Careers

Description:

The Legislative Department is seeking at least two policy professionals to join the City Council’s Central Staff team as Legislative Analysts (position classification: Strategic Advisor-LEG BU).

This is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the City’s legislative process and directly support elected officials in achieving their policy objectives. Central Staff analysts provide policy analysis to councilmembers on a wide range of topics that impact the city’s residents, workers, and visitors. In this role, you will create work products that are critical in advancing the Seattle City Council’s legislative priorities and policy initiatives, provide briefings for councilmembers, and make presentations to Council committees.

We are currently seeking individuals with backgrounds in public safety, human services, public health, transportation, land use, labor policy, and/or labor relations. However, individuals with more general experience in policy development and/or analysis are also encouraged to apply.

The Legislative Department may consider applicants from this recruitment process for regular and temporary Legislative Analyst openings that may become available within the next eight months.

The initial review of applications will take place for applications received by 4 PM Pacific Time on January 28, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Job Responsibilities

As a nonpartisan Legislative Analyst, you will contribute to important decisions affecting all aspects of life in Seattle. The work of Central Staff includes:

• Analyzing legislative proposals, evaluating policies, regulations, rules and procedures; developing policy options and making recommendations to all nine members of the Seattle City Council
• Evaluating budget and policy proposals including drafting budget amendments and analyzing proposed changes as part of Council’s annual review of Seattle’s $8+ billion budget. 
• Preparing clear written materials, including summary emails, descriptive and analytical policy memos, presentation materials and one-page summaries of complex information to provide councilmembers with the information needed to make fully informed policy decisions.
• Preparing and delivering presentations for elected officials in Council committees and other public settings as well as in private briefings.
• Drafting legislation and amendments to legislation.
• Coordinating the legislative process by partnering with the Law Department, Deputy City Clerks and Legislative Assistants. 
• Working with senior-level staff in the Mayor’s Office and a variety of City departments. 

You will be most successful in this position if you: 

• Are excited to use your subject matter expertise to analyze and develop City policies and support informed decision-making.
• Have rigorous analytical skills that can be applied to a range of policy issues.
• Are organized, detail-oriented and are great at managing logistics, coordination and process.
• Set a high standard in the quality of your work product and desire to continually improve.
• Are proactive in your approach, asking questions and offering options that are responsive to councilmember needs. 
• Can navigate a political work environment with elected officials who may have political views different from your own.
• Are a curious, active learner who enjoys a fast-paced work environment.
• Are motivated to work towards ending institutional and systemic racism and can point to real-world examples where you’ve had an impact on advancing racial equity.