Job Overview

The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) provides nonpartisan and confidential legal and research services to the Wisconsin Legislature. Legislative analysts support this mission by researching law and public policy for legislators, state and local officials, state agencies, journalists, and members of the public. To this end, analysts do the following:

1. Outline policies and offer alternatives.
2. Identify and explain Wisconsin laws, legislation, and legislative procedures.
3. Explain Wisconsin state agency policies and programs.
4. Summarize federal law and other states’ laws and policies.
5. Explain court decisions in plain language.
6. Explore historical context around past laws and legislation.

Analysts communicate their research in emails, memoranda, and meetings with legislators. Additionally, analysts write publications on topics of their own choosing that are relevant to policymakers—for example, redistricting, sports betting, and genetic privacy. Depending on their interests and skillsets, analysts may work on other projects such as data visualization, oral history interviews, and compilation of the Wisconsin Blue Book.

Responsibilities

1. Conduct research and analysis for memoranda on public policy and state government.
2. Communicate with legislators, legislative staff, state agency liaisons, local government officials, and members of the public.
3. Propose, research, and write publications on areas of legislative concern.
4. Develop expertise on Wisconsin government, legislation, law, and the legislative process.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have the following traits and abilities:

1. Excellent writing skills.
2. Ease in communicating clearly and courteously over the phone and in person.
3. Enthusiasm for learning about a broad range of public policy issues.
4. Initiative to develop and pursue new projects without direction.
5. The ability to absorb and analyze new information quickly and accurately.
6. The ability to be nonpartisan while working in a partisan environment.
7. Candidates with technical proficiencies and enthusiasm for communicating insights with data and visualizations are also encouraged to apply.

Work Environment

The LRB is an equal opportunity employer and committed to increasing the diversity of our staff. The LRB is also strictly nonpartisan, and partisan political activity by the staff is not allowed. Appointments are made on a nonpartisan basis.

Benefits

This position is in the unclassified state service and receives the same fringe benefits available to other state employees. The LRB’s competitive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, as well as retirement benefits and flexible spending accounts, among other things. The LRB provides paid holidays, generous sick leave, and a minimum of three weeks of vacation time and four days of personal time per year.

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. A current resume.
2. A one-page cover letter that describes how your training and experience correspond to the job duties outlined for this position.
3. A recent writing sample that is not co-authored.
4. Transcripts for highest level of education completed.

Send completed application materials to Lynn Emery at [email protected]. Applications that do not include one or more of the above materials will not be considered. Open until filled. We’ll begin reviewing applications June 1.