Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative Senior Aide III, Grade N26)

Please note: The salary range below represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $89,721 to $122,876, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Office of a Montgomery County Councilmember seeks an accomplished legislative and policy professional to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Management. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position leads assigned legislative priorities, supervises and develops policy staff, and turns complex issues into accurate, actionable recommendations. The ideal candidate has experience moving public policy from research and drafting through governmental decision-making, implementation, and oversight, and can independently manage competing deadlines with sound judgment and exceptional attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Lead assigned legislative and policy initiatives from problem definition, legal-authority research, and drafting through committee consideration, Council action, implementation, and oversight.
• Analyze legal, fiscal, budgetary, equity, operational, and stakeholder implications; recommend whether legislation, budget action, administrative action, or another response is appropriate.
• Coordinate with the Chief of Staff, Council offices, legislative attorneys, agency staff, and community stakeholders to identify concerns, refine proposals, and advance policy priorities.
• Direct preparation of legislative memoranda, amendments, testimony, hearing materials, committee briefings, and concise decision-ready recommendations.
• Supervise and coach professional legislative staff; assign work, review research and writing for accuracy, set deadlines, address performance issues, and maintain accountability without taking over staff assignments.
• Manage policy portfolios including health and human services, public health, public safety, and shared transportation and environmental responsibilities; maintain legislative trackers and monitor implementation.
• Anticipate risks, escalate consequential decisions, safeguard confidential information, and support occasional evening and weekend Council and community commitments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to independently research and synthesize complex public policy issues, write accurately, manage deadlines, and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Five or more years of relevant legislative, policy, or government experience, including ownership of significant policy initiatives and supervision or mentoring of professional staff.
• Direct experience drafting, advancing, implementing, or overseeing legislation, including committee processes, amendments, stakeholder engagement, and legislative negotiation.
• Knowledge of Maryland or local government, fiscal and equity analysis, legislative counsel coordination, change management, and health or public safety policy.

Application and Selection:

Submit a resume, professional references, and a cover letter of no more than one page. 

The letter must identify a specific legislative or governmental policy initiative the applicant personally helped develop, advance, or implement; explain the applicant’s own role, collaboration, outcome, and relevant staff leadership experience. Generic statements without concrete examples do not address the requested criteria.

Finalists may complete a timed legislative analysis and executive writing exercise. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.