Policy Analyst Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $133,161.39 - $169,624.42 Annually
Location : King County Courthouse - 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appt/Exempt
Job Number: 2026AW27302
Department: KCC - King County Council
Division: Council Administration
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 11:59 AM 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 skilled thinker and communicator to join its central policy staff. The Council's policy team conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses of legislation and policy issues, including fiscal impacts, regulatory requirements, and potential legislative outcomes; staff also present their findings in public meetings.
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.
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.
Job Duties
To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:

• Conduct, organize, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative objective and non-partisan analysis of legislation and policy issues that may be complex or controversial.
• Develop policy and fiscal options for council decision-makers with limited supervision.
• Provide expert consultation in connection with legislation and policy development involving broadly defined subject matter, services, and processes.
• Research and analyze legislation referred to the council on specific policy and fiscal matters. Identify legislative and executive intent.
• Prepare and present staff reports and briefings for council committees. Summarize intent, outline background information, analyze important issues, identify impacts and 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.
• Develop new legislative proposals based on councilmember or supervisor's request and direction.
• 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:

• Expert knowledge of the principles and practices in one or more of the following areas: public administration, budget and accounting, financial planning and analysis, management, social science, planning, operations research and evaluation, or the equivalent that can aid policy analysis.
• Expert knowledge of the legislative process and parliamentary rules and procedures.
• Well-developed math skills to perform statistical, financial, and economic analyses.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills and the ability to adapt to diverse personalities and audiences, collaborate with team members, facilitate small group discussions, and prepare and deliver formal presentations.
• The ability to learn, 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 Senior 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 six 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.
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
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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.
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
Describe how your education and experience demonstrates your ability to conduct non-biased, non-partisan public policy analysis. (Please limit your responses to 150 words or less)
03
Describe your experience reviewing and analyzing public policy issues. (Please limit your response to 150 words or less)
04
How many years of professional, full-time experience do you have performing professional level work in an analytical, evaluative, and planning capacity?

• None
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 6 years
• 6 to 10 years
• 10 years or more

Required Question