Principal Legislative Analyst (Land Use) -King County Council

King-County,-W; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Hybrid work environment

Retirement plan with benefits

Job summary

The Metropolitan King County Council seeks a Principal Legislative Analyst to lead objective analysis of growth management, land use, and development regulations. The role supports council committees with nonpartisan policy, fiscal, and operational analyses, ensuring neutrality in evaluating proposals.

The position emphasizes collaboration, rigorous methodology, and clear communication of findings to elected officials and the public, with a hybrid work arrangement and full benefits.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Growth Management Act (GMA) and SEPA.
• Experience with land use codes, zoning, and development regulations.
• Ability to conduct objective legislative and policy analysis for council.
• Experience with budgeting, policy and legislative processes.
• Strong research design and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct objective, non-biased analysis of legislation and proposals.
• Prepare GIS maps and basic GIS analysis for land use and transportation policies.
• Provide counsel on strategic policy and operational issues.
• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings clearly for officials and the public.
• Initiate and conduct research on policy matters and identify legislative intent.
• Draft legislation and amendments for council consideration.
• Review annual budget proposals and analyze policy implications.

Skills

Policy analysis

Nonpartisan/objective

Strong written/verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in public administration/related field

8+ years analytical/planning experience

Tools

GIS mapping software

Job description

Principal Legislative Analyst

The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a Principal Legislative Analyst with primary policy areas of growth management, land use, comprehensive and regional planning, zoning current planning, and development regulations. This position is a member of a team responsible for leading or conducting objective and non-biased legislative, policy, fiscal, and operations analysis for the Metropolitan King County Council and its committees.

The policy team's goal is to provide high-quality, nonpartisan and objective analyses of policy proposals for councilmembers to consider when making policy decisions—maintaining personal neutrality is a must for this position.

King County is becoming a global leader whose continued excellence and diverse population is a driving force in the Pacific Northwest. As the legislative branch of county government, the King County Council represents nine geographical regions of the county, sets policies, enacts laws, and adopts budgets that guide an array of services.

At King County Council, we are committed to upholding and promoting equal opportunity in employment. The Council encourages people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions to apply, including veterans, people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. A diverse workforce is a strong workforce.

Responsibilities

• Conduct objective, non-biased qualitative and quantitative analysisof legislation, plans and proposals in order to identify legislative and executive intent, anticipated direct and indirect results, and alternatives. Work with legal staff to identify legal issues, impacts and risks.
• Prepare GIS maps and conduct basic GIS analysisfor land use, transportation, financial, and/or equity and social justice policies.
• Provide analysis and counselon complex subject-specific matter involving strategic direction, policy, organizational, and operational issues.
• Prepare and presentstaff reports and briefings in a clear, concise, logical and objective manner, both orally and in writing – summarizing and clearly articulating analytic findings, issues, and alternatives for elected officials and the public.
• Initiate, coordinate, and conductresearch and analysis of legislation referred to the Council on specific policy and fiscal matters, including new ideas and legislation. Identify legislative and executive intent on highly complex proposals.
• Specifyresearch design and outcomes.
• Participatein external committees such as those comprised of departmental staff, interdepartmental staff, and interagency staff, to stay up-to-date on proceedings, performance, trends, and issues.
• Meetwith assigned mentee(s) on a regular basis providing mentorship and coaching

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings for council committees. Summarize intent, outline background information, analyze important issues, identify legal issues, impacts and risks. Prepare pertinent attachments and illustrations.
• Draftlegislation and amendments as required for council consideration. Review for compliance with professional and technical standards.
• Reviewannual budget proposals, engage in discussions about policy intent and expected outcomes, analyze issues, and develop options.

A full description of the job duties can be found here: Position: Principal Legislative Analyst.

Qualifications

• Extensive specialized professional knowledge of the Growth Management Act (GMA), the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), comprehensive plans, land use codes, permitting and GIS mapping software.
• Long-range land use planning, policy interpretation, and zoning and development regulations knowledge.
• Deep knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant sections of local, regional, state, and federal mandates and programs related to planning, housing, land use, development, and the environment. Knowledge of the King County government, its mandates and functions and familiarity with the regional and local policy issues and challenges that affect King County is a plus.
• Passion for the legislative process; have experience working for elected officials; are creative and intellectually curious; have strong analytical, problem solving, and communication skills; and have a desire to collaboratively work as part of a team.
• I n-dep th knowledge of the legislative process and Council and committee parliamentary rules and procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of project management, research design and sequencing of project steps.
• Interpret and apply relevant sections of the King County Code, and local, regional, state and federal mandates and programs.
• Use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of proposals, alternatives, and conclusions, as well as whether proposals comply with policy. Identify issues for legal review.

Education

The Principal Legislative Analyst position typically requires a master's degree in public administration, finance, accounting, transportation planning, behavioral or social science, political science, business, economics, or equivalent discipline that will enable job performance AND at least eight years of experience performing professional level work in an analytical, evaluative, and planning capacity and/or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.

The King County Council strives to create an inclusive, anti-racist workplace and seeks team members who will thrive in this type of working environment.

With a commitment to upholding and promoting equal opportunity in employment and valuing lived experiences, we endeavor to hire a workforce which reflects the County we serve. People of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions are encouraged to apply, including veterans, people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.

Together with leadership and our employees, we are 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.

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.

About the Position

This position is open to all qualified applicants. Acceptable proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States are required by federal immigration law.

This is a salaried, at-will, overtime-exempt position that is not eligible for the county Career Service system. The standard workweek is 40 hours. Non-traditional work hours and travel throughout King County may occasionally be required.

Full benefits are available, some of which include the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System; county health insurance, dental, and vision plans; parental leave; local transit pass and other local alternative transportation incentives; and deferred compensation plan. To see all benefits, visit Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement https://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/benefits.aspx.

Union Representation

The Principal Legislative Analyst position is represented by a bargaining unit and is the third classification in a four-part series. A $1.50 per hour contribution to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund is mandatory for all represented employees in this union. The pension contribution is reflected in the stated wage rates on this announcement.

Telework

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment, working in the office and at home. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. If selected for this position, you must be available for periodic in-person work.

You must have a secure and reliable internet connection for remote work— a minimum of 30 megabits per second download speed to accommodate video meetings. All staff must commit to standards related to team engagement, telework, and the KCC code of conduct.

Please contact [e-mail] 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 would like to have a confidential discussion about this opportunity.

Job Code

Job code: 246201 Principal Legislative Analyst. This position is represented by the Teamsters Local 117.