staffer
UK: ˈstɑːfə | US: ˈstæfər
n. a member of a staff, especially in a workplace or organization
n. an employee or worker assigned to specific duties
The word "staffer" combines "staff," derived from Old English stæf (originally meaning "stick" or "rod," later evolving to signify a group of people supporting an organization), with the agentive suffix "-er," indicating a person associated with the root. The term emerged in the early 20th century, reflecting modern workplace hierarchies where "staff" denotes collective employees, and "-er" specifies an individual within that group.
The new staffer quickly adapted to the office routines.
As a congressional staffer, she handled policy research.
The magazine hired a freelance staffer for the summer issue.
Each staffer received a performance review annually.
The campaign relied on volunteer staffers to organize events.