Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05)
Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09)
Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Senator Mike Crapo's (R-ID) office has created a positive environment of inclusion, recognition and dedication. The Senator's practice of open collaboration is one of the factors that contributes to Senator Crapo's positive workplace. This collaborative environment balances the ability of staff to execute their responsibilities in consultation with the Senator and senior leadership. By reducing unnecessary or redundant reviews or demands for observing a rigid protocol, ideas develop and then are recommended to the Senator for consideration. This type of environment allows staff to exercise their knowledge and skills in the service of Idahoans. More simply, this environment permits staff to do their jobs outside of an overly micro-managed environment. Staff are empowered to work on behalf of Idahoans, and Senator Crapo supports and encourages their work.
With a low attrition rate for staff, a bank of institutional knowledge is in place to help guide policy decisions and to help mentor and train new staff joining the office. To build and maintain this bench of knowledge, Senator Crapo looks first to promote and hire from within current staff members and often finding entry-level staff from the most recent class of interns who have served the office. Unlike most congressional offices, Senator Crapo has been paying the office interns since 1993 when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05)
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) encourages her team to be the best version of themselves and live by examples, and challenges herself to do the same. The office has established a set of core values that are the center of their culture, provides the basis for their daily interactions, and guides the manner in which they communicate and work with staff, constituents and other offices.
Everything the office does do is with a core set of values in mind. Their motto is "Have fun while we SERVE." SERVE stands for Seek excellence, Everybody matters, Responsibly own it, Vigilant integrity, and Embrace change.
They didn't want to be the kind of office that has these values on their website or hanging on the wall to check a box. They committed to making these values to be the center of their culture. It's part of their everyday vernacular, and it's the basis of their hiring process.
Each week at office staff meetings, they discuss these values, where staff succeeded, and where they fell short -- and hold each other accountable. As one staffer noted, "Changing the culture on Capitol Hill starts with us improving ourselves."
Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09)
The office of Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09) communicates as a team. Everyone, including interns, have a chance to work directly with the Congressman and have regular opportunities to discuss matters with Congressman Soto. The office policy is "family first." Congressman Soto leads by example and exudes balance, fairness, and tranquility, which carries over to everyone within the office. Office staff are dedicated to creating a positive office culture where they take care of each other.
Interns have "shadow days" where they go to EVERYTHING the Member goes to. They often share during their exit interviews that their counterparts in other offices haven't had the same opportunities that they've had. Staff are supportive of interns and give project assignments related to their area of interest. For example, an intern may draft an amendment or legislative proposal that Congressman Soto considers filing.
Congressman Soto compliments staff on specific achievements they've made, encourages furthering their education, provides an inclusive atmosphere where staff are encouraged to share ideas and draft legislation they find important to our constituents.
Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)
The office of Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) is dedicated to making their office the most positive and flexible of workplaces, with a genuine appreciation for the staff's hard work, professional growth, and personal well-being. The office's work is guided by the goal to serve their constituents, and that passion for service is reflected in the personalities of both Member and staff. The Congressman encourages and empowers the management team to offer flexible workplace options and professional development opportunities for staff.
The Member takes the time to learn about every intern's background and aspirations, carves out time to mentor each intern class, and has personally called colleagues to recommend outstanding interns in final rounds of interviews.
The office has tailored work hours to fit the unique needs of staff, including staffers pursuing higher degrees who need to leave work early some days and staffers with children who need to work around daycare/school hours and other unforeseen circumstances.
Every staffer has the opportunity to travel to and work out of the office on the opposite coast in order to strengthen DC-DO staff collaboration and gain an appreciation for their colleagues' unique challenges in their roles.
