Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii is hiring a policy advisor or counsel to lead the senator’s health policy work. This staffer is responsible for advancing health funding and policy initiatives and staffing the senator as a member of the Appropriations Committee’s health subcommittee. Applicants should have significant experience working in health care policy, incredible drive and determination, seasoned written and spoken communications skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Depending on experience and interest, this position could also lead the senator’s domestic policy team comprised of eight staffers. The domestic policy team advises the senator on civil rights, courts, education, elections, governance, health, immigration, labor, law enforcement, nutrition, and social programs—among other areas.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities for this position include:
- representing the senator on health policy and related appropriations issues;
- advancing the senator's existing policy initiatives and developing new priorities;
- coordinating with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders;
- preparing for committee hearings and markups, and staffing the senator at those meetings; and
- advising the senator on a portfolio that includes policy matters pertaining to health, children, seniors, and women.
In addition, for candidates interested in the domestic policy team lead role, responsibilities include:
- managing the senator's domestic policy team.
Experience and Skills
The successful applicant will have:
- a thorough understanding of and considerable experience in health policy;
- experience advancing policies with federal, state, and local agencies;
- strong communication and presentation skills to brief the senator and to work with outside stakeholders;
- sound political judgment;
- an understanding of the legislative process, budget/appropriations processes, and federal/state agency processes;
- excellent analytical, negotiation, and organizational skills;
- demonstrable experience in developing new policies or innovative approaches; and
- experience with coalition building and policy messaging.
In addition, for candidates interested in the domestic policy team leader role, experience and skills should include:
- experience managing a team; and
- familiarity with a broad spectrum of domestic policy issues.
Domestic Policy Team
In addition to a health policy advisor/counsel, the senator’s domestic policy team includes a legislative assistant, a legislative counsel, a legislative aide, one to two legislative fellows, two to three legislative correspondents, and an intern. The domestic policy team advises the senator on civil rights, courts, education, elections, governance, health, immigration, labor, law enforcement, nutrition, and social programs—among other areas.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000 per year depending on experience and responsibilities. Senate employees are eligible for a number of benefits including student loan repayment, employer contribution for health care insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, transit subsidy, parking, bicycle facilities, access to the Senate staff gym, borrowing privileges from the Library of Congress, and personal and professional development courses.
Start Date
This position is available to start now. The position is based in the senator’s Washington, D.C., office.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through this link. Please submit your application as soon as possible.
