Senior Policy Advisor (WMS3)
State of Washington
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Job summary
Washington State Department of Commerce seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to lead complex policy development, engage with state legislators and stakeholders, and guide the department’s legislative and policy agenda. The role reports to senior leadership and supports cross‑agency and external collaboration.
The position emphasizes independent policy work, data analysis, and coordination with the Governor’s Office and OFM staff during the legislative session, with remote/hybrid work options within
Qualifications
- Experience with policy development and legislative processes.
- Ability to gather and analyze data to inform policy.
- Experience engaging with elected officials and staff.
- Familiarity with grant solicitation and public funding.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex policy development with diverse stakeholders.
- Advise agency leadership with high-level recommendations and analysis.
- Analyze legislation, develop department positions, and advance bills.
- Develop materials presenting policy information to audiences.
- Collaborate on government affairs initiatives across the department.
- Represent the department in meetings, committees, and rulemaking.
Skills
Education
Job description
- Leading complex projects across multiple departments
- A cover letter (enter online).
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.
Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.
Let’s build what’s next, together.
The Government Affairs Division (GAD) is hiring for a senior policy advisor. This is an existing role that we’re filling focused on supporting our legislative agenda and government affairs work. The GAD team is responsible for the agency’s legislative strategy development and execution – engaging with state legislators, staff, governor’s office team, and constituents around the state. Reporting to the Assistant Director of the Government Affairs & Policy Division (GAD), the Senior Policy Advisor is primarily responsible for legislative engagement for the department of Commerce. This position is a member of a small team – director, two policy advisors, coordinator, and administrative support - responsible for the comprehensive legislative and policy agenda development, government affairs, and strategic initiatives that drive the agency’s approach to a broad range of budget, legislative, and policy issues impacting the 400+ programs within the agency. The team covers a wide variety of programs, and we share a portfolio work to independently support specific teams and divisions in the agency. We’ll work together through agendas, process, and engagement, but you’ll have independence in supporting teams, establishing relationships and working on specific policies.
This position leads highly visible legislative, budgetary, and policy development that will substantially advance the department’s mission and vision. The position is a key advisor to the director and executive leadership team, providing reliable and professionally sound guidance on complex policy issues and initiatives, and overall strategic direction. The position also works with the Governor’s Office and staff to respond to and collaborate with legislative members and leaders and their staff.
This position works independently through effective working relationships with Commerce team members, community organizations, local leaders, economic development and industry representatives, and policy, governmental, and academic organizations. The position represents the department in official meetings, legislative committees, rulemaking, and other committee boards, councils, or convenings.
During state legislative session (January to April), you will need to work part-time in Olympia at the Commerce office and the state capital to meet with the Commerce team, legislators, staff, among others.
- Anticipate needs and opportunities for the department and advise on policy direction, communications, and actions.
- Serve as trusted advisor for agency executive leadership, providing high level recommendations, complex analysis, data, coordination and convening, planning, and communication.
- Comprehensively evaluate and recommend high level courses of action to the director and/or executive management.
- Analyze legislative proposals, develop recommendations regarding department positions, and work with and through others to help advance bills and their implementation.
- Advise on and support development of department decision packages, agency request legislation and/or fiscal notes on relevant legislative proposals.
- Develop and/or provide materials that present clear, accurate, and engaging information to specific audiences.
- Collaborate and participate in projects of the department’s government affairs division and/or other agency-wide initiatives.
- Independently conduct and/or lead “just-in-time” research and presentation support to the director and executive leadership.
- Gather and analyze data to understand trends, provide guidance, and develop compelling narratives and graphics to help inform leadership, stakeholders and decision makers about issues, proposals, programs and policies that are important to the agency’s mission.
- Connect, participate, or lead community engagement that can provide community insight based on environmental justice, Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism (PEAR), or co-creation processes to meaningfully engage community in policy development.
- Employ a variety of federal, state, local, and other data sets to understand and support issues and policies
- Communicate with national and state organizations, federal, state and local policy makers, legislative and congressional staff, Governor, and Office of Financial Management staff, advocacy and lobbying organizations, and media on issues regarding policy and political impacts.
Any combination of professional experience and education totaling nine (9) years. This could be gained by a combination of relevant education beyond high school equivalency, and/or professional level experience.
Nine (9) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience Must Include Four (4) Years Of The Following
- Gathering and analyzing legislation proposals, case law, regulations, policies, reports, and other data.
- Interviewing or seeking advice from organizations, community members, stakeholders, or other interested people.
- Building comprehensive strategies for discussion, communications, and official comments with elected officials or staff.
- Technical experience conducting research
- Leading complex projects across multiple departments
- Analyzing and using complex data sets of varied sources and wide-ranging topics
And a minimum of one year of experience in the following areas or work related to the position:
- Developing facts and evidence to support policy development or recommendations.
- Working with elected officials, government agencies, or community members in developing and implementing plans or programs.
- Identifying the specific needs and goals that require funding.
- Research of potential grant opportunities from various sources, such as government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and non-profit organizations.
Education includes coursework in public administration, law, economics, non-profit management, or related fields. Qualifying for education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.
- 9 years of experience
- 8 years of experience and one year of education
- 7 years of experience and two years of education
- 6 years of experience and three years of education
- 5 years of experience and four years of education
- 4 years of experience and five years of education
- 3 years of experience and six years of education
- 2 years of experience and seven years of education
- Effective communication skills –oral, written and listening.
- Existing relationships with policy makers is preferred with strong interpersonal skills including relationship building, problem solving, providing presentations and testimony, and teamwork focused on building and maintaining connections to elected officials, staff, agencies and stakeholders.
- Current understanding of federal, state and local policy development, legislative process, public funding, grant solicitation, and ability to analyze data and policy.
- Ability to take action to learn and grow
- Ability to take action to meet the needs of others
PhD in public administration, law, economics, or a related field, or bachelor’s degree and 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience in public policy development and/or grant seeking.
OR Master’s degree and 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public policy development and/or grant seeking.
OR Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy development and/or grant seeking.
- A complete and detailed online application.
- A cover letter (enter online).
- At least three professional references (enter online).
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. During state legislative session (January to April), you will need to work part-time in Olympia at the Commerce office and the state capital to meet with the Commerce team, legislators, staff, among others. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
- medical and dental insurance benefits
- retirement and deferred compensation plans
- 11 paid holidays each year
- 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment)
- 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed)
- bereavement leave
- an employee assistance program
- as well as other benefits
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment, Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave, and paid holiday. As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay. Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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