Senior Legislative Analyst - Council (Land Use)

The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a Senior Legislative Policy Analyst with primary policy areas of growth management, land use, comprehensive planning, and regional planning. 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:
ADM-Senior-Legislative-Analyst-8-29-2016

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 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.

• 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.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.

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.

This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117. The salary represents a mandatory $1.50 per hour deduction on behalf of the employee to the pension trust.

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 at   https://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/benefits.aspx

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 skills assessment test and one or more panel interviews.  Candidates must agree to complete a reference check when invited to participate in a final interview.

TELEWORKING
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.

King County is an 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.

Please contact Arlecier West, Sr. HR Business Partner at arlecier.west2@kingcounty.gov 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: 246401 Senior Legislative Analyst
This position is represented by the Teamsters Local 117.

Salary : $133,161 - $169,624