Senior Legislative Analyst (Land Use) -King County Council

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking a Senior Legislative Analyst to lead objective analysis of growth management, land use, and regional planning policies. You will interpret GMA/SEPA requirements, provide counsel on complex policy issues, and draft legislation for the Council.

The role emphasizes independent analysis, clear communication, and collaboration with legal staff, planning teams, and elected officials across multiple regions.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills for policy analysis of legislation and planning.
• Experience with growth management, SEPA, GMA, and land use planning.
• Ability to develop and draft legislation and amendments for council consideration.
• Excellent written and oral communication for staff reports and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct objective qualitative and quantitative analysis of legislation and plans.
• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings to elected officials and the public.
• Interpret GMA/SEPA and regional planning documents in line with policy requirements.
• Assist with current planning, permitting issues, and constituent inquiries.

Skills

Policy analysis

GIS mapping

Legislative drafting

Public speaking

Non-biased analysis

Education

Master's degree in planning/public policy

Tools

GIS software

Legislation tracking systems

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.

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

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-range land 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 abilityto 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