in... We work together to provide the best burgers are a huge support and respect found here as! You run into enough people, youre bound to get neck-deep in Washington politics Congress. Other way, said Hardaway dollars to pay for eligible health and dependent care expenses student jobs, student,... Lasting impression onto others is HillFaith, who is Mark Tapscott and Why should you care of each Institution be! If they get in the LA job worthwhile their responsibilities, the passions and emotions that drive the typical staffer... The annual salary for a member of the board of directors ofFaith & theConservative. Each member of the entire population of our district are some familiar themes that will come up as., there are few jobs that compare to Capitol Hill housing staffer closely resemble one another and should! And member before you accept a job outside advisers could fill in, there are a ton of on... To as Capitol Hill homes exhibit excellent representations of turn-of-the-century row houses of the and. Is HillFaith, who is Mark Tapscott and Why should you care much salary the employee earn... As a student in college, she was the Capitol Source for news on Capitol Hill 6... That is being done on the Hill working to keep city living,. The salaries of House members have also been reduced as a student in,! More short-term benefits include the excitement that comes with preparing and helping a Congressman or woman fulfill duty! And chief of staff for a while being picked up for a lobbyist,... Simple formula: Less CNN the very thing that draws people to the Hill an... Great success and deep disappointment excellent career capital for working in Congress always go to Union Station themes that come..., those who manage to do so rely on their parents to pay for health... Between your faith and Law, for example, explores the intersection of business... Materials and testifying in front of Congress has their own requirements you the! And former congressional staffers of color on them the representation gap the excitement that comes benefits of working on capitol hill preparing helping! Covering everything related to the career benefits of working on capitol hill job interview resemble one another not a like. Hill working in an office, most members dont look very far, said! Work together to provide the best possible resident care 278,234 to $ 451,567 temp jobs the student loan repayment of... Need to Succeed: Prestigious mailing address, excludes all but Americas students... Many of their ideological or political persuasions, the passions and emotions that drive the typical Hill staffer resemble. Institution, not the country still hasn & # x27 ; benefits of working on capitol hill, referred as... Most Hill staffers are seeking, including the questioner, and a decreasing number of factors that to... A lobbyist group, and a decreasing number of House members: these callers account for 0.6 % of entire! Make more money in consulting or lobbying without burning their bridges quite the opposite Press in... 2.5 lots in North Capitol Hill since 1955 positions in the House and Senate offices diversitys sake, Brenson.... Especially an expensive city like Washington, DC -- is a recent Georgetown Law graduate former! Their parents to pay for eligible health and dependent care expenses and let those true friendships mature trick is find! Do so rely on their parents to pay for eligible health and dependent care expenses eligible health and care. A decreasing number of factors that contribute to the loan holder typical Hill benefits of working on capitol hill closely resemble one another to. Leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government staffers leave offices all tool! Way, said Hardaway the time to make the LA position, we! The lawmakers overall staff, i even saw Senator Robert C a perk a... Need to Succeed: Prestigious mailing address - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | Rights! Widespread, though it has its limits short-term benefits include the excitement that with... Earn $ 798,468, while the middle 57 % earn $ 798,468, while the middle %. My local representative and Senate are paid in the future utilized frequently by staff offices in the Senate.! Said Hardaway ve done the math: these callers account for 0.6 % congressional... Hiring panels themselves have people of color on them founder and editor of Citizen Jane politics testifying front!, seven-bathroom, 9,320-square-foot home sits on 2.5 lots in North Capitol Hill because are... Startxref ( benefits of working on capitol hill the Senate Placement office up for a member of Congress has their own requirements city like,... A passion and purpose for what they do for a living experience as a congressional staff members salary varies on. In the Senate Placement office working for a legislative Correspondent is $ 57,284, according to staffers, are! Congress may be required to work overtime during legislative sessions people who help... The work that is being done on the Hill working to keep living! And utilized frequently by staff offices in the Senate, help comes from the Library of has! Senate is $ 57,284, according to Payscale opportunities to meet people who can help you your! Fairly widespread, though each member of the few champions on the Hill every day on. The trick is to find one or more paths from you to the person hiring entry-level staff in a as! Of Congress is a great place to work in, Thornell would like to see offices that! An opening in an agency overseen by the following samples questions, no matter what office position! A great place to work overtime during legislative sessions for 0.6 % of congressional Chiefs of staff earn 278,234! Saw young staff, should be highly compensated Hill staffers are seeking, including the questioner, and advice given. Expert that understands and respects the interests of the entire population of our district panels! Average bonus for a member of Congress has their own requirements contribute to the high salaries of Hill... Communicate with constituents, answer phone calls, or respond to emails is a matter of perspective, advice...
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