Assistant Legal Editor

The Division of Legal and Research Services provides legal advice and drafting services to legislators, staff, and other divisions of the legislature and acts as a steward of the Alaska Statutes through review, revision, and codification of all laws enacted by the legislature.

General Description:

The Legislative Affairs Agency, Division of Legal and Research Services, is seeking a full-time Assistant Legal Editor. The Assistant Legal Editor edits bills, resolutions, and amendments drafted by legislative attorneys, assigns and reviews work of the bill production staff, and enrolls legislation under minimal supervision. The Assistant Legal Editor is required to be politically neutral and to maintain confidentiality. This is a Full Time 10-month position.

Examples of Duties:

Edits bills, amendments, and resolutions drafted by legislative attorneys.

Analyzes drafts for responsiveness to legislator request, grammar, accuracy, clarity, organization, readability, consistency, fit within existing statutes, and adherence to the style and format requirements of the Alaska Manual of Legislative Drafting.

Provides advice and works with attorneys and revisors to solve problems with drafts.

Uses Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, and other software applications to edit and produce documents, search statutes, communicate with coworkers, and track workflow through the office.

Delivers drafts to legislators by email and prepares final bills and resolutions for delivery in hard copy.

Assists in training, supervising, and providing guidance to bill production staff.

Types and proofreads drafts when bill production staff is not available.

Works with others to ensure proper enrollment of legislation.

Works with the Editorial Operations Manager to update annual tables and reports.

Updates desk manuals for bill production staff.

Organizes and files legislative documents in an electronic filing system.

Performs special projects and other tasks, which may include administrative tasks, assigned by the Editorial Operations Manager or the Legislative Editing Manager.

Knowledge of standard English, including grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation.

Possesses strong computer skills, including the use of the Microsoft Office suite, and the ability to type using a keyboard.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct work and evaluate results and alternative strategies.

Ability to review the work of others and provide clear and useful feedback.

Ability to write and speak clearly, concisely, and in a well-organized manner.

Ability to quickly and accurately analyze complicated information.

Ability to be highly productive, prioritize assignments, handle frequent interruptions, and meet deadlines under stressful conditions.

Ability to handle complex and comprehensive editing projects.

Ability to act professionally, objectively, and impartially in interacting with coworkers, supervisors, legislators, and legislative staff.

Ability to work independently and handle a variety of projects at the same time.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle politically sensitive work.

An ideal candidate should be detail-oriented, have great interpersonal skills, and understand the legislative process or have experience in state government.

The nonpartisan Legislative Affairs Agency provides objective, accurate, and timely services and products to the Alaska Legislature and Alaskans to support and inform policy making, facilitate public access to the legislative process, and preserve the legislative institution.

Working in seamless partnership across sections, staff approach their tasks with professionalism, grace, and courtesy in supporting the challenging and vital work of the legislative branch.

Why work for the Legislative Affairs Agency?

Working here is a chance to be a part of Alaska history. LAA employees provide essential nonpartisan support to the Legislature where vital policy and laws are created. The Agency is made up of eleven sections led by a management team with 200 years of combined legislative experience and institutional knowledge who, along with our staff, share an unwavering commitment to serving Alaskans. We work in a dynamic environment and teamwork is not just a buzzword, but fundamental to everything we do.

We value:

Accountability. We are committed to responsible use of human, financial, and environmental resources.

Respect. We provide services without discrimination or judgment.

Integrity. We are honest and ethical in our work.

The Alaska Legislature values the unique contributions that candidates with diverse experiences, knowledge and backgrounds can bring to our work. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace.

Comprehensive Benefit Package

The Alaska Legislature offers health benefits including a range of coverage choices for medical, dental, and vision; a health flexible spending account; as well as other health services such as Teladoc, Hinge Health, and Surgery Plus. In addition, there are a variety of supplemental elections: life insurance, additional accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, and both short- and long-term disability.

Health and Wellness

Employees have access to a 24/7 Wellness Center, which is a small fee-based workout facility ($50 annually) with two treadmills, two ellipticals, one recumbent bike, strength training equipment, free weights, two showers, one steam room, lockers, and towel service.

For mental health wellness, the State of Alaska offers free, confidential help through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Financial Well-Being

The State offers savings and investment plans, paid leave, insurance options, and more to help employees meet their financial goals.

This includes:

• Public Employee Retirement System (PERS), with either a Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution based on original State of Alaska hire date.
• Deferred Compensation plan with options for before or after payroll taxes.
• Supplemental Benefits System Annuity (SBS) in lieu of Social Security.
• Workers Compensation Insurance.
• Voluntary Savings Plan (Defined Benefit participants only)

Professional Development

The Legislative Affairs Agency encourages employees to improve their skills by enrolling in professional development courses directly related to their job responsibilities. Employees may apply for reimbursement for the cost of tuition and books for one undergraduate college-level course per calendar year for which they receive a minimum of a ‘C’ letter grade.

Work/Life Balance

Work/life balance is supported through:

• The potential for flexible work schedules during interim when the legislature is not in session.
• Agency staff may accrue as compensatory time up to 150 hours of hours worked over the standard work week. There is no cash value to compensatory time.
• The State offers paid leave starting at 6:04 (h:mm) a pay period or 21 days a year. If you have previous time working for the State of Alaska in a leave eligible position, the time will be calculated into your accrual rate.
• 12 paid State holidays each year
• The Legislative Affairs Agency is a family-friendly employer.
• The Alaska State Legislature has an onsite daycare with priority given to legislative employees’ children.
• An assigned parking space may be available upon request.

Bachelor's degree in English from an accredited four-year institution of higher education or a Bachelor's degree in another field combined with at least three years of relevant work experience.

Applicants must provide a cover letter, which will be used as a writing sample.

Only selected applicants will be interviewed.

Interviewed applicants will be asked to complete a short editing assignment.

Interviewed applicants must provide three references.

Positions in the Legislative Affairs Agency are required to be politically neutral.

Hybrid telework options are available.

LAA Personnel Office

personnelgroup@akleg.gov

(907) 465-3854