Agriculture Legislative Assistant
Agriculture Legislative Assistant
An agriculture legislative assistant serves as an agricultural policy expert for local-, state- or federal- elected or appointed officials within a congressional or administrative office. They assist in managing various aspects of the official’s agricultural portfolio or other issues relating to the agriculture, including but not limited to: agriculture, energy, environmental sciences, food, young and beginning farmers, commodities, etc.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?:
- Develop familiarity with legislative administrative and judicial systems
- Maintain a working knowledge of legislative documents, legislation, policies and initiatives
- Track advancement of related bills through the legislative process
- Conduct research to make sound legislative recommendations or implementations to officials or other working counterparts
- Create support for legislation and coordinate the introduction of bills
- Brief the official on subject matter and prepare him or her for official remarks and appearances, votes, programmatic logistics, and/or policy implementation work
- Respond to constituents about their needs or concerns via phone, email or other written form in a timely, professional manner
- Attend events alongside the official representative as needed
Recommended High School Courses:
The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, civics, economics and business.
Education/Training Required:
Most officials require that legislative assistants have at least a bachelor's degree in a related agricultural field, political science, law, journalism or public relations. There are some roles that may start as internships or temporary positions and evolve into full-time positions.
Future Job Market Outlook:
Typical Employers:
Agriculture legislative assistants are employed by local-, state- or federal-elected or appointed officials within a congressional or administrative office.
Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations:
- Association of Government Relations Professionals
- State Agribusiness Associations
- Partisan Congressional Committees
