Legislative Analyst – Land Use and Environmental Planning (Strategic Advisor-LEG BU)

Full Job Description

The Legislative Department is seeking a land use or environmental planning and policy professional to join the City Council’s Central Staff team as a Land Use and Environmental Planning Legislative Analyst (position classification: Strategic Advisor-LEG BU).

This is an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the City’s legislative planning and regulatory development processes and directly support elected officials in achieving their policy objectives.

Central Staff analysts provide policy and planning analysis to councilmembers on a wide range of topics that impact the city’s residents, workers, and visitors, including review and development of land use and environmental regulations, adoption of Citywide and community plans, and review of site-specific or large area rezones.

In this role, you will create work products that are critical in advancing the Seattle City Council’s legislative priorities and policy initiatives while complying with City and State law, provide briefings for councilmembers, and make presentations to Council committees.

For this position, we are seeking an individual with experience in land use or environmental planning or regulatory code development, particularly in Washington State under the Growth Management Act.

People with related skills and expertise, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, environmental studies, or land use law are also encouraged to apply.

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 on City plans and land use regulations, environmental plans and local environmental regulations, and other policy areas as assigned.
• 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.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification.

However, everyone brings different strengths to the table for a job, and people can be successful in a role in a variety of ways.

If you are excited about this job but your experience doesn’t perfectly check every box in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Legislative Department may consider applicants from this recruitment process for regular and temporary Legislative Analyst openings that may become available within the next six (6) months.

Requirements

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 plans, projects, and regulatory proposals, analyzing data or studies regarding Seattle’s demographic trends and environmental conditions, evaluating policies, regulations, rules and procedures; developing policy options and making recommendations to all nine members of the Seattle City Council.
• Preparing clear written materials, including summary emails, descriptive and analytical policy memos, presentation materials and 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, Office of the City Clerk and Councilmembers’ Legislative Assistants.
• 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.
• Working with senior-level staff in the Mayor’s Office and a variety of City departments, in particular the Office of Planning and Community Development and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.

Qualifications

You will be effective in this role if you have the following experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge:

• At least 3 years of progressively responsible work experience in planning or policy development and analysis in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
• Clear writing and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex information succinctly.
• Ability to communicate the purpose, process, and outcome of your analysis to a broad audience.
• Demonstrated skill and initiative in teamwork and team building.
• Track record of applying a race and social justice lens to policy and/or fiscal analysis.
• Ability to build relationships to get the job done, while maintaining objectivity.
• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education, training, or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.

The Legislative Department recognizes that not every candidate will have the following desired qualifications. However, you may be more prepared for this role with the following:

• An advanced degree in urban planning, environmental studies, architecture, landscape architecture, law, public policy, or related field, or additional experience that demonstrates expertise in and ability to dive into work related to public safety, human services, public health, transportation, land use, labor policy, and/or labor relations.
• Familiarity with or knowledge of how local governments engage residents, community groups, affinity groups, and others in the review and development of municipal-level public policy proposals.

Additional Information

ABOUT CENTRAL STAFF:

In supporting the work of the City’s legislative branch, Central Staff brings counterbalance to the executive branch of government and the Mayor’s Office.

We effectively engage with the other branches of government on behalf of the City Council or its individual members.

Our team provides independent, objective policy and fiscal analysis for all nine councilmembers.

Our team continues to progress in cultivating an inclusive, anti-racist workplace.

We are active participants in the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and seek team members who bring an anti-racist lens to their work, and who are interested in developing these analytical skills in a team environment.

The Legislative Department values diverse perspectives and life experiences, and this position is open to all candidates who meet the qualifications.

We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

UNION INFORMATION

This position is covered by the PTE, Local 17 - Strategic Advisor LEG bargaining agreement.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Legislative Department is located at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave., 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA. This position requires a minimum of four days in the office, with flexibility based on operational needs.

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is exempt from the FLSA and the Seattle Civil Service System. The full salary range for this position (Strategic Advisor LEG-BU) is $108,325.44 - $193,849.92 annually.

The starting salary for this role has been identified as $140,000-$165,000 annually with opportunities for increases as responsibilities and performance advance.

Relocation assistance is available for out-of-state candidates, if selected.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

WHY WORK AT THE CITY

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism.

Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same.

To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered for this position, qualified candidates must submit the following:

• Completed online application and supplemental questionnaire
• Attach a PDF of your cover letter
• Attach a PDF of your resume