WASHINGTON — Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz continues to rise through the ranks of Democratic leadership in Washington.

This week Schatz was voted in as deputy conference secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus, a new position within the party’s leadership structure headed by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Schatz will also remain the party’s chief deputy whip, a position that entails counting votes.

The new role comes just one month after Schatz won re-election to his second full term in office. He was first appointed to the Senate in 2012 after the death of U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye.

In a press release, Schatz said he was “honored” to be named to a new leadership role in the caucus. His office, however, did not articulate what his new responsibilities would entail.

“We have more work to do in the Senate, and this new post puts me in a better position to help shape and defend our priorities,” Schatz said in a written statement. “I look forward to working with Leader Schumer and our leadership team on building a stronger future for Hawai‘i and our country.”