Public Safety Lead Policy Advisor

King County • Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

King County is launching an ambitious effort to ensure that government delivers high quality, efficient and equitable services to every resident. To support this work, we are seeking a collaborative, strategic, and deeply knowledgeable Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor to Executive Zahilay. The Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor will be a member of the Policy and Innovation team. This role will serve with a team of policy leads, each representing a specific priority of Executive Zahilay. This position will work in partnership with the new Criminal Legal System Policy Lead Advisor and will be part of the Breaking the Cycle policy team within the Executive office. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Innovation, the Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor will help guide policy direction for their portfolio and work closely with County departments and partners to integrate and align policy priorities involving public safety across the enterprise. This leader will provide policy analysis and recommendations to support innovative program development. The ideal candidate brings not only policy subject matter expertise, but also a strong understanding of how to translate policy to implementation. Success in this role requires subject matter expertise, familiarity with community and government relations, and the ability to lead policy solutions that advance the Executive’s goals.

Requirements

• Significant experience (8+ years) working in policy, public policy, or related roles impacting public safety, including experience working in or collaboration with the criminal legal system.
• A willingness to work with all legal and public safety partners, including victim advocacy groups, prosecutors, public defenders and community-based organizations.
• Strong ability to facilitate challenging conversations where there are multiple perspectives and competing interests.
• A proven record of leading and facilitating efforts to translate policy into measurable results.
• A deep commitment to transparency, equity, and service excellence in government.
• Experience engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including law enforcement, community-based organizations, and community members impacted by gun violence.
• Strong relationship-building skills with experience engaging elected officials, senior leaders, and strategic partners.
• Excellent analytical and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated record of follow-through, attention to detail, and accountability in managing deadlines and deliverables.

Nice To Haves

• Strategic and Analytical: Sees the big picture, uses data to inform decisions, and can develop and deploy effective strategy.
• Equity-Centered: Embeds fairness, inclusion, and community impact into policy work.
• Collaborative: Works across departments and builds strong partnerships to drive the policy agenda.
• Results-Oriented: Connects policy to action, driving measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Work in close partnership with the Criminal Legal System Policy Lead Advisor to develop and implement the Executive’s broader policy priorities across public safety and the criminal legal system.
• Lead, manage, and support the Executive’s work on key public safety projects and initiatives, including alternative response programs, gun violence prevention and reduction, neighborhood-based safety strategies, diversion efforts, and more.
• Lead policy development on prevention efforts and systems alignment intended to break cycles of incarceration, crisis care, emergency medical care and homelessness. Included in that work is a focus on youth and young adult population.
• Research policies to provide clear guidance of evidence informed strategies that help reach the desired results and outcomes.
• Coordinate policy development across legal system partners that is focused on the appropriate systems of care, as well as the necessary system for discharge and re-entry.
• Work to build and maintain trusting relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders, including community-based organizations and others.
• Participate in efforts around the Executive’s “Breaking the Cycle” Initiative with a focus on public safety.
• Work in close partnership with the Community, Service and Response Director and CSR team in the Executive office to coordinate community-based gun violence prevention initiatives.
• Represent the Executive in meetings and working groups related to community safety policy.
• Work with the Director of Policy and Innovation, Deputy Director of Policy and Innovation, other policy leads and members of the Executive’s Office on strategies to integrate policy priorities into broader organizational strategy and cross-functional initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive executive-level salary, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and leave benefits
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Ability to make a meaningful impact on how King County delivers for its residents

What This Job Offers

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