Principal Legislative Analyst (Land Use) -King County Council

Salary: $146,722.99 - $186,814.58 Annually
Location : King County Courthouse - 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appt/Exempt
Job Number: 2026AW28294
Department: KCC - King County Council
Division: County Council
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: F15 : L117-Legislative Analysts
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

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

The policy team's goal is to provide high-quality, nonpartisan and objective analyses of policy proposals for councilmembers to consider when making policy decisions--maintaining personal neutrality is a must for this position.

Job Duties

The Principal Legislative Analyst will perform the duties and responsibilities of lower-level classifications within the Legislative Analyst Series and will also:

• Conduct 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.
• Prepare GIS maps and conduct basic GIS analysis for land use, transportation, financial, and/or equity and social justice policies.
• Provide analysis and counsel on complex subject-specific matter involving strategic direction, policy, organizational, and operational issues.
• Prepare and present 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.
• Initiate, coordinate, and conduct research and analysis of legislation referred to the Council on specific policy and fiscal matters, including new ideas and legislation. Identify legislative and executive intent on highly complex proposals.
• Specify research design and outcomes.
• Participate in external committees such as those comprised of departmental staff, interdepartmental staff, and interagency staff, to stay up-to-date on proceedings,
  performance, trends, and issues.
• Meet with assigned mentee(s) on a regular basis providing mentorship and coaching

Listed are a few responsibilities from the preceding classification:

• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings for council committees. Summarize intent, outline background information, analyze important issues, identify legal issues, impacts and risks. Prepare pertinent attachments and illustrations.
• Draft legislation and amendments as required for council consideration. Review for compliance with professional and technical standards.
• Review annual budget proposals, engage in discussions about policy intent and expected outcomes, analyze issues, and develop options.

A full description of the job duties can be found here:

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

The most successful applicants will possess the following experience, knowledge, and skills:

• Extensive specialized professional knowledge of 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• In-depth knowledge of the legislative process and Council and committee parliamentary rules and procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of project management, research design and sequencing of project steps.
• Interpret and apply relevant sections of the King County Code, and local, regional, state and federal mandates and programs.
• 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.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
The Principal Legislative Analyst position typically requires a master's degree in public administration, finance, accounting, transportation planning, behavioral or social science, political science, business, economics, or equivalent discipline that will enable job performance AND at least eight years of experience performing professional level work in an analytical, evaluative, and planning capacity and/or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
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.

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.

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
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:

Nov. 2-22: Position open

Nov. 23-Dec. 4: HR Initial Review

Dec. 7-10: Subject Matter Expert Review

Dec. 10-14: Writing Exercise

Jan. 11-15 (2027): First Round Interviews

Jan. 18-22 (2027): Second Round Interviews

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 exercise and one or more panel interviews.

UNION REPRESENTATIONThe Principal Legislative Analyst position is represented by a bargaining unit and is the third classification in a four-part series. A $1.50 per hour contribution to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund is mandatory for all represented employees in this union. The pension contribution is reflected in the stated wage rates on this announcement.

TELEWORK
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. If selected for this position, you must be available for periodic in-person work.

You must have a secure and reliable internet connection for remote work-a minimum of 30 megabits per second download speed to accommodate video meetings. All staff must commit to standards related to team engagement, telework, and the KCC code of conduct.

Please contact Arlecier West, Sr. HR Business Partner at 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: 246201 Principal Legislative Analyst
This position is represented by the Teamsters Local 117.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01

Please insert your cover letter here (in plain text). Do not include any personally identifiable information (name, email. phone number).
02

Please describe your familiarity with 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.
03

Please describe your experience with zoning, current planning, and development regulations, including interpreting and applying land use codes, analyzing permitting issues, and developing or evaluating proposed code amendments.
04

How many years of professional, full-time experience do you have performing professional level work in an analytical, evaluative, and planning capacity?

• 4-6 years
• 7 -8 years
• 9-10 years
• 11+ years

05

Describe how your education and experience demonstrates your ability to conduct non-biased, non-partisan public policy analysis. (Please limit your responses to 300 words or less)
06

D