Nonpartisan Research Analyst

Description

Staff enjoy flexible schedules including the option to work remotely on some days. Our staff often meet in-person according to the needs of their projects and the legislators we serve. Our office is on the capitol campus, within a short walk of restaurants, downtown, and the Olympia waterfront.

JLARC research analysts are generalists. This means they might research education in one year and transportation the next. The ideal candidate has proven experience in areas like legal research, statistical or economic analysis, interviewing, performance measurement, and organizational assessment. They are critical thinkers who can explain complex issues with plain language and clear data presentation.

Most analysts work on one or two projects at a time. They might lead one and be a team member on the other. Either way, we do our work in small teams that share ideas, value creativity, and give constructive feedback.

It's not all desk time. Analysts interact with legislators and legislative staff in committees and individual briefings. They visit sites across the state to learn more about the agencies and programs we study. Wildland firefighting camps, parks, farms, shelters, prisons, landfills, wineries, schools, hatcheries… we've been there.

Candidates must meet JLARC’s standards for nonpartisanship, objectivity, and confidentiality. Our work informs the Legislature’s policy making and oversight responsibilities. We do not take or advocate for any policy positions.

This is a hybrid position that may be approved for partial in-state telework. You must be a Washington State resident upon your date of hire and able to work in-person at our Olympia office on a regular basis.

Duties

Duties/Responsibilities

This is a nonpartisan position that works in a partisan environment.

• Serve as project lead or team member on assigned studies.
• Identify information sources, research methods, and the data needed to conduct planned analyses.
• Complete in-depth research and analysis necessary to address the study’s scope and objectives.
• Organize and conduct site visits, surveys, interviews, and related tasks as needed to complete project deliverables.
• Proactively and effectively communicate with coworkers and managers about work assignments, expectations, and timelines.
• Give and receive timely and constructive feedback on research tasks and project deliverables.
• Establish and manage effective and professional agency relationships.
• Oversee work of contractors who provide technical expertise for specific study tasks.
• Synthesize results and findings, develop recommendations, and complete clear and accurate reports as part of a team.
• Accurately and succinctly present report findings to legislators.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus five years of relevant experience OR a master's degree plus three years of relevant experience.
• Ability to serve as a nonpartisan analyst for a bipartisan legislative committee.
• Demonstrated skills in collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data.
• Ability to write clearly, using plain language to explain complex ideas.
• Experience scoping and completing independent analyses such as policy research, performance auditing, and program evaluations.

• Knowledge of the legislative process, government operations, and/or state financial processes.
  Experience leading teams or projects in a collaborative way, with minimal supervision.
• Experience managing expert consultants.
• Ability to effectively present analyses and recommendations to legislators, legislative staff, agency managers, and stakeholders.

Supplemental Information

Benefits:
Employee benefits include vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life, and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.

• Please compile the materials listed below into a single PDF.
• Please include your name at the top of each page.
• Send the PDF to LSSHROffice@leg.wa.gov with the subject line “JLARC Analyst Recruitment.”

• Failure to submit all materials as a PDF will result in your application being disqualified.
• The email address only accepts applications. If you need to contact us with questions or other matters, please contact us at (360) 786-7337.
• You will receive a confirmation email when we have received your application.

• Written responses to the following prompts:
  • Describe a project where you had to reach a defensible conclusion with imperfect or conflicting information. Explain how you evaluated the evidence to reach your conclusion. (300 word limit)
  • Describe any participation – paid or volunteer – in activities that could be considered partisan. This could include campaign activities, published opinions (e.g., op-eds), social media posts, or other activity. (300 word limit)
• Current resume
• Cover letter that includes why you are interested in working at JLARC.

We will begin screening applications on March 25, 2026. We may close the application at any time after that, depending on the number of applications we receive.