Hill Staffer Profile: Chief of Staff

1

Basic Responsibilities

• Acts as Member’s chief policy advisor

• Develops and implements all policy objectives, strategies, and operating plans for the Member's office

• Manages and directs all activities and staff of the Member's D.C. offices

• Coordinates the Member’s activities with leadership and committee offices

• Oversees office budget

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

4%

49%

24%20%

3%5%

42%

24% 24%

6%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

5.2 5.2

6.7

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $136,588 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform

Legislative Director duties • Been in position for 6.7

years• Has a Bachelor’s degree• May have previous

experience in the House, federal government, campaign, etc.

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

59%67% 71%

41% 33% 29%

Percentage Commuting Between District and D.C.

Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Master’s

Degree

Hill Staffer Profile: Legislative Director

2

Basic Responsibilities

• Advises Member on all legislative areas

• Assists in development of policy positions and legislative initiatives

• Managers and supervises Member's legislative staff

• Monitors and reports on floor action to Member and Chief of Staff

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

27%

59%

9%5%

0%

21%

59%

10% 10%

0%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

3.1 3.3

4.5

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $89,674 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform Senior

Legislative Aide duties • In position for 4.5 years• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House, Federal government, campaign etc.

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

19% 16%23%

81% 84% 78%

Percentage Commut-ing Between District

and D.C. Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Bachelor’sDegree

Master’sDegree

Other (2%)

Hill Staffer Profile: Senior Legislative Aide

3

Basic Responsibilities

• Develops and plans legislative initiatives

• Monitors legislative developments within committees and on the House floor

• Writes floor speeches for the Member

• Meets with constituents and special interest groups on behalf of the Member

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

43%42%

10%

5%

0%

43%45%

7%6%

0%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

2.5

3.43.8

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $63,508 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform

Legislative Aide duties • Been in position for 3.8

years• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House and federal government

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

26%21% 14%

74% 79% 86%

Percentage Commut-ing Between District

and D.C. Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Bachelor’sDegree

Master’sDegree

Other (2%)

Hill Staffer Profile: Legislative Aide

4

Basic Responsibilities

• Develops and plans legislative initiatives

• Monitors legislative developments within committees and on the House floor

• Writes floor speeches for the Member

• Meets with constituents and special interest group on behalf of the Member

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

43% 42%

10%

5%

0%

43%45%

7%6%

0%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

2.5

3.43.8

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $63,508 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform

Legislative Aide duties • Been in position for 3.8

years• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House and federal government

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

26%21% 14%

74% 79% 86%

Percentage Commut-ing Between District

and D.C. Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Bachelor’sDegree

Master’sDegree

Other (2%)

Master’s Degree

J.D.(3%)

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

91%

7%1% 1% 0%

93%

4% 0% 1% 1%

2009 2010

Hill Staffer Profile: Legislative Correspondent

5

Basic Responsibilities

• Tracks legislative and other developments in assigned issue areas

• Drafts constituents correspondence for Member

• Prepares for committee meetings and hearings related to specific issues

• Answers constituent letters and helps constituents with federal matters

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

2006 2009 2010

1.2

2.22.5

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $36,171 annually

• Works in D.C. office• May also perform

Legislative Aide and Staff Assistant (D.C.) duties

• Has been in position for 2.5 years

• Has a Bachelor’s degree • May have previous

experience in the House

Position Summary Highest Educational Attainment

Bachelor’s Degree

Average Age

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

Hill Staffer Profile: Office Manager/Executive Assistant

6

Basic Responsibilities

• Supervises D.C. office staff • Maintains office accounts

and payroll accounts • Acts as liaison for Member

with staff, public, committee staff, and other Members

• Maintains Member's files • Procures and maintains

equipment for D.C. office • Ensures that Member is

provided with briefing materials for each event

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

38%

23% 23%

11%

7%

36%

21%23%

15%

6%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

5.15.5

7.1

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $62,165 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform Scheduler,

Financial Administrator, and Systems Administrator duties

• Been in position for 7.1 years

• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House and state/local government

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

17%6%

18%

83% 94% 83%

Percentage Commut-ing Between District

and D.C. Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Bachelor’sDegree

Master’sDegree

Other

Hill Staffer Profile: Press Secretary/Communications Director

7

Basic Responsibilities

• Manages and coordinates all communication activities for the Member and office

• Develops and implements Member’s media and communication strategy

• Acts as Member’s formal spokesperson and media liaison

• Writes speeches for Member

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

53%

33%

7% 7%

0%

41%

32%

11% 11%

4%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

33.2

3.7

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $64,003 annually

• Works in D.C. office • Been in position for 3.7

years• Has a Bachelor’s degree• May have previous

experience in the House, state/local government, or private organizations

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

31% 28%37%

69% 72% 63%

Percentage Commuting Between District and D.C.

Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Master’s

Degree

Hill Staffer Profile: Scheduler

8

Basic Responsibilities

• Maintains Member’s official schedule, travel plans, and related records

• Briefs Member on all scheduling activities of D.C. office and makes recommendations on proposed future meetings

• Schedules all staff meetings and briefings

• Coordinates scheduling of press, interview, radio, and television time with the Press Secretary

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

62%

24%

6% 6%3%

49%

21%

14% 11%

5%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

3.6 3.4

5.5

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $51,869 annually

• Works in D.C. office • May also perform Office

Manager/Executive Assistant and Financial Administrator duties

• Been in position for 5.5 years

• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House and private organizations

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

2% 5%10%

98% 95% 90%

Percentage Commuting Between District and D.C.

Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Master’s

Degree

Hill Staffer Profile: Staff Assistant (D.C.)

9

Basic Responsibilities

• Greets and screens visitors • Responds to constituent

requests for information• Performs general

administrative duties

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

2006 2009 2010

1.7

1.9

1.8

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $31,593 annually

• Works in D.C. office• May also perform

Legislative Correspondent duties

• Has been in position for 1.8 years

• Has a Bachelor’s degree• May have no previous

experience

Position Summary Highest Educational Attainment

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

J.D.(1%)

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

93%

2% 1%3%

1%

95%

4%0% 0% 1%

2009 2010

Average Age

Hill Staffer Profile: Staff Assistant (District)

10

Basic Responsibilities

• Responds to constituent requests for information

• Maintains handout literature regarding district and House

• Performs general administrative duties

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

2006 2009 2010

3.33.6

4.1

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $31,013 annually

• Works in district office• May also perform

Constituent Services Representative or Caseworker duties

• Has been in position for 4.1 years

• Has a Bachelor’s degree • May have previous

experience in private organizations

Position Summary Highest Educational Attainment

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

(2%)

J.D.(1%)

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59

51%

14%11%

15%

56%

15% 12%8%

2009 2010Average Age

Other

Hill Staffer Profile: Constituent Services Representative/Caseworker

11

Basic Responsibilities

• Acts as Member’s community representative within his or her area of responsibility

• Monitors and updates Member and District Director on district and local issues

• Handles casework correspondence

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

2006 2009 2010

2.1

0.6

1.2

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $47,543 annually

• Works in district office• May also perform Field

Representative duties • Has been in position for 8.1

years • Has a Bachelor’s degree • May have previous

experience in the House, state/local government, and private organizations

Position SummaryHighest Educational

Attainment

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

J.D.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

27%

20%

18%

24%

11%

20%

22%

18%

21%

18%

2009 2010

Average Age

Other

Hill Staffer Profile: District Director

12

Basic Responsibilities

• Oversees all district office operations

• Represents Member, or assigns appropriate staff to represent Member, in district

• Travels through district at regular intervals to keep abreast of local concerns

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

9%

28%30%

19%

15%

6%

22%

33%

16%

23%

Average Age

2009 2010

2006 2009 2010

5.46

8.1

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $92,650 annually

• Works in district office • May also perform Field

Representative duties • Been in position for 8.1

years• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House, Federal, campaign, community organizations, and private organizations

Position Summary

2006 2009 2010

16% 14% 15%

84% 87% 85%

Percentage Commut-ing Between District

and D.C. Office

Commuting Not Commuting

Bachelor’sDegree

Master’sDegree

Other (8%)

Hill Staffer Profile: Field Representative

13

Basic Responsibilities

• Acts as liaison with federal, district, and local agencies for Member and constituents

• Assesses casework for problems requiring legislative action and makes recommendations to the District Director and Chief of Staff

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

2006 2009 2010

44.5

6

Average Years in Current Position

• Earns an average of $47,184 annually

• Works in D.C. office• May also perform

Constituent Services duties• Has been in position for 6

years • Has a Bachelor’s degree • May have previous

experience in the House, local government, military, and private organizations

Position Summary Highest Educational Attainment

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

J.D.(2%)

Average Age

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

33%

23%

18% 15%

12%

32%

17%15% 15%

22%

2009 2010 PhD(1%)

Hill Staffer Profile: Financial Administrator

14

Basic Responsibilities

• Responsible for all office finances

• May process vouchers for payment or reimbursement of official expenses and payroll processing

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

31%

15%

39%

15%

0%

Average Age

2010• Earns an average of

$29,375 annually • Works in D.C. office • May also perform Office

Manager/Executive Assistant, Scheduler, and Systems Administrator duties

• Been in position for 8.1 years

• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House, and state/local government

Position Summary

In 2010, Financial Administrators spent, on

average, 8.1 years in their current position

In 2010, no Financial Administrators

commuted between the district and the D.C.

office

Average Years in Current Position

Percentage Commuting Between District and

D.C. Office

Hill Staffer Profile: Systems Administrator

15

Basic Responsibilities

• Maintains network hardware and software

• Monitors network• May perform maintenance • Implements network

security measures

Source: 2010 House Compensation Study: Guide for the 112th Congress.

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

23%

39%

15%

23%

0%

Average Age

2010• Earns an average of $33,675 annually

• Works in D.C. office • Been in position for 6.6

years• Has a Bachelor's degree• May have previous

experience in the House, campaign, community organizations, and private organizations

Position Summary

Master’s

Degree

15%

In 2010, Systems Administrator spent, on average, 6.6 years in their current position

In 2010, 7% of Systems Administrators

commuted between the district and D.C. office

Average Years in Current Position

Percentage Commuting Between District and

D.C. Office