Graduate Fellowship: Oregon Legislative Fellowship

PURPOSE: The objectives of the Fellowship are:

to provide technical expertise on marine and coastal issues to legislators;
to provide timely reports on current coastal issues for Sea Grant and other interested parties;
to help a student develop knowledge of the legislative process as it relates to coastal and ocean issues;
to encourage a student to develop skills necessary to work with various levels of government and with private and state resources organizations.

DUTIES OF THE FELLOW: The Legislative Fellow will provide a variety of professional services to the legislature, but will not assume a political position or take the role of advocate or lobbyist on any issue. The Fellow is expected to be objective and cooperative on issues where personal opinions may differ, and to maintain a non-partisan position.

During the fall term, the Fellow will need to prepare for the legislative session. That preparation must at least include:

Studying the Oregon legislative process and coastal management program.
Studying the results of the previous legislative session.

To the extent possible Sea Grant will also arrange preparation that includes:

Attending an orientation meeting in Salem for new legislators.
Attending an Emergency Board meeting or Interim Joint Legislative meeting.
Attending a meeting with coastal legislators prior to the Session.
Attending a meeting of the OCZMA.

Starting in January, the Fellow will be required to be in Salem full time until the end of the legislative session or August 31, whichever comes first. The Fellow will:

Provide some direct staff support to the host legislator, but not routine clerical work.
Provide professional services, as a marine and coastal expert, to the Coastal Caucus, and to natural resources committees.
Monitor and research legislation and legislative issues affecting marine resources and the Oregon Coast.
Attend weekly meetings of the Coastal Caucus, and through frequent visits maintain contact with the staffs of the caucus members and the staffs of committees handling coastal resource issues.
Organize informal meetings of the Coastal Caucus staff at regular intervals to maintain a flow of information on the progress of coastal issues and bills through committee hearings.
Write a weekly report on significant legislative issues and a summary of important happenings on issues affecting the Oregon coast. Other forms of communication may be implemented in addition to, or in place of, weekly reports during the tenure of the Fellowship.
Produce a scholarly report analyzing the progress and final outcome of marine and coastal issues dealt with during the session and discussing potential implications for Oregon Sea Grant and other interested parties.

SCHEDULE

Application due: October 2008
Interviews at OSU: Late October, early November 2008
Selection announced: by November 17, 2008
Orientation Period: TBA
Assignment: Will begin one month prior to the beginning of the Oregon Legislative session and conclude 10 days after the session ends or on August 31, whichever comes first.

STIPEND and LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT: The stipend provides $2,400 per month from December until 10 days after the session ends or until August 31, whichever comes first. Travel funds up to $500 and funds for educational materials and fees will be available. Please note that Fellows are not automatically covered for health insurance through the university.

WHO MAY APPLY: Any graduate student enrolled at an institution in the Oregon University System and has a professional background and interest in coastal and marine policy issues.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Suitable professional background and interest in coastal and marine policy issues.
Excellent academic ability.
Strong written and verbal communications skills.
Ability to deal objectively and tactfully with a wide variety of people under stressful and hurried conditions.
Ability to maintain a non-partisan, non-political position.
Flexibility in time scheduling and willingness to work long, irregular hours during the legislative session.

HOW TO APPLY: Submit an original application to the Oregon Sea Grant office by the application deadline.
A. Application must include:

A letter (2 pages maximum) to the selection committee expressing your interest, why you want this particular position, how it relates to your career plans, and how you would address the objectives and duties of the Fellowship.
A brief resume (2 pages maximum).
Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts. These need not be official copies.
Two letters of recommendation (one must be from the student’s major professor or advisor) in sealed, signed envelopes.

Submit application by the deadline to:

Eric Dickey
Oregon State University
322 Kerr Admin Building
Corvallis OR 97331
Phone: 541-737-2714
Fax: 541-737-7958
eric.dickey@oregonstate.edu

Questions regarding this fellowship may be addressed to Eric via phone or e-mail.