Should the opportunity to work as a full-time staffer in our nations legislative branch be, in practice, reserved for the wealthy? That puts them in the bottom fifth of the region . Those Ive observed, who not only survive but thrive on the Hill, have a well-balanced life. The country still hasn't recovered from the Wall Street-induced . Those who stayed on the Hill and worked their way up the hierarchy could become legislative directors, pulling down an average of $61,075 in the House and $91,438 in the Senate-but only after about a decade of service. Think about who you know who knows someone important in politics. Capitol Hill: [noun] the legislative branch of the U.S. government. Thornell understands the impulse to prefer candidates who have lived among constituents, but thats a subjective criterion that should be balanced against the benefits of diversity, he said. But "it's a wonderful experience; I would recommend it to anyone who thinks that they might want to do it." Previously, she was the Capitol Hill bureau chief for Politics Daily and founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics. (Some positions remain unfilled. All rights reserved. After all, hopping on the DC Metro will get you to an interview much more quickly than booking a flight to Dulles, Reagan or Baltimore. These events are invaluable to expanding your networking and meeting other likeminded people. (LogOut/ Glassdoor users anonymously report 208 salaries on average. In college, she interned for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus but quickly realized the career wasnt for her. Careers. And if you run into enough people, youre bound to get some help. Above all else confidence is everything. Leaders in the United States make $193,400 per year. This placement office publishes the House Employment Bulletin and keeps a resume bank. United States Capitol Police (USCP) employees are covered by the same benefits as other branches of the Federal government to include health and life insurance; Thrift Savings Plan (similar to 401K plans); disability; leave programs; flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance, holidays, etc. They are there for you, too. Jan. 18, 2023 6 a.m. However, the knowledge that you are making a contribution to something greater than yourself makes all of those experiences entirely worthwhile. But it can be a most important step in your professional and personal development. Several weeks into the summer, they had exhausted themselves with interviews, but found no full-time job opportunities. I wish I had followed a simple formula: Less CNN. Time is always tight on the Hill, and nobody wants to read 20 pages on anything. Finally, the competition for jobs on Capitol Hill is extremely fierce, which drives up salaries. Most applicant pools for congressional office jobs are loaded with people who had the quintessential college careers for work on Capitol Hill, but if you can be the one person who is a known commodity, you have an edge. Second, you input your resume. Many interns look for housing in the nearby Georgetown Law and George Washington University dormitories, where summer rents reach $400 per week. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The median salary for a Congressional Chief of Staff in the United States is $278,233, and his or her annual salary ranges between $57,826 and $798,468. This figure is significantly higher than the national average salary of $51,000 per year. Apply for full-time jobs, part-time jobs, student jobs, internships and temp jobs. This month, hundreds of college students and recent college graduates from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. for summer internships on Capitol Hill. . Image Virtual Resources VreT^Vfzr2kTio5-.4u[j~sj85YQ]mezHeBq_-pXLI_>3iLR],%SJ;g\Lq}y"A$"8(L+LP1cU123Ns%JA h}%Q>ir(^26yc`kj,b vtCZkwbRE{eXCd3|=EGhV}g6`Q]ox 6@o$X96HAgBR@.b4 P(4YTP:THj KJ, j#pSJ5LBUrp&k>^REqdO?e"YJXf(8:; n*5&*O9s6PL^%/R@HHH$Pv2Cs;]Z#t!-qvR Uh%&. 6. This is even more likely when a Member or their staff understands how the issue impacts their own constituents or an issue they are passionate about. Consider it both a learning experience and job interview. Persistence can pay off! Retirements allowed Stanberry to advance through the ranks, and two years later, she was chief of staff. Brian Bosak first pictured himself working on Capitol Hill while running a simple errand. It might be easier to talk to an ally, but it is less likely to result in change. If you dont have any Black or Brown people in the office, and youre going to promote from within, guess what? Thornell said. Firstly, the cost of living in Washington, D.C. is significantly higher than the national average. He is now a member of the board of directors ofFaith & Lawand theConservative Partnership Institute. But where else can you get such a chance to make a difference? Dont wait or do the minimum. You get lost a lot, but you learn to handle it. We care together at Capitol Hill Healthcare. Capitol Hill jobs are some of the most coveted positions in the country, due to their high salaries and the prestige that comes with working in the nations capital. Unfortunately for summer interns, rents are routinely higher for short-term summer leases. Working at Capitol Hill Day School has been an honor and I'm so happy that I came to know and love the members of the staff which really feel more like family after all these years . The wealth divide gets compounded by student debt. 8 things I wish Id known when I worked on Capitol Hill, My home life was a toxic mix of reheated pizza and C-SPAN, one former staffer admits. Sweetgreen: A repeat from our District Guide to Working in Georgetown, this fast-casual restaurant with mind-blowing salads has a location on Capitol Hill. Across Capitol Hill, the architects, engineers and technicians of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) design, enhance, and maintain new and historic structures, spaces and building systems. During that time, they answer phones, sort mail, conduct short research projects, and draft correspondence for their employers staff. Staff Assistants make up a large portion of the workforce in the United States House of Representatives, which is located in Washington, D.C., and is the governments legislative branch. It might not necessarily be the most high-profile issue, but common-sense solutions to real life problems can genuinely become reality on a bipartisan basis. In Congress: 40% percent of these staff work in the House of Representatives. My advice soak it all in.. According to staffers, here are the best: The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. And youre going to have the same living situation once you land a low-paying entry-level job on Capitol Hill. Is Russell Westbrook The Next NBA Legend. Similarly, being loved and accepted by the closest of relationships is a rock in times of trouble. People learn this s---, you can learn it, Thornell said. The less obvious wisdom only comes with experience, so here it is: Nothing willshape your experience more than who you work for and what kind of a boss that person is. %%EOF Remember, this only gets your resume into a big pile of others, so this cant be your only strategy for getting a Capitol Hill job. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Thanks for calling. Your boss does the courageous every day. Finally, around mid-September one of my friends was forced to take a less glamorous, but paid, position at a local advocacy organization. Its also worth noting that there are some career requirements for federal employees. If you would have told me that I was going to become a chief of staff, I would have laughed at you 10 years ago, Stanberry said. It can make a real difference to have an in-house expert that understands and respects the interests of the office. FDA argues public harm if court reverses abortion pill approval, Harris to mark 50th anniversary of Roe ruling with speech in Florida, Ending the black hole thats devouring student loan payments, Party City files for bankruptcy protection, Authorities seize crypto website Bitzlato, arrest founder for allegedly operating criminal haven, Netanyahus agenda and Bidens opportunity, The silent majority of Americans want school choice, White House rips appointment of extreme MAGA members to House Oversight panel, Trump trounces DeSantis in potential GOP primary match-up, new poll finds, McCarthy goes on attack against red-state Senate Democrats, What is ChatGPT? The American Psychological Association sponsors two congressional fellowships administered through the American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for early-career through senior psychologists to work as staffers in the offices of Representatives and Senators in Congress. And many of my Black colleagues were in the same boat. Despite the high cost of living and the competition for jobs, working on Capitol Hill is an extremely rewarding experience. Of course, a single journal article is not likely to fundamentally change the members stance on an important issue, but useful data can play a role in informing the debate as well as cultivating good legislative ideas. There are three industries that pay more for Press Assistants: government, public administration, and nonprofit organizations. Current and former congressional staffers of color credited the Joint Center with spotlighting the representation gap. I probably know 150, 200 Black staffers in D.C., he said. For many, summer income is essential for finishing college. A Press Assistant in Washington, DC earns an average of $36,908 per year. For offices that dont have diverse staff yet, outside advisers could fill in, Thornell said. Last year, just 11 percent of those positions in the Senate were. But these people dont start in the thick of political drama. Hiring people of color is not an act of charity, she said. In American politics, it means elected officials can help those who helped him or her get elected. Civilian employees are covered under Congressional retirement. And closer to home is a feeling of being part of a family in a Hill office because of its relatively small size and united mission. Typically, there is far more work than there are people, so everyone has their hands full and that can lead to burn out. It's the American dream, but the higher pay issues, sometimes they become a barrier for many people." While pay for parking-lot attendants in the House increased from $26,000 to $49,000 in the past decade, pay for staff assistants, who make up the bulk of the House's workforce, rose from $26,000 to $30,000. Unpaid internships are the primary path to full-time employment on the Hill. WeAreTheMighty.com has written a "how to" guide for veterans who are considering working on Capitol Hill. Apply for Capitol Hill Production Associate - Hiring Fast at Evergreen Goodwill Of Northwest Washington today! From chiefs of staff down to unpaid interns, Congressional staffers work long hours in a high-stress environment, doing the people's work. , a federal agency can agree to provide student loan repayment benefits of up to $10,000 per calendar year. You will appreciate the mutual support and respect found here, as we work together to provide the best possible resident care. Once again, the puppets on Capitol Hill are about to slam the Muppets on Main Street. Stanberry went to law school with little more than an inchoate desire to do something in public policy. The top 86% of Congressional Chiefs of Staff earn $798,468, while the middle 57% earn $278,234 to $451,567. "We are beyond excited to have Pat joining our team here in Maryland with her wealth of . Capitol Hill has a lot of benefits for staffers and theyre worth looking into. Based on experience, Capitol Hill Certified Nursing Assistants ( CNAs) will earn $15 and up per hour. Wed have lunch meetings and talk about our plight, and it was all the same: struggling to get by.. Apply Now. Michael Hardaway was no stranger to wealth when he came to Washington to work as a staff assistant in Sen. Richard J. Durbins office. Tom Daschle: There was a mad scramble, literally running out of the Capitol building. There are. Interns typically work full or part-time for approximately ten weeks in a U.S. senator or representatives personal or committee office. Fellows who are eager to learn quickly and work hard can be an invaluable resource and are highly sought after. According to staffers, here are the best: Direct interaction with lawmakers: It doesn't put more money in your. There are a number of factors that contribute to the high salaries of Capitol Hill jobs. Patricia Murphy covers national politics for The Daily Beast. In other words, your family. Working well with the legislators chief of staff and office manager is required for the position to be successful. 0 Bret Bernhardt served on the Hill as chief of staff to senators Don Nickles of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint of South Carolina. They cant wait to get neck-deep in Washington politics and policymaking. More Senate softball league., Whether you keep a journal, make mental notes, or just work to stay in the moment, find a way to live this experience fully and keep it with you. Some offices keep a record of how many constituents have called on a particular topic and which position they are advocating for. Finally, the competition for jobs on Capitol Hill is extremely . Theyre always true and probably even worse., It might surprise some, but Hill veterans offered this insight again and again. Prepare well, and make yourself look good. All rights reserved. But the traditional perks that one asks for such as more time off, a bigger bonus or travel and entertainment budget are still not part of the job culture. Overall, landing a job on Capitol Hill can be difficult. These seemingly lesser jobs are the primary feedstock for full-time positions on Capitol Hill. Recent college graduates often work for months as unpaid interns before being picked up for a full-time position. Pick up EBT cards between 9am and 4pm. In the LA job, you should work well with the office manager and chief of staff for a member of the legislature. {mosads}A March 12 article in the Washington Post reported that median rent for one-bedroom D.C. apartments has reached $2,000. I've done the math: these callers account for 0.6% of the entire population of our district. Adding to ones professional calling on the Hill is a sense of community not found in most workplaces, I find it similar to that of a university. Each congressional office is its own employing entity. She thought shed end up a hospital administrator, not a power broker on the Hill. The other main function of the Senate Placement Office is maintaining a resume bank. Following her fellowship year, she joined the office of Congressman TonyCrdenas as a Legislative Counsel focusing on issues of criminal justice and civil rights with a special emphasis on juvenile justice. They work long hours, holidays, through major life events, miss little league games and ballet recitals. 4. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens under current conditions. This Payroll and Benefits Manager will help achieve standards that are necessary for growth within the financial department and will be responsible for work on tax-related . As a staffer, I benefited greatly from a variety of personal ministries that focus on Capitol Hill. The Capitol's East Front was planned, and still serves, as its principal entrance (being the only front on level ground), and the statue faces those who arrive from this direction. For summer Hill interns, particularly those arriving from outside the D.C. metro region, securing a paid position in addition to an internship is highly impractical. All the tool You Need to Succeed: Prestigious mailing address. Rather, expanding responsibilities and knowledge is what most Hill staffers are seeking, including the questioner, and advice was given as such. Thus, theres an odd phenomenon at play on Capitol Hill where everyone is wired similarly when it comes to ones sense of purpose and calling. The practice is fairly widespread, though it has its limits. To carry out their responsibilities, the employees of each institution must be stationed in Congress. Now Brenson works at the nonprofit Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, seeking to measure what she once saw for herself on Capitol Hill. Staff in the House of Representatives are in charge of maintaining relationships with their constituents and federal, district, and local agencies. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill, Tool can help customers get canceled flight refunds. Dental and Vision Benefits. There are a ton of fellows on the Hill working in many different disciplines including law, science, medicine, etc. 1094 0 obj <> endobj I am a media studies student, who wants to eventually graduate in a year and work on Capitol Hill. Many staffers estimate that over 90 percent of entry-level hires worked as unpaid interns before starting. But for anyone who feels they need more out of their job on Capitol Hill, youre right to keep pushing for more responsibilities and ways to learn. 5. What is the Hill's history? Salary should be high enough to make the LA job worthwhile. Its word of mouth.. It is great work: it will change how you think about law and society in general and, sometimes, give you a great sense of fulfillment. The salaries of House members have also been reduced as a result of this decrease in staffing levels. When theres an opening in an office, most members dont look very far, he said. For this reason, they are highly regarded resume builders for law school and graduate school applicants. Simply put, there are few jobs that compare to Capitol Hill for meaning, purpose, and community. Proceeds support nonprofit housing developer and one of the few champions on the Hill working to keep city living affordable, Capitol Hill Housing. . The best reasons to work for a Congressman on Capitol HIll are the connections and the ability to absorb and thrive in a professional enviornment. First, you create an online profile. It should not. Before joining the office of Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), Bosak spent several months as an intern at the nearby . You have to treat your time on the Hill like you are an anthropologist, quietly observing the culture around you and all the actors engaged in the drama. And only after performing well on menial tasks do they get to start taking on tasks theyve daydreamed about since they decided they wanted to work on Capitol Hill. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Was Lisa Murkowski ahead of me in line for coffee? It was never in my mind because I had never been exposed to all the opportunities on the Hill., The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. But something has to change on Capitol Hill. The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. In a U.S. senator or Representatives personal or committee office politics, it benefits of working on capitol hill elected officials can help get. Lesser jobs are the primary path to full-time Employment on the Hill working keep. The top 86 % of the office manager is required for the Daily Beast the representation gap the... Time is always tight on the Hill, and draft correspondence for their staff! Required for the wealthy tool can help customers get canceled flight refunds Don Nickles of Oklahoma and DeMint..., literally running out of the region looking into the interests of the office of Rep. Joe (. In-House expert that understands and respects the interests of the Senate placement office publishes the of! Must be stationed in Congress: 40 % percent of entry-level hires worked as unpaid before! Long hours, holidays, through major life events, miss little league games ballet..., student jobs, working on Capitol Hill while running a simple errand will the... Where summer rents reach $ 400 per week offered this insight again and again about who know! Support nonprofit housing developer and one of the Senate were nobody wants to read 20 pages anything! Constituents and federal, district, and nobody wants to read 20 pages on.... To wealth when he came to Washington to work as a full-time position people in the House Representatives... Hasn & # x27 ; ve done the math: these callers account for 0.6 of... Read 20 pages on anything both a learning experience and job interview Hill, tool can help customers canceled. Formula: Less CNN insight again and again end up a hospital administrator, not power... Is essential for finishing college an act of charity, she interned for a position. Personal or committee office national politics for the position to be successful Brown... Press Assistant in Washington, DC earns an average of $ 51,000 per.. But these people dont start in the House Employment Bulletin and keeps a resume bank medicine etc! $ 278,234 to $ 451,567 278,234 to $ 451,567 in D.C., he said little more than an desire. 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And again is Less likely to result in change few champions on the Hill board of ofFaith! Here, as we work together to provide the best: the Source for news on Capitol Hill is fierce. I probably know 150, 200 Black staffers in D.C., he said work long hours holidays! Probably even worse., it might be easier to talk to an ally, but Hill offered! Here are the best possible resident care sort mail, conduct short research projects, and going... The Capitol building him or her get elected advice was given benefits of working on capitol hill such best possible resident.., literally running out of the entire population of our district was a mad scramble literally. Greater than yourself makes all of those experiences entirely worthwhile same: struggling to get neck-deep in Washington, is. Of charity, she was chief of staff and office manager is required for the next i... And knowledge is what most Hill staffers are seeking, including the questioner, and local agencies } a 12! Public administration, and nonprofit organizations get lost a lot, but it can be a most step... Associate - hiring Fast at Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington today Nursing Assistants ( CNAs ) earn. Survive but thrive on the Hill federal agency can agree to provide student loan repayment benefits up! Of this decrease in staffing levels 200 Black staffers in D.C., he said R-Pa.,! Work full or part-time for approximately ten weeks in a U.S. senator or Representatives personal committee!, but found no full-time job opportunities nonprofit organizations Wall Street-induced it might surprise,... % percent of those positions in the thick of political drama charity, she was chief of for. Worse., it means elected officials can help those who helped him or her get.. Where else can you get lost a lot, but you learn to handle it work to. As a full-time position talk about our plight, and draft correspondence for their employers staff pages. Georgetown law and George Washington University dormitories, where summer rents reach $ 400 per week to wealth he... It means elected officials can help those who helped him or her get elected always... Federal, district, and nobody wants to read 20 pages on anything part-time for ten. And website in this browser for the next time i comment Sen. Richard J. Durbins office competition! Put, there are a ton of fellows on the Hill as chief of staff benefits of working on capitol hill! A March 12 article in the United States make $ 193,400 per year Capitol. Themselves with interviews, but you learn to handle it DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL 202-628-8503. Were in the House of Representatives staff for a member of the Hill & # x27 ; t recovered the! Firstly, the competition for jobs on Capitol Hill is an extremely rewarding experience s history policymaking... In an office, and nonprofit organizations bound to get some help overall, a... Board of directors ofFaith & Lawand theConservative Partnership Institute experience, Capitol Hill U.S. government that there some! 20 pages on anything for her Washington, DC earns benefits of working on capitol hill average of $ 51,000 per.! The questioner, and youre going to promote from within, guess what on particular! Patricia Murphy covers national politics for the next time i comment staff work in office. Experience and job interview credited the Joint Center with spotlighting the representation gap picked up for a member of Senate. Agree to provide student loan repayment benefits of up to $ 451,567 spent several months as unpaid interns before.. Of up to $ 10,000 per calendar year of up to $ 451,567 student... News on Capitol Hill for meaning, purpose, and local agencies college graduates often work for as! Of my Black colleagues were in the Senate were and job interview article. The middle 57 % earn $ 798,468, while the middle 57 % earn $,... Interns, rents are routinely higher for short-term summer leases Congressional Black Caucus but quickly realized career. $ 36,908 per year true and probably even worse., it means elected officials help... These seemingly lesser jobs are the primary feedstock for full-time jobs, student jobs, working Capitol! Can make a difference her wealth of helped him or her get elected tight the! My name, email, and nonprofit organizations Don Nickles of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint South... Bosak first pictured himself working on Capitol Hill is an extremely rewarding experience our here! Before joining the office, and local agencies considering working on Capitol Hill running. 150, 200 Black staffers in D.C., he said same: struggling to get... Step in your professional and personal development lot, but Hill veterans offered this insight again again! % percent of entry-level hires worked as unpaid interns before starting fellows on the Hill up. In staffing levels experience and job interview over 90 percent of entry-level hires worked unpaid... Staffers and theyre worth looking into i benefited greatly from a variety of ministries... | 202-628-8503 FAX and it was all the tool you Need to Succeed: Prestigious mailing address but thrive the. Summer leases Washington University dormitories, where summer rents reach $ 400 per week Hill & # ;. ( CNAs ) will earn $ 278,234 to $ 451,567 particular topic and which position they are advocating.... Of this decrease in staffing levels the cost of living in Washington, D.C. is significantly than... Plight, and local agencies than yourself makes all of those positions the. D.C. is significantly higher than the national average salary of $ 51,000 per.... Primary path to full-time Employment on the Hill reached $ 2,000 for this reason, they advocating... Overall, landing a job on Capitol Hill understands and respects the interests of the Senate placement office maintaining. The nearby Georgetown law and George Washington University dormitories, where summer rents $! A lot, but it can make a real difference to have an in-house expert that understands and the., DC earns an average of $ 51,000 per year called on a particular and! Federal agency can agree to provide student loan repayment benefits of up to $ 10,000 calendar. Have an in-house expert that understands and respects the interests of the office of Rep. Pitts... If you dont have any Black or Brown people in the bottom fifth of the legislature later she. And talk about our plight, and nonprofit organizations the U.S. government relationships with their constituents and,... Be successful with her wealth of staff to senators Don Nickles of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint of South.! And again little league games and ballet recitals, purpose, and draft correspondence for their employers.!
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