Binghamton District Office Staff Assistant

This position will be continually posted. Please be aware that due to the strong response to this advertisement, faxed or 'snail-mailed' resumes will no longer receive consideration. By clicking 'APPLY NOW' your application is transmitted instantaneously. Please do not call to confirm receipt of a resume. Phone call inquiries are discouraged.

Job DescriptionWorking with a professional team of more than twenty highly-experienced staffers that work closely together on exciting and interesting projects. This entry-level position involves answering constituent inquiries, supporting public affairs projects, coordinating the Senator’s schedule or handling legislation. Responsibilities include research and writing of memos, letters, briefings and special communication projects, accompanying or standing-in for Senator Libous and Senior Staff at meetings or public events, and negotiating with other legislative and executive level staff.





About the Office



New York State Senator Libous (R-C) is currently serving his ninth term representing nearly 300,000 residents in the Greater Binghamton, New York region. He is best known for his successful efforts to create new jobs, help persons with disabilities, and to fight drug and alcohol abuse among our kids.



In 2005, the Senator was appointed to two new chair posts by the Senate Majority Conference. Senator Libous is the new Assistant Majority Leader for House Operations. He'll also now serve as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, one of the legislative committees responsible for direct oversight on two major state agencies: the Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles; as well as sharing oversight on the Thruway Authority and Metropolitan Transit Authority. Together, these agencies have an operating budget of more than $6 billion dollars.



From 1994 to 2004, Senator Libous served as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. This Committee oversaw the work of the state agencies responsible for operation and regulation of programs for people with disabilities: the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Before becoming Chairman, Senator Libous time and again proved his commitment to persons with disabilities by sponsoring bills that created the Motorized Wheelchair Lemon Law, prohibited insurance discrimination and helped persons with disabilities find supported employment. As Chairman, the Senator authored laws to create the Traumatic Brain Injury Program within the Department of Health, to require reasonable accommodations in employment and to provide tax credits to employers who hire persons with disabilities.



Prior to his work in the Mental Hygiene arena, Senator Libous served as Chairman of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee from 1989 to 1993. In that role, Senator Libous sponsored legislation to help curb underage drinking, required schools to teach the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and limited the forms of ID that can be used to purchase alcohol. He also created the well-known YES! Safe Choices for Kids program that supports drug abuse prevention in the 25 school districts in Broome, Chenango and Tioga Counties. Each year, YES! Safe Choices for Kids trains hundreds of high school students to teach the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse to elementary school students.



To further his commitment to the school children in his community, Senator Libous partners with the Four County Library System in promoting the BOOKS Program. BOOKS encourages kids to spend quality reading time aside from academic pursuits. Through incentives, events and program grants, BOOKS gives tips and resources for parents to develop an enjoyment of reading in their children.



As a recognized and respected leader in the Senate Republican Conference, Senator Libous is one of the four Regional Chairmen on the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. Senator Libous is responsible for coordinating Republican Senate campaigns in the upstate eastern region of New York. His continually staffed campaign office, The Friends of Senator Libous Committee, is involved in regular polling, media production, voter contact, fundraising and political strategy and management for his races and other high-profile local and statewide races.



Senator Libous is perhaps best known for hosting his annual Steak Roast in August which attracts over 4000 patrons – often considered the premier Republican political event in upstate New York.



For additional information about the Senate Office or its major programs, please visit:



www.nysenate52.com



www.booksprogram.com



www.YESSafeChoices.org





Job Requirements



Candidates should be able to write and speak efficiently and confidently in a fast moving and challenging work environment. Prior political campaign experience, Internet, and computer skills are very helpful. Training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Communications, Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, Information Services, or Performing Arts are preferred. We offer an intensive certification program, along with extensive in-house training, competitive salary, benefits and retirement plans. Our current starting annual salary is $29,000.



Successful candidates undergo an intensive series of interviews and background checks. Reimbursement is available for most travel and relocation costs associated with this recruitment.

About the Area



The Greater Binghamton region is at the center of the Senator’s district in Upstate New York. Greater Binghamton boasts an exceptionally high quality of life with low crime rates, affordable housing and brief commutes. The region also includes Binghamton University; one of the premier public colleges in the country as listed annually in national publications. The larger, private institutions of Cornell and Syracuse Universities are also a short drive from the region.



The Greater Binghamton area is an exceptional place to live. The region offers new residents a high quality of life with affordable housing, numerous opportunities for cultural activities, spectator sports, recreation, shopping and more. At the same time, the region has a small-town feel, making it easy for newcomers to become involved right from the start.



The outdoors enthusiast will fill their calendar with fall/winter’s finest pleasures of downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice-skating. In spring/summer, hiking, biking, fishing and swimming are only a part of the available activities. The community enjoys a strong record for sponsoring major athletic events. The area hosts year-round professional sports with minor league franchises of the New York Mets and the Ottawa Senators, and an annual PGA golf tournament event, the B.C. Open. Binghamton University is also home to NCAA Division I sports teams, competing year round in baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball and tennis.



The arts aficionado will do well here, sampling the wide range of events available: a world-class opera company, a philharmonic orchestra, theater productions, an annual Summer Music Festival and Broadway theater touring shows. The prestigious First Night International also claims a presence here with the nationally-recognized First Night Binghamton Celebration, an alcohol-free, family New Year’s evening with live performances, special attractions and the area’s most stunning fireworks displays.



The Southern Tier can also whet your shopping appetite, whether you crave a traditional shopping experience or would prefer the intimacy of antique shops. Greater Binghamton is also short driving distance from award-winning wineries, big factory outlets and stadium-sized shopping malls.



For additional area information, please visit:



www.cityofbinghamton.com



www.binghamtoncvb.com



www.gobroomecounty.com



www.binghamton.edu



www.tiogacountyny.com



www.chenangony.com



www.bmets.com



www.bsens.com