Policy Analyst Jobs in Seattle, WA

Summary

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.

Job Duties

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.

In this role, you will:

• 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 ongoing 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.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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.

Supplemental Information

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited for a virtual interview in the week of 7/20/2026. The virtual interviews will be followed by a writing assessment.

Final interviews will be in person on the week of 7/27/2026. As part of final interview process, applicants will be asked to participate in an editing exercise.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.

Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. A resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your background and describing how you meet or exceed the required qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience listed in this job announcement is also required. Also, share how your personal narrative/lived experience has shaped your commitment to creating equity and opportunity through public service in government in the cover letter.

Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.

For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf

Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work on the weekends, outside of normal business hours. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:

Non-Mission Critical in an Emergency Employees: Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

Remote Work: This position will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

Union Membership: This position is non-represented.

Work Location: Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. The employee will report to work at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104)

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

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.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Sonali Naidu - sonaidu@kingcounty.gov/206-684-2454.