Senior Legislative Analyst (Land Use) -King County Council

Salary: $133,161.39 - $169,624.42 Annually
Location : King County Courthouse - 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appt/Exempt
Job Number: 2026AW28327
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 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.

Job Duties
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:

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

The most successful applicants will possess the followingexperience, 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.

• 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 urban planning or a related field.
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.

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

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 writing skills exercise and one or more panel interviews.

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 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.
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?

• 0-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5-6 years
• 7+ 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

Describe your experience reviewing and analyzing public policy issues. (Please limit your response to 300 words or less)
Required Question