Salary: $6,639.00 - $15,397.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: SCS-06152026
Department: Washington State Senate
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionJOB TITLE: STAFF COUNSEL OR RESEARCH ANALYST
SALARY RANGE: $6,639.00 - $15,397 MONTHLY
LOCATION: OLYMPIA, WA
CLOSES: JULY 3, 2026, AT 11:59 PM PST
Senate ProfileThe Washington State Legislature is a bicameral body comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Legislature meets annually starting on the second Monday in January in the Capitol Building in Olympia. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed. Permanent staff work year-round supporting the Senate and legislative members. The Senate strives to cultivate an inclusive working environment that supports diversity through equitable policies and practices.
About Senate Committee ServicesSenate Committee Services (SCS) is a nonpartisan workgroup assisting Senators in developing and evaluating policy and fiscal alternatives to achieve policy and budgetary objectives. This is accomplished by ensuring that committee meetings and other legislative processes operate efficiently and effectively and are accessible to the public. The nonpartisan mission of SCS is achieved by providing the same high-quality service and level of effort for to all senators, regardless of political belief, affiliation, or rank.
For more information on SCS, please visit our website:
Position ProfileSCS seeks an analytical, collaborative, and creative research analyst or counsel. This position will perform legal and policy research and analysis. At the request of members of the Senate, the position drafts bills and other legislative documents and assists members with the development of policy options. The position also provides presentations summarizing legislation to legislators in public hearings.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting the legislative process by providing high-quality, objective, nonpartisan service to the members of the Washington State Senate. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented, high-pressure legislative environment.
DutiesSCS provides nonpartisan staff support to the members and committees of the Washington State Senate in Olympia, Washington. Duties include:
- Performing legal and policy research and analysis.
- Drafting bills, amendments, and other legislative documents.
- Developing and evaluating policy alternatives to assist Senators in meeting their goals.
- Presenting legislation and other policy matters before committees.
- Monitoring and analyzing implementation efforts by state and local government agencies.
- Responding to inquiries on pertinent policy issues.
- Developing appropriate professional relationships with Senators, other legislative staff, state agency staff, and interest groups.
QualificationsCritical Skills and Abilities- Ability to effectively interact and promote trust with others who have diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, gender identities, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, geographical backgrounds, educational backgrounds, and disability statuses.
- Knowledge of or interest in learning the legislative process.
- Proven ability to perform high-quality, objective research and analysis in a position requiring high levels of self-direction.
- Excellent analytical, writing, problem solving, and oral communication skills.
- A creative, flexible, cooperative, service based and team-oriented approach to work.
- Capability to handle the complex, difficult situations that are common in the fast-paced, result-oriented, high-pressure legislative environment.
- Proficiency in multiple computer applications, including word-processing software, presentation applications, and on-line research.
Desired QualificationsA law degree or master's degree in public administration, public policy, or a related field is desired, however diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role and will be considered.
Additional Requirements- Long and irregular hours are required during the legislative session, including evening and weekend work. The Legislature is currently scheduled to convene on January 11, 2027. When the Legislature is not in session, flexible schedule options are available.
- This position works in-person in Olympia during the legislative session. When the Legislature is not in session, in-state remote work is supported, except when needed to be in-person for training or legislative meetings.
- This position is full-time and exempt from civil service.
Supplemental InformationSalary RangeRCW 49.58.110 requires employers to provide a full salary range in job postings. The following are the full wage ranges for each of the classifications for this position. A hiring salary will be less than the top of any range, however. The initial salary offered will consider internal equity and will be based on relevant knowledge, skills, and experience:
- Staff Counsel I/ Research Analyst I = $6,639 - $11,505
- Staff Counsel II/ Research Analyst II = $7,459 - $12,929
- Sr. Staff Counsel/Sr. Research Analyst = $8,884 - $15,397
Employee BenefitsThe Senate offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; infant at work policy, optional credit unions; paid subscription to DeleteMe; and tuition reimbursement.
Application Procedure Complete the application form accessed by clicking this link: or typing this URL: https://apply.workable.com/washington-state-senate-committee-services/j/27E94C1940. Friday, July 3, 2026, is the application deadline. However, applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible as screening, interviewing, and selection will begin immediately. E-mail contact
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Senate Human Resource Office at
The Washington State Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, physical, sensory, or mental disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability.
More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance BenefitsEmployees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan ForgivenessIf you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for
exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military LeaveWashington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional LeaveLeave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026