SACRAMENTO – North Coast State Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) this week announced the availability of applications for the 2009-10 California Senate Fellows program.

The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2009.

Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a senator and also participate in academic seminars with senators, senior staff, journalists, lobbyists and state government officials.

The fellowship program is jointly operated by the state Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University.

Fellows are paid a stipend of $1,972 per month plus health, vision, and dental benefits. They earn 12 units of graduate credit from Sacramento State for the academic portion of the program.

"Being a fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process," Wiggins said. "Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellows program provides valuable training."

Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges, and numerous other elected officials and community leaders. Current Wiggins legislative aide Ana Rodriguez is a former fellow.

Wiggins said fellows experience the broad range of activities conducted in busy Senate offices.

Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, participating in meetings as the senator’s representative, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks.

A five-week orientation at the beginning of the program provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues.

Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate of a four-year college or university by Sept. 1, 2009, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply.

Applications may be requested by calling the Senate Fellows program office at 916-278-7693, or through Sen. Wiggins’ capitol or district offices: State Capitol Office (916-651-4002); Humboldt County District Office (707-445-6508); Lake/Mendocino Counties District Office (707-468-8914); Napa County District Office (707-224-1990); Solano County District Office (707-648-5312); Sonoma County District Office (707-576-2771).

Applications and brochures are also available on the Senate’s Web site (www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/fellows/_home/) and the program Web site (www.csus.edu/calst/senate).

The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 25. Eighteen fellows will be selected in May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of finalists.

Wiggins represents Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties in the California Senate.

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