Legislative Fellowship, New York State Senate
Organization: New York State Senate
Position Title: Legislative Fellowship
Location: Albany, New York
Dates and compensation: September 10, 2015 – July 13, 2016; A Grant-in-Study Stipend is awarded — $33,000 — distributed in biweekly installments prorated from the first day to the last day of enrollment. Some benefi t options are available (health, dental, vision, life insurance, and the New York State retirement program)
Application Deadline: April 28, 2015
Description: Each Legislative Fellow is assigned to a specific Senator’s office, where they will function largely as if they were regular staff. While duties vary depending on the needs of the member, Legislative Fellows generally perform in-depth policy research, take part in meetings with various interest groups and constituents, and attend legislative sessions.
Qualifications: In most cases, Fellows must be full-time matriculated graduate students in an accredited university during the immediate previous spring and fall semesters. Fellowships are open to all Academic Majors. The Biggane Fellow may be a person in midcareer, at the time of application. Biggane applicants need not be currently enrolled in graduate-level study, but must have previous graduate-level experience
How to Apply: Writing samples: The first writing sample is an essay. Any topic is acceptable. The essay may be a paper or portion of a paper previously prepared for a class. The essay should be between 6-10 pages (double-spaced, single-sided 8.5 x 11). The second writing sample is to be a policy proposal (single-spaced, one page). The third writing sample is to be a rebuttal of your policy proposal (single-spaced, one page). The fourth writing sample is your Statement of Purpose. It should be no more than two single-spaced, 8.5 x 11 pages. The Statement should explain why you are applying, what you hope to accomplish, and which fellowship you prefer and why.
Interviews and Selection Interviews will be scheduled during the months of May and June and selections determined in July. Office Placement All office placements are arranged by the Office of Student Programs only. Each Fellow is assigned to a specific office and is expected to function as a regular staff member. While most placements are to the office of an elected member, the Roth, Wiebe, and Biggane placements are made to central staff offices rather than the office of an elected member. The Roth placement is made to the Senate Majority Press Office, the Wiebe placement to the Majority Counsel/Program Services Office, and the Biggane placement to the Senate Finance Committee. Concurrent employment, on-campus obligations, and class work that may conflict with fellowship commitments are prohibited. Upon arrival in September, Fellows participate in an orientation program in addition to regularly scheduled informational forums.
Send application to: Nicholas J. Parrella, M.A., Director Offi ce of Student Programs Mail to: NYS Senate, Legislative Offi ce Building #1426, Albany, NY 12247 Location: 80 South Swan Street, Suite 1426, Albany, NY 12210
www.nysenate.gov/department/student-programs
Tel: (518) 455-2611 • E-mail: [email protected] • Fax: (518) 426-6827
