Legislators

Description

Develop laws and statutes at the Federal, State, or local level.

Tasks

  • Analyze and understand the local and national implications of proposed legislation.
  • Appoint nominees to leadership posts, or approve such appointments.
  • Confer with colleagues to formulate positions and strategies pertaining to pending issues.
  • Debate the merits of proposals and bill amendments during floor sessions, following the appropriate rules of procedure.
  • Develop expertise in subject matters related to committee assignments.
  • Hear testimony from constituents, representatives of interest groups, board and commission members, and others with an interest in bills or issues under consideration.
  • Keep abreast of the issues affecting constituents by making personal visits and phone calls, reading local newspapers, and viewing or listening to local broadcasts.
  • Maintain knowledge of relevant national and international current events.
  • Make decisions that balance the perspectives of private citizens, public officials, and party leaders.
  • Negotiate with colleagues or members of other political parties in order to reconcile differing interests, and to create policies and agreements.
  • Prepare drafts of amendments, government policies, laws, rules, regulations, budgets, programs and procedures.
  • Read and review concerns of constituents or the general public and determine if governmental action is necessary.
  • Represent their parties in negotiations with political executives or members of other parties, and when speaking with the media.
  • Review bills in committee, and make recommendations about their future.
  • Seek federal funding for local projects and programs.
  • Serve on commissions, investigative panels, study groups, and committees in order to examine specialized areas and recommend action.
  • Vote on motions, amendments, and decisions on whether or not to report a bill out from committee to the assembly floor.
  • Write, prepare, and deliver statements for the Congressional Record.
  • Alert constituents of government actions and programs by way of newsletters, personal appearances at town meetings, phone calls, and individual meetings.
  • Attend receptions, dinners, and conferences to meet people, exchange views and information, and develop working relationships.
  • Conduct "head counts" to help predict the outcome of upcoming votes.
  • Determine campaign strategies for media advertising, positions on issues, and public appearances.
  • Encourage and support party candidates for political office.
  • Establish personal offices in local districts or states, and manage office staff.
  • Evaluate the structure, efficiency, activities, and performance of government agencies.
  • Organize and maintain campaign organizations and fundraisers, in order to raise money for election or re-election.
  • Oversee expense allowances, ensuring that accounts are balanced at the end of each fiscal year.
  • Promote the industries and products of their electoral districts.
  • Represent their government at local, national, and international meetings and conferences.
  • Speak to students to encourage and support the development of future political leaders.

Interests

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Values

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Lay Titles

National Wages and Employment Info


Median Wages (2008): $* hourly, $16,920 annual.
Employment (2008): 64,650 employees