Job Description
Parliamentary Clerk
Organization
Secretary of the Senate
Department
Parliamentarian
SALARY RANGE:
$85,358 - $90,000
OFFICE HOURS:
Office hours are dictated by Senate floor activity; may require long, irregular hours.
FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE: NATURE OF WORK This clerkship is a term appointment, not to exceed two years. Employment beyond the term is Source materials for this position include the Standing Rules of the Senate (Senate Rules) and Senate precedents, legislative history, statutes, and the United States Code. Work is bound by Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S. Senate Handbook, and the Senate Ethics Manual, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Respond to legislative/parliamentary questions generated by congressional staff and the public; and refer sensitive issues to the Parliamentarian. Prepare language for resolutions and unanimous consent requests relative to the opening and closing of daily sessions or routine floor procedures for leadership offices. Assist Parliamentarians with referring communications to Senate committees for consideration; Assist Parliamentarians in organizing, researching, editing, compiling, writing, and publishing current precedents of the Senate. Assist Parliamentarians with delivery of legislative parliamentary material to the Senate Chamber. Maintain current knowledge of the Office of the Parliamentarian’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises and drills; and assist with maintaining EAP and COOP plans. Provide all customers with the highest level of customer service. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedure and organization, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate. Ability to understand and analyze Senate proceedings. Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams or groups. Ability to work independently on projects as directed by the Parliamentarian. Ability to use a computer and relevant computer software programs. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform legislative and legal research. Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information. Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary; and ability to edit and proofread with proficiency. Ability to quickly and accurately recognize Senators by sight and voice. Ability to interact with high-level Senate officials using tact and diplomacy. Ability to work extended and erratic hours as dictated by the Senate schedule. Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate. Must adhere to Senate Chamber rules on decorum and dress code – appropriate attire required in the office. LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may text the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8338 TTY.
TELEWORK:
This position is not eligible for telework.
FLSA STATUS:
Belo 58
DEADLINE FOR
APPLICATIONS:
10/28/2026 at 5:00pm EST
JOB DESCRIPTION:
This is professional, nonpartisan legislative work with responsibility for ensuring the consistent and orderly proceedings of the Senate. Work is supervised by the Parliamentarian and his or her staff, and includes assisting the Parliamentarian and staff on and off the Senate floor in responding to legislative and parliamentary inquiries; preparing materials for the Senate’s daily proceedings and the Senate Calendar of Business; referring executive communications to Senate committees; basic procedural and legislative research; assisting with the preparation of the office’s precedential materials for publication; and general administrative tasks as assigned.
contingent on being considered and selected for an Assistant Parliamentarian position, based on
demonstrated performance, readiness for the role, and the needs of the office. Employment with the office, including term employment, is at will.
Support the Office of the Parliamentarian with general administrative functions; maintain legislative records; interact frequently with Senators, staff, and the public; and answer phones and manage access to the Parliamentarians.
review contents of each document to determine appropriate jurisdiction; and research Senate
precedents and the U.S. Code to determine appropriate jurisdiction.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work is primarily sedentary but requires occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for the performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary. This position is tied to the Senate floor schedule and requires working extended and erratic hours as dictated by the Senate.
Work requires a juris doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, accredited by the ABA throughout the applicant’s course of study, and education and experience that provide the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
License to practice law preferred, but not required. If licensed to practice law in a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, an applicant must be a member in good standing.
Accommodations
Applicants needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Human Resources at Secretaryhr@sec.senate.gov.
Veteran's
Preference:
Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans Employment
Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are
not current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who are
disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain
specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”)
may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions.
Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’
preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference.
To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the
requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those
eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’
Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf
If claiming a veterans’ preference, an applicant must indicate that he/she is
preference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completed
copy of the Application for Veterans’ Preference along with the supporting
documentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Secretary of the
Senate does not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting
documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’
preference may be denied.
Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference in
Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Individuals who are entitled to a veterans’ preference are invited to
self-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use in
connection with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate’s obligations and
efforts to provide veterans’ preference to preference-eligible applicants in
accordance with the VEOA. An applicant’s status as a disabled veteran and any
information regarding an applicant’s disability, including the applicant’s
medical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected,
maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3).
An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to
provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran’s
status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the
individual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans’ preference.
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