The Legislative Research Council, the nonpartisan research and support staff to the South Dakota Legislature, is accepting applications for a permanent full-time Legislative Attorney or Legislative Research Analyst. An applicant must have an interest in the democratic process and be results oriented, honest, discrete, trustworthy, and articulate. Duties and Responsibilities: A Legislative Attorney or Legislative Research Analyst will assist legislators by providing accurate, objective, and relevant research information. The significant duties include the following: compile data and conduct general and legal research for legislative committees and individual legislators and present alternative solutions for their consideration; draft and edit bills, resolutions, and amendments to implement legislators' ideas; staff interim committees of the Legislative Research Council, consult with committee chairs to develop agendas, assist with meeting arrangements, prepare background materials, and prepare final reports; review administrative rules for form, style, and compliance with statutory authority; research and write issue memoranda on selected topics for review by the Legislature and the public; help develop prison and jail population cost estimates for legislation impacting prison and jail populations. A Legislative Attorney will also confer with and advise legislators on legislative legal questions.

The successful candidate must possess the following:

for the Legislative Attorney position, a law degree and admission to a state bar. For the Legislative Research Analyst position, a master's degree with course work or experience in research methods or a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, public or business administration, economics, or a related field;
strong research and analytical skills;
very strong writing skills;
a willingness to expand expertise into various subject areas including criminal justice, health care, economic development, taxation, agriculture, and natural resources;
the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in a manner which can clearly and efficiently convey information to legislators and the public;
proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet development;
the ability to work under tight deadlines and extended hours during the legislative session.