Remote Policy Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $86,988.86 - $116,572.71 Annually
Location : Metro Regional Center, OR
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-1171-COU-G
Department: Council
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: 6/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Max Number of Applicants: 75
Position Summary
This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM on June 25th, 2026 or once 75 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure consideration.
Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
The Council Office is looking for strategic, organized, and relationship-driven Policy Advisors to serve as a partner to a Metro Councilor. In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape policy direction, identify and solve complex problems, and ensure Councilors are equipped to make informed, timely, and effective decisions. This includes synthesizing complex technical information into clear decision frameworks, identifying trade-offs and risks, and anticipating policy implications.
As a Policy Advisor, you will play a key role in effective communication of policies and processes in service of Council and agency staff. As part of Metro's evolving leadership presence in the greater Portland metropolitan region, you will play a critical role in bridging the work of Metro with the broader community and will help advance Councilors' goals and priorities, building credibility and trust within the organization and the communities they serve. This high-visibility role presents a unique opportunity to assist Metro's work in regional land use and growth management, solid waste and recycling, housing, transportation, parks and natural areas, and more, all while helping Councilors deliver on their commitments with equity, transparency, and community voice.
If you are energized by public service, excited to work at the intersection of policy and community impact, and motivated to help elected leaders succeed, we encourage you to apply and make a meaningful difference.
Core functions of a Policy Advisor include:

• Strategic Policy Development & Decision Support - owns the development of clear, effective policy strategy and equips Councilors to promptly address issues, make progress on their priorities, and make informed decisions.
  • Conducts policy research and feasibility analysis at the direction of individual Councilors
  • Works with agency staff to support alignment between Council direction and administrative decisions
  • Synthesizes complex technical information into clear decision-making frameworks that are responsive to Councilor needs and stakeholder communication
  • Drafts policy proposals, resolutions, and amendments aligned with Councilor priorities
• Regional Strategy & External Affairs - positions Council and the agency for long-term success in regional initiatives and externalpartnerships.
  • Supports strategy and readiness for major regional funding efforts (e.g., bonds, levies, measures)
  • Builds and maintains relationships with external government partners (cities, counties, state, federal, Tribes, special districts), in coordination with agency staff
  • Helps position Councilors and the agency as credible, trusted regional leaders
  • Contributes to and maintains a dynamic stakeholder map/tracker (jurisdictions, community groups, business, advocacy, etc.)
• Communication & Constituent Relationship Management - understands and implements effective communication and relationship development.
  • Prepares concise talking points for meetings, public engagement opportunities and immediate responses to constituent inquiries
  • Translates complex policy into clear, compelling communication for internal and external audiences
  • Provides advice to Council and staff regarding effective communication and outreach
  • Proactively builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders to support policy goals through Councilor schedule management and regular communication
• Cross-Departmental Leadership & Agency Navigation - breaks down silos and ensures accurate, timely, and coordinated information flow across the organization.
  • Builds strong working relationships with department directors and subject matter experts
  • Proactively closes communication gaps between Council Office, departments, and leadership
  • Coordinates across departments to gather accurate, timely information
  • Ensures department-led briefings are:
    • Well-structured
    • Outcome-oriented
    • Supported by clear follow-through
• Councilor Effectiveness & Time Prioritization - maximizes the impact of Councilor time and attention by focusing on high-value activities.
  • Acts as a strategic gatekeeper, not an administrative scheduler
  • Evaluates meeting requests and provides clear recommendations (attend, delegate, decline)
  • Monitors agendas and provides input to ensure Council meetings are an effective use of Council time and reflect the full lifecycle of policy decisions, including key decision points
  • Considers when and how Councilor would prefer to receive information and make recommendations about when work sessions or individual briefings are needed.
• Governance, Authority & Accountability - ensures Council actions are aligned with legal authority, commitments, and organizational obligations.
  • Maintains strong understanding of Council authority (code, IGAs, governing documents) and Council rules and procedures
  • Tracks commitments, Council direction, and decisions across:
    • Resolutions
    • Work sessions
    • Formal actions
  • Advises Councilors on how to adhere to Council rules, Metro policies, and other elected official requirements as part of their official duties.
  • Ensures all items tied to Council authority (e.g., code, IGAs, required actions) are timely, visible, and actionable

Attributes for success:

• A proactive, self-directed approach to completing work, with the ability to track agency programs and assist inmoving Councilor initiatives forward.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and communications, often with shifting priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and developing political acumen, with the ability to earn and maintain trust with elected officials, internal staff, and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill and relay complex topics with clarity.
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability, especially in representing Council Office with care, tact, and alignment.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, especially when engaging the public and crafting communications.
• Familiarity with project management practices, social media tools, and community engagement strategies.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and
• Three years of related and progressively responsible experience, and
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required:

• The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a criminal background check prior to being hired. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Hybrid Telework
This position is designated as "hybrid telework." You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.
Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• In depth knowledge of the district in which the councilor serves including established relationships with jurisdictional partners and community stakeholders.
• Awareness of local issues within the district relevant to Metro's lines of business.
• At least two years' experience supporting and advising senior leadership or elected officials.
• In depth knowledge and experience relevant to issues of regional importance including economic development, transportation planning, affordable housing, supportive housing services, land use policy, regional solid waste and recycling, visitor venues and/or environmental conservation.
• Experience conducting public engagement activities and communicating with constituents.
• Experience preparing communications materials including talking points, scripts or content for social media on behalf of an organization or individual.
• Experience coordinating projects from concept development, implementation, monitoring to closure.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Complete responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check
• Background check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $86,988.86 to step 7: $116,52.71 annually. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $86,988.86 to the equity range step 4: $100,700.05 annually.
This position is not eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union. It is classified as a Policy Advisor II.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email: megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
Non-discrimination in hiring decisions
Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions-including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation-must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there ...