Senior Legislative Analyst - King County Council

King County•Seattle, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Metropolitan King County Council is hiring a Senior Legislative Analyst for its central policy staff. The policy team provides high-quality, nonpartisan and objective analyses of legislation and policy issues—including fiscal impacts, regulatory requirements, and potential legislative outcomes—to help councilmembers make policy decisions. The role requires maintaining personal neutrality and may involve presenting findings in public meetings. The position conducts expert analysis and consultation on legislation and policy development across broadly defined subject matter, services, and processes. It also supports council decision-making by researching proposals, developing policy and fiscal options, preparing briefings and staff reports, drafting legislation and amendments, and reviewing annual budget proposals. The position is salaried, at-will, overtime-exempt, and represented by Teamsters Local 117. The standard workweek is 40 hours. Non-traditional work hours and travel throughout King County may occasionally be required. The work is performed predominantly in a hybrid environment, with work both in the office and at home. Employees must reside in Washington State within a reasonable distance of the King County worksite and be available for periodic in-person work. Remote work requires a secure, reliable internet connection with a minimum download speed of 30 Mbps. The position typically requires a master's degree in a relevant discipline and at least six years of professional analytical, evaluative, and planning experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work. Full benefits are available, including Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System participation, county health, dental, and vision plans, parental leave, a local transit pass and other local alternative transportation incentives, and a deferred compensation plan.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of principles and practices in one or more of the following areas: public administration, budget and accounting, financial planning and analysis, management, social science, planning, operations research and evaluation, or an equivalent area useful for policy analysis.
Expert knowledge of the legislative process and parliamentary rules and procedures.
Well-developed math skills for statistical, financial, and economic analyses.
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, including the ability to adapt to diverse personalities and audiences, collaborate with team members, facilitate small-group discussions, and prepare and deliver formal presentations.
Ability to learn, interpret, and apply relevant sections of the King County Code and local, regional, state, and federal mandates and programs.
Ability to use logic and reasoning to assess the strengths and weaknesses of proposals, alternatives, and conclusions, and whether proposals comply with policy.
Ability to identify issues for legal review.
Typically, a master's degree in public administration, finance, accounting, transportation planning, behavioral or social science, political science, business, economics, or an equivalent discipline that enables job performance, and at least six years of professional-level analytical, evaluative, and planning experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating ability to perform the duties is acceptable.
Maintain personal neutrality while conducting nonpartisan policy analysis.
Must reside in Washington State within a reasonable distance of the King County worksite and be available for periodic in-person work.
Must have a secure and reliable internet connection with at least 30 Mbps download speed for remote work.
Acceptable proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States are required.

Responsibilities

Conduct, organize, and synthesize objective, nonpartisan qualitative and quantitative analyses of complex or controversial legislation and policy issues.
Develop policy and fiscal options for council decision-makers with limited supervision.
Provide expert consultation on legislation and policy development involving broadly defined subject matter, services, and processes.
Research and analyze legislation referred to the council on specific policy and fiscal matters.
Identify legislative and executive intent.
Prepare and present staff reports and briefings for council committees.
Summarize intent; provide background information; analyze important issues; identify legal issues, impacts, and risks; and prepare relevant attachments and illustrations.
Draft legislation and amendments for council consideration and review them for compliance with professional and technical standards.
Develop legislative proposals based on councilmember or supervisor requests and direction.
Review annual budget proposals, discuss policy intent and expected outcomes, analyze issues, and develop options.
Occasionally work non-traditional hours and travel throughout King County.
Participate in periodic in-person work as part of a predominantly hybrid work arrangement.