Legislative Policy Analyst (Government Relations Administrator)

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 within the department 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 an assortment of ad hoc and ongoing projects that support the department or interdepartmental efforts. The incumbent must work constructively with other departments, the King County Council, the Office of the King County Executive, other jurisdictions, County leadership and the public. This position reports to the Director of Policy and Government Relations.

Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice 

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work.  Our commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose.  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. 

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles 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.

• Work with staff within the department to draft and draft proposed legislation (i.e., ordinances and motions) impacting King County codes and policies.
• Review and draft reports and other documents.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Executive’s office, the County Council, and others for legislative matters that originate within the department.
• In coordination with the Executive’s Office, help negotiate changes to and advocate for proposed legislation.
• Work with the Department Director and Division Directors to identify top federal and state budget and policy priorities for the Department,
• Work with relevant programs and issue experts within the department to conduct research and analysis to inform the development of specific proposals,
• Assess the viability of these priorities in the context of the broader legislative landscape. Identify short and long-term strategies to achieve policy goals
• Organize individual meetings, tours, briefings, and other events as needed,
• Work with communications staff to prepare policy fact sheets, timelines, and other handouts for use by DLS in educating policymakers and community partners, and
• In partnership with communications staff, lead coordination of policy fact sheets, timelines, and other handouts for educating policymakers and community partners, and
• Organize internal and external stakeholder meetings convened by King County to address DLS policy priorities.
• Help ensure compliance and consistency between the policies in the Comprehensive Plan and the County’s development regulations; assist Regional Planning with Comprehensive Plan updates as directed.
• In coordination with the Director and others, plan the department’s annual legislative calendar; monitor the status of active legislation; coordinate with the Executive’s Office on State and federal legislative matters that concern the department.
• As assigned by the Director, provide staff support to interdepartmental, interbranch, or interjurisdictional teams; provide staff support to community engagement efforts.
• Partner with Regional Planning and Subarea planners during the development of subarea plans to ensure consistency with the King County Comprehensive Plan.
• Assess the viability of priorities in the context of the broader legislative landscape.   Identify short and long-term strategies to achieve policy goals.
• As assigned by the Director, support or take lead responsibility for ad hoc or on-going projects that relate to the work of the department.
• Monitor and coordinate staff participation in King County Council meetings. 
• Maintain and support a culture of customer service excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Five or more years of experience working to advance 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 and documents concerning urban, rural, and resource land use issues.
• Strong experience working with the Washington State Growth Management Act, the Washington Shorelines Act, and the State Environmental Policy Act, or similar legislation in another state.
• Exceptional communication 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.
• Knowledge of and experience drafting policies, codes, and regulations. 
• Strong project management skills, including demonstrable experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and partnerships across boundaries and 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. 
• Advanced skills in organizing oneself and others to meet goals and timelines; ability to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to marshal resources and orchestrate multiple activities to accomplish goals.
• Skill in advanced-level problem solving.
• Excellent written and public speaking skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, solving problems, collaborating and negotiating.
• Experience translating complex subject matter and terminology into succinct, accessible information for elected officials.
• Ability to research and analyze.
• Skills in reading and interpreting programs, laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies
• Strengths in analyzing, arraying, and presenting complex demographic data and trends.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience in a chief executive’s office for a large or complex municipality. 
• 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.
• Experience developing and implementing complex communication strategies.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:  Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 45-minute virtual interview the week of March 3, 2025

Those applicants who pass the first interview will be invited to participate in a 45-minute in-person interview the week of March 10, 2025 

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:  A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position. 

Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. 

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 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 Mission-Critical - Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

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. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: 

Erika Yanak
Senior HR Analyst
206-477-0320
erika.yanak@kingcounty.gov 

Salary : $134,493 - $170,477