Legislative Aide

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

Councilmember O’Rourke is a first-term, at-large Philadelphia councilmember whose time in office began in January 2024. Councilmember O’Rourke is the second Working Families Party candidate to be elected to City Council, and he holds the leadership role of Minority Whip. Councilmember O’Rourke is a minister, community organizer, and legislator – dedicated to making sure Philadelphia is a City that loves you back by empowering your voice, meeting your needs, and resourcing your dreams.

The Office of Councilmember O’Rourke is a dynamic & fast-paced team that values:

• Creative solutions to Philadelphia’s toughest challenges,
• Deep relationship-building within our own team, our Council colleagues, and our community/movement partners,
• Disciplined & rigorous focus to support the working class people of Philadelphia, and
• An unwavering commitment to inclusivity – ensuring that our office is a welcoming space for all employees and constituents, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.

The Legislative Aide at the Office of City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke plays a key role in supporting the Councilmember's legislative and policy agenda. This role involves assisting with the drafting and advancing of bills and policy reforms, tracking and analyzing pending legislation, and representing the Councilmember in various settings. The Legislative Aide will collaborate closely with internal team members, other Council staff, and community organizations/partners.

Essential Functions

LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor & track legislation and co-sponsorship requests from other Council offices, as well as relevant state/federal legislation to keep the Councilmember and Chief of Staff informed
• Attend and provide preparation materials for City Council sessions and hearings, including summaries of legislation, managing hearing agendas, collecting/distribution testimony, and capturing notes
• Assist in the development and research of potential legislation, working with the Legislation & Policy  Director and Law Department to analyze and draft bills/resolutions
• Conduct policy research and write reports and policy briefs to inform decision-making and the public

LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

• Liaise with legislative staff from other Council offices regarding the Councilmember’s legislation and sponsorship opportunities
• Coordinate & lead meetings with relevant stakeholders, which includes developing preparation materials, taking notes, and sending follow-up
• Help maintain relationships with stakeholders, both inside and outside government, to identify priority policy issues
• Provide support to prepare for meeting with key officials by developing messaging, memos, or other materials

GENERAL OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accompany the Councilman to community events & appearances
• Assist in answering telephone calls and receiving walk-in constituents
• Handle constituent cases as needed or assigned
• Work collaboratively with office staff to support events and projects
• Assist with volunteer and intern program coordination as needed
• Represent the Councilmember at occasional evening/weekend events as assigned
• Help maintain a welcoming and organized office space for the public

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Requirements for the position include:

• Have a deep commitment to justice and strong alignment with the Councilmember’s agenda
• A strong interest in using law and policy to improve the lives of working-class people
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• A basic understanding of key policy issues at the local, state, and national level. Knowledge of climate/environmental justice, public safety/criminal justice, housing, and/or poverty solutions is a plus.
• A background in law or public policy is preferred.

• A degree in Public Policy, Sociology, Political Science, Urban/City Planning, History/Government, or a similar field is preferred
• Previous work experience (at least 2 years preferred) in a government, public policy, or policy research setting
• In your cover letter, please describe how your experiences qualify you for this role AND describe your political/ideological alignment with Councilmember O’Rourke. We are seeking candidates with strong values alignment to join our team.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 

Application deadline is September 3, 2024.

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx