Senior Legislative Analyst - King County Council

King County Council; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Council is seeking a Senior Legislative Analyst to deliver nonpartisan analyses of legislation and policy issues, including fiscal impacts, for council deliberations. The role requires ensuring neutrality and effective communication in public meetings.

You will develop policy and fiscal options, prepare staff reports, and draft legislation with guidance from leadership. Ideal candidates bring expert knowledge of policy analysis, budgeting, and statistical methods, plus the ability to

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public administration, finance, accounting, transportation planning, behavioral or social science, political science, business, economics, or equivalent.
• At least six years of professional analytical, evaluative, and planning work experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, organize, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative analysis of legislation and policy issues.
• Develop policy and fiscal options for council decision-makers with limited supervision.
• Provide expert consultation on legislation and policy development.
• Research and analyze legislation referred to the council and identify legislative intent.
• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings for council committees.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Written communication

Public policy analysis

Budget analysis

Education

Master's degree (public administration/finance/accounting/economics or equivalent)

6+ years of professional analytical experience

Job description

The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a skilled thinker and communicator to join its central policy staff as a Senior Legislative Analyst. The Council's policy team conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses of legislation and policy issues, including fiscal impacts, regulatory requirements, and potential legislative outcomes; staff also present their findings in public meetings.

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.

Job Duties:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:

• Conduct, organize, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative objective and non‑partisan analysis of legislation and policy issues that may be complex or controversial.
• Develop policy and fiscal options for council decision‑makers with limited supervision.
• Provide expert consultation in connection with 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, outline background information, analyze important issues, identify legal issues, impacts and risks. Prepare pertinent attachments and illustrations.
• Draft legislation and amendments as required for council consideration. Review for compliance with professional and technical standards.
• Develop new legislative proposals based on councilmember or supervisor's request and direction.
• Review annual 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: Senior Legislative Analyst

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:

The most successful applicants will possess the following experience, knowledge, and skills:

• Expert knowledge of the 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 the equivalent that can aid policy analysis.
• Expert knowledge of the legislative process and parliamentary rules and procedures.
• Well‑developed math skills to perform statistical, financial, and economic analyses.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills and the ability to adapt to diverse personalities and audiences, collaborate with team members, facilitate small group discussions, and prepare and deliver formal presentations.
• The ability to learn, 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 QUALIFICATIONS

The Senior 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 six 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.

Supplemental Information:

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.