Legislative Policy Analyst

King County • Seattle, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join Our Team as the Legislative Policy Analyst (Government Relations Administrator) Department of Local Services (DLS) – King County. The Legislative Policy Analyst (Government Relations Administrator) is the key resource within the department to coordinate the review, development, and drafting of reports and legislation amending King County land use policy and building codes. The position requires regular coordination with staff and leadership within the department, and across partner departments, to facilitate code reviews and analysis, develop legislative documents, and plan for and monitor legislative actions. This may involve prioritizing and coordinating opportunities to comment, testify or otherwise communicate about new and emerging issues and ongoing policy debates with direct impact and relevance to the mission of the Department. In addition to working on local and State legislation, the position will be assigned ongoing projects that support the department or interdepartmental efforts on a variety of policy issues. The incumbent must work constructively with other departments, the King County Council, and the Office of the King County Executive. This position reports to DLS’s Director of Policy and Government Relations. This position operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, respond to emerging legislative and policy issues, and adapt quickly to changing timelines and stakeholder needs. About the Department of Local Services: King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, Road Services, and Permitting divisions, as well as long-range planning, code writing, subarea planning, and comprehensive planning teams. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas. Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience researching, analyzing, and/or advancing federal, state, or local legislation, including but not limited to tracking and analyzing legislation, staffing an elected official/senior leader, community organizing, or lobbying.
• Experience developing, amending, interpreting, and recommending building and land use regulations related to urban, rural, and resource land use issues.
• Experience working with the Washington State Growth Management Act, the Washington Shorelines Act, and the State Environmental Policy Act, or similar laws.
• Exceptional communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; skill at facilitating diverse groups of participants to express their views and help design solutions in a constructive and non-threatening environment.
• Experience drafting legislation and reports.
• Strong project management skills, including demonstrable experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate complex bureaucracies and establish strong working relationships and partnerships across teams with different interests.
• Advanced experience working successfully within a political framework including making presentations and recommendations to and supporting the work of elected and appointed bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to marshal resources and project manage multiple policy and legislative efforts.
• Excellent written and public speaking skills.
• Experience translating complex subject matter and terminology into succinct, accessible information for elected officials and the public.
• Skills in reading and interpreting programs, laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state, and local agencies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a senior role (i.e. a role with substantial responsibility, risk, and judgement calls) within a large or complex organization.
• Experience with developing and implementing progressive, contextual environmental and energy regulations.
• Experience with developing and implementing regulations that meet the needs of new or emerging industries or land uses.

Responsibilities

• Work with staff within the department, and across other departments, to review and draft proposed legislation (i.e., ordinances and motions) impacting King County codes and policies.
• Review and draft reports and other deliverables due to the County Council.
• Serve as a backup point of contact for staff in the Executive’s Office and the County Council for legislative matters that originate within or impact the department.
• Work with the Department Director and Division Directors to identify top federal and state budget and policy priorities for the Department.
• Work with issue experts within the department to conduct research and analysis to inform the development of proposals.
• Lead or work with communications staff to prepare policy fact sheets, update web sites, and develop other handouts for use by DLS in educating policymakers and community partners.
• Work with counterparts in other departments and external partners to move forward large, complex policy efforts.
• Assist the Policy and Government Relations Director and the Long-Range Planning Manager with planning the department’s annual legislative calendar, monitor the status of active legislation, and coordinate with the Executive’s Office on State and federal legislative matters that concern the department.
• As assigned, provide staff support to or lead interdepartmental, interbranch, or interjurisdictional teams; provide staff support to community engagement efforts.
• As assigned, support or take lead responsibility for ad hoc or on-going projects that relate to the work of the department.
• Monitor Council meeting agendas for items relevant to DLS and coordinate staff participation in King County Council meetings.
• Maintain and support a culture of customer service excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Applying equity and racial and social justice is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

Benefits

• Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.
• The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed