Criminal Legal System Lead Policy Advisor

King-County,-W; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and deeply knowledgeable Criminal Legal System Policy Lead Advisor to Executive Zahilay. This role sits in the Policy and Innovation team and partners with the Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor to advance equitable policy across criminal justice systems.

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Innovation, the role translates policy into implementation, guides priorities, and engages a broad set of stakeholders to deliver accountable government

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in policy work affecting the criminal legal system, preferably in Washington state.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school preferred.
• Proven record translating policy into measurable results and programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Executive's broader policy priorities across public safety and the criminal legal system.
• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts across criminal legal systems (law enforcement, courts, jails) and monitor policy implementation.
• Serve as liaison to King County Sheriff’s Office, detention departments, and public defense to align priorities.
• Engage with the Superior Court and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on policy.
• Represent the Executive in meetings and working groups related to criminal legal system policy.
• Foster cross-department collaboration to advance equitable policies.

Skills

Policy leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Verbal and written communication

Relationship building

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

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 Criminal Legal System Policy Lead Advisor to Executive Zahilay.

The Criminal Legal System 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 Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor.

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Innovation, the Criminal Legal System 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 the criminal legal system across the enterprise.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the Public Safety Policy Lead Advisor to develop and implement the Executive’s broader policy priorities across public safety and the criminal legal system.
• Work in partnership with key stakeholders to coordinate efforts across criminal legal systems (law enforcement, courts, and jails) in King County and monitor policy related to the criminal legal system.
• Work closely with the King County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, and Department of Public Defense to implement the Executive’s broader policy priorities across the criminal legal system.
• Act as a liaison to the King County Superior Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s office to engage on policies.
• Serve as the Executive’s primary liaison to the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO).
• Represent the Executive in meetings and working groups related to criminal legal system policy.
• Support cross-departmental collaboration to advance equitable policies related to the criminal legal system.
• 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.

Expectations

• A focus on being out in the county to connect and build relationships with those we serve and those with whom we partner.
• In the office a minimum of 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). There will likely be additional in-person days required. Meetings may not have a call-in option for required in-person days, and the expectation is to be in the office.
• Be on time, respectful of others’ time and responsive when needed.
• Bring an urgency to the work. We will start fast. The work will be intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.
• Meetings will have written expectations, including an agenda with the goals and outcomes. Owners and next steps will be clear.
• Processes and work will continuously improve.

Our Values

• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Timely
• Impactful
• Value Employees
• Accessible
• Trusted
• Equitable

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a?Criminal Legal System Lead Policy Advisor?who can collaborate across diverse organizations and communicate King County’s values and priorities effectively. The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience (8+ years) working in policy, public policy, or related roles impacting the criminal legal system, preferably in Washington state.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school preferred.
• 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 elected leaders, legal professionals, and community organizations.
• 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.

Key Attributes

• 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.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to shape how King County delivers for its residents. The Criminal Legal System Policy Lead Advisor will help bring Executive Zahilay’s vision to life—turning bold ideas into accountable, transparent, and effective government action.

The King County Executive Office serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and frugal stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

We 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. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

Compensation & 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