Legislative Assistant

Legislative Assistant

SALARY: $63,564.00 Hire Rate - $66,913.60 Work Rate after 9 months (2025)

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time

ISSUE DATE: 11/10/25

THE FINAL DATE TO FILE APPLICATIONS: 12/07/25

DATE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POSTING: 12/08/25

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of Tompkins County or one of the six adjoining counties (Cayuga,
Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga) for at least one month immediately preceding the date of application and maintain
residency. For Examinations: The eligible list resulting from the examination will be established in accordance with the final
earned numerical ratings of passing candidates regardless of residence. A municipality or district may exercise its right under
section 23-4-a. of Civil Service Law to request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality
or district for at least one month prior to appointment. After the names of residents have been exhausted, Tompkins County must
then certify the names of non-residents on the list.

The Clerk of the Tompkins County Legislature is looking for a dynamic, detail oriented individual to join the Legislature staff
team. This is a new role and will be integral to maintaining the daily administrative operations and assisting in the preservation of
the historic records of the Tompkins County Legislature.

Please include a cover letter and resume.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s
Degree AND two (2) years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time) experience in a senior level clerical position;
OR

2. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two-year college or university with an
Associate’s Degree AND four (4) years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time) experience in a senior level
clerical position; OR

3. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND six years of full-time paid (or
the equivalent part-time) experience in asenior level clerical position; OR

4. Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that specified in (a), (b) and (c) above.

Tompkins County Government centers diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to the empowerment of employees and
residents to dismantle systemic barriers that inhibit inclusive governance and the provision of government services to all. Guided
by our values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Equity, and Stewardship, we strive to build a workplace and community
rooted in trust, belonging, and opportunity for all.

Learn more about our Strategic Plan and Institutionalizing Equity Report, which embed equity across our operations.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This is a confidential staff position that would be primarily responsible for legislative research, drafting legislation, and related
legislative administrative staff work for the Tompkins County Legislature. Work is performed under the general direction of the
Clerk of the Tompkins County Legislature and as requested by Tompkins County Legislators. An employee in this class serves as
a resource person to the County Legislature, Clerk of the Legislature, and other county departments as the need arises. The
candidate will maintain a variety of Legislative records and assists in gathering data for reports and research. The candidate must
interact with department heads, County staff, heads of public/private agencies, a wide range of elected officials as well as
constituents when carrying out assignments. An important aspect of this position is the generation and maintenance of open lines
of communication and cooperation with the Clerk of the Legislature. The employee must be able to exercise a considerable level
of autonomy and independent judgement when solving problems. Considerable interpersonal skills are necessary in order to
perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Attends Legislative and Committee meetings and may prepare reports of the meetings as assigned;

Researches assigned areas and aspects of programs under consideration by the Legislature;

Researches, assembles and presents ideas, programs and techniques which are used by other Counties for the consideration of
their adoption by Tompkins County;

Assists in composing various resolutions as requested by Legislators or the Clerk of the Legislature;

Schedules meetings and conferences between legislators and private/public sector parties in matters pertaining to legislative
functions as assigned;

May assist in the coordination, preparation, and dissemination of meeting agendas, resolutions, and other materials to members of
the Legislature, government officials, agency representatives, county employees, media representatives, and members of the
public of meetings by preparing agendas and other materials in accordance with the Open Meetings Law;

May prepare minutes of legislative and other meeting groups as assigned;

May write, edit, and proof important documents such as minutes, including notes of important incidents such as motions, seconds,
amendments, important discussions, appointments, etc.;

Schedules and coordinates meetings as requested;

Maintains a variety of records and files of legislative acts, minutes, and correspondence;

Writes or edits lengthy, complex narrative reports;

Prepare and review resolutions for formatting, accuracies, and compliance;

Assists in the process of filling appointments to advisory boards, councils, commissions, and committees in accordance with
complex appointment processes and procedures in compliance with the Rules of the Legislature, County Charter, and
Administrative Policies;

Assists in the review of advisory board bylaws to ensure they are in alignment with Federal Law, New York State Law, County
Charter, County Code, and Administrative Policies

Assists in publishing legal notices as required in the County's designated newspaper(s)

May update or maintain Department website

Prepares and edits correspondence, memorandums, reports and other documents using a word processor or personal computer for
Legislators, the Clerk or the Office

Answers the telephone and takes messages

Answers inquiries, obtains information, and disseminates information to the inquiring public on issues before the Legislature as
well as all phases of the Legislative process for members of the Legislature and the public as requested;

Explains County policies and procedures pursuant to the Charter and Code, Rules of the Legislature, resolutions, laws, etc. to
County staff and public agencies as requested;

Assists in the coordination of activities across departments or agencies which require clarification of policy programs, projects or
issues requiring inter-agency or department cooperation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of the legislative process of the Tompkins County Legislature;

Working knowledge of parliamentary procedure and the Tompkins County Legislature’s Rules of Order;

Thorough knowledge of the organization, structure, and functions of County government and departments;

Working knowledge of filing procedures utilized in the Office;

Thorough knowledge of data gathering, data analysis and report writing techniques and procedures;

Good knowledge of administrative principles and practices;

Good knowledge of public relations, principles and practices applicable to a government agency;

Working knowledge of local government organization in New York State;

Ability to present data and reports clearly and concisely in both oral and written form;

Ability to interpret and coordinate the implementation of policy formulated by the Legislature;

Ability to establish successful relations and communications with others;

Good judgement in solving complex clerical and administrative problems;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Assists in the evaluation and implementation of changes in department policies and procedures to achieve higher efficiency

Working knowledge of business arithmetic and basic accounting procedures as they relate to municipal budgeting;

Assist in the preparation of the departmental budget;

Thorough knowledge of format for Legislative documents, papers, and minutes;

Thorough knowledge of filing procedures utilized in the Office;

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply a wide variety of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations;

Ability to operate an alphanumeric keyboard such as a typewriter, word processor or personal computer at an acceptable rate of
speed as well as research technical problems relating to layout and format;

Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and strain;

Ability to exercise confidentiality of sensitive issues and documentation;

Ability to perform research and organize data for the preparation of correspondence and reports;

Ability to carry out complex written and oral directions;

Ability to operate a FAX machine for County business and a reel to reel recorder;

Good technical skills with the ability to troubleshoot software and technical issues related to office computers and a familiarity of
template designs and merge fields;

Originally created 9/2025

L32

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

Falsification of any part of the "Application for Employment" will result in disqualification.

Accepted candidates will be notified when and where to appear for the examination. If you do not receive your notice to appear at least three days before the
date of the written examination, call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources at 274-5526. If an application is disapproved, due notice will be
sent. This department does not make formal acknowledgment of the receipt of an application or take responsibility for non-delivery or postal delay.

Applicants must answer every question on the application form and make sure that the application is complete in all respects. Incomplete applications will
be disapproved.

ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS OR DISABLED VETERANS desiring to claim additional credit will request the Veterans Credits
application form, at any time between the date of application for examination(s) and the date of the establishment of the resulting eligible list. You must
meet the requirements set by NYS for these credits and they may be used only once. YOU MAY NOT CLAIM ADDITIONAL CREDITS AFTER THE
ELIGIBLE LIST HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. IT IS THE CANDIDATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST THE VETERANS CREDIT
APPLICATION FORMS AND TO SUBMIT THESE FORMS AND ANY SUPPORTING PAPERWORK BEFORE THE ELIGIBLE LIST IS
ESTABLISHED.
Tompkins County's written examinations are prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of
Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations, which deal with the rating and review of the examinations
apply.

The duration of the eligible lists may be fixed for a minimum of one and a maximum of four years and may be extended beyond four years if there has been
a restriction against the filling of vacancies in that title.
The candidates must complete a separate "Application for Employment" for each open-competitive and/or promotional examination that the candidate is
eligible to take.

All experience required meeting the acceptable training and experience is full-time experience. (Part-time experience will be credited on a prorated basis).

Appointment from an eligible list must be made from the top three candidates willing to accept the appointment.

Tompkins County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of its efforts to provide employment opportunities to the physically handicapped, Tompkins
County Civil Service has adopted a rule permitting the employment of qualified physically handicapped persons without competitive examination (pursuant
to Section 55 of Civil Service Law). If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and wish to know more about this rule, please contact the
Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Office.

Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, and solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with Typewriter Keyboards,
Spell Checkers, Personal Digital Assistants, Address Books, Language Translators, Dictionaries or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring
books or other reference materials.

CROSS-FILING - APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS WHEN EXAMINATIONS ARE
SCHEDULED ON THE SAME DATE: When applying for examinations across multiple jurisdictions - all of which are scheduled on the same day - you
must submit a Tompkins County Cross-Filing Form. This form must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on the final filing date of the examination. On this
form, list each examination that you are taking and then tell us where you would like to sit. The purpose is to ensure that all of the test materials for the
various examinations that you are taking will be available in one location. If you do not provide the cross-filing form to us by the final filing date, we cannot
ensure that we can accommodate your desire to cross-file. If any of the examinations are State level examinations, you must sit at the State test center. You
will still need to complete the Tompkins County cross-filing form. If sitting at the State site, the State will notify you of when and where to report for your
examination(s) and you should bring all admittance letters to the State site. If you are not taking a State examination, bring all admittance letters to your
chosen testing site. If you have any question please call Tompkins County Department of Human Resources Department (607) 274-5526. The Cross File
form is located at http://www.tompkins-co.org/personnel/CivilSrvForms/index.html

FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS: If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on
your application.

ALL CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR POSITIONS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOCES GOVERNED BY TOMPKINS COUNTY
CIVIL SERVICE MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL REQUIREMENT. PER CHAPTER 180 OF THE LAWS OF 2000, AND BY
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, TO BE EMPLOYED IN A POSITION DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL
DISTRICT OR BOCES AS INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, A CLEARANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT FROM THE
STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED.
In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duties shall be entitled to receive
an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are
qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duties in this municipality, please inform this
office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the
application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has
been established.⒝

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, which will
include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in
disqualification.

TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, 125 EAST COURT STREET, ITHACA, NY 14850