Legislative Session Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $120,000.00 - $149,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04952
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 06/15/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Title- Legislative Affairs Director
Classification- EMS 3- Civil Service Exempt
Job Status- Full-Time-Exempt
WDFW Program- Director's officeDuty Station- Thurston County, Olympia, Washington
Hybrid Telework- The successful candidate may be able to tele-work 2 days a week when legislature is not in session at the discretion of the Director.
Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until July 15, 2026. The first review of applications will take place on July 1, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.
Learn more about
Lupines framing the Washington State Capitol. Photo Credit: WDFW - Anour Esa
Help shape the future of one of Washington's most visible and impactful natural resource agencies.
As Legislative Director, you will serve as a key member of the Director's Policy Team, providing strategic counsel on legislative and policy issues and representing the agency before lawmakers, tribal governments, federal partners, and stakeholders.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and execution of the agency's legislative program, including advancing agency-request legislation and responding to proposed legislation affecting WDFW's mission, statutory authority, and budget.
• Serves as a senior policy advisor to the Director and Executive Management Team, providing strategic guidance on legislative, budgetary, and public policy issues that influence agency direction and priorities.
• Represents the agency in high-level external affairs and intergovernmental engagement, coordinating with legislators, legislative staff, tribal governments, stakeholders, lobbyists, and other governmental partners on policy and legislative matters.
• Provides leadership and direction to the state and federal legislative team, ensuring alignment between legislative strategy, policy development, and agency priorities.
• Oversees coordination of legislative activities with related agency processes, including rulemaking and SEPA-related considerations, to ensure consistency, compliance, and strategic alignment.
• Engages in ongoing executive-level decision support, including advising on emerging legislative issues and supporting negotiation and strategy development during legislative session and interim periods.

• Performs other duties as assigned in support of executive leadership and evolving legislative priorities.

Working Conditions:

• This is a high-visibility executive leadership role operating at the center of state policy and decision-making.
• Primary work is conducted in an office environment with frequent engagement in legislative and intergovernmental forums, including occasional field visits and legislative tours.
• Requires regular local and statewide travel, with occasional overnight trips to regional offices and partner locations.
• During legislative session, extended and flexible work hours are expected, including evenings and weekends, to effectively represent the agency's priorities in a fast-paced and high-stakes policy environment.
• Regular interaction with legislators, legislative staff, elected officials, tribal governments, stakeholders, and members of the public, including in high-pressure or politically sensitive situations.

Lupines at the Capitol Campus pollinator garden. Photo Credit: WDFW - Anour Esa
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, public policy, or a related field.

• Five (5) or more years of experience with the Washington State legislature or in a comparable policy or legislative environment.

Professional experience in the following areas:

• Public policy or natural resource policy experience.
• Familiarity with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
• Understanding of WDFW's core functions, programs, policies, customers, and constituencies.
• Established relationships with key government stakeholders and partner organizations.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in legislative affairs, public policy analysis, and government relations.
• Experience advising executive leaders on legislative and policy matters.
• Strong political judgment and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience representing an organization before legislative bodies, elected officials, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the legal, regulatory, and governmental frameworks that affect public-sector operations.

Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant may possess one or more of the following:

• Master's degree in public policy or a related field including a Juris Doctorate.
• Five years of direct legislative experience.

Your application packet requires the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information
In addition to and other , there are other that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the "Benefits" tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at valerie.rogers@dfw.wa.gov
• Veterans only - Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 - Biologist 1 - Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW's efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to and reference job #2026-04952.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
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.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
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.
Insurance 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.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
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.
Social Security
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.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
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