Senior Legislative Analyst (Land Use) -King County Council

King County Council; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Council seeks a Senior Legislative Analyst to conduct objective analysis of legislation, plans, and development regulations, supporting Council committees with clear reports and actionable recommendations.

Applicants will analyze growth management, land use, and environmental policy in collaboration with legal staff, draft legislation, and provide expert guidance on complex policy issues affecting King County.

Qualifications

• Experience with the Growth Management Act (GMA), SEPA, comprehensive plans, land use codes, permitting, and GIS mapping software.
• Long-range land use planning, policy interpretation, and zoning and development regulations knowledge.
• Passion for the legislative process; experience working for elected officials; strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of and the ability to interpret local, regional, state, and federal mandates related to planning, housing, land use, development, and the environment.
• Ability to understand implications of new information for problem solving and decision making.

Responsibilities

• Conduct objective, qualitative and quantitative analysis of legislation, plans and proposals to identify intent, impacts, and alternatives.
• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings clearly for elected officials and the public.
• Draft legislation and amendments for Council consideration; review for compliance with standards.
• Research, develop, and draft new ideas or legislative proposals based on policy direction.
• Lead or participate in internal and external committees and present findings.

Skills

Growth management

Policy interpretation

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Staff briefings

Team collaboration

Public policy analysis

Strategic direction advice

Education

Master's degree in urban planning

Tools

GIS mapping software

Job description

UPDATE 11/3/2026: Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews may begin the first week of December.

The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a Senior Legislative Analyst with primary policy areas of growth management, land use, comprehensive planning, 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.

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

The successful candidates will, at a minimum, demonstrate skill and ability to, or experience with:

• Conducting objective, non-biased qualitative and quantitative analysis of 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.
• Preparing and presenting staff 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.
• The Washington State GMA and SEPA, including application and interpretation of state growth management or environmental policy requirements, regional planning documents, and local comprehensive planning policies consistent with regional and state policy requirements and other adopted policies.
• Current planning, including analysis, interpretation, and communication of King County development regulations, and assisting Councilmembers with constituent inquiries by outlining legislative options and communicating permitting issues to the Councilmembers and constituents.
• Preparing GIS maps and conducting basic GIS analysis for land use, transportation, financial, and/or equity and social justice policies.
• Providing analysis and counsel on complex subject-specific matter involving strategic direction, policy, organizational, and operational issues.
• Drafting legislation and amendments as required for Council consideration. Review for compliance with professional and technical standards.
• Researching, developing, and drafting new ideas or legislative proposals based on policy direction.

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:

• Have experience working with the Growth Management Act (GMA), the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), comprehensive plans, land use codes, permitting and GIS mapping software.
• Long-rangeland use planning, policy interpretation, and zoning and development regulations knowledge.
• 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.
• 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.
• Possess the ability to understand the implications of new information for current and future problem solving and decision making, and to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths, weaknesses, alternatives, intended and unintended consequences, and whether proposals comply with policy, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to remain objective in a political environment and to properly handle private and confidential matters.
• Be flexible and adapt as required, while working in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Provide advice and counsel on complex subject-specific matter involving strategic direction, policy, organizational, and operational issues.
• Conduct research projects that contribute to evaluation of fiscal, policy, or programmatic consequences.
• Lead or participate in internal and external committees such as those comprised of departmental staff, interdepartmental staff, and interagency staff.
• 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.
• Have well-developed human relations skills to adapt to diverse personalities and styles, establish cooperation within work teams, facilitate small-group discussions, and prepare and deliver formal presentations to audiences that may hold diverse and sometimes confrontational viewpoints.
• Prioritize workload to meet deadlines. This position requires the ability to work varying schedules.
• Travel throughout King County or surrounding areas in a timely manner.

Education Qualifications

Candidates can possess any combination of education and professional-level experience involving legislative processes and/or analysis or planning that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, including a master's degree in urban planning or a related field.

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.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

An online employment application, resume, cover letter and answers to the supplemental questions are required.

Applicants will be screened for completeness, competitiveness, and writing accuracy. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a writing skills exercise and one or more panel interviews.