Principal Policy Analyst - Human Services

Full Job Description

This work is in office primarily with some remote work.

This recruitment may be used to fill other policy positions with the Council.

Requirements

Why It's a Great Opportunity: We are looking for an accomplished Principal Policy Analyst who brings a strong background in public policy and research.

As a member of a team supporting the work of the Pierce County Council, you will be responsible for analyzing, developing, and monitoring policy in the areas of behavioral health, health and human services, and youth and aging services.

Experience in other policy areas such as homelessness, affordable housing, and public safety is helpful.

As a non-partisan Principal Policy Analyst you will develop, mentor and supervise other Policy Analysts.

You will work with and support a variety of complex and challenging topics in assigned policy areas developing and presenting policy options for Council consideration.

You will frequently interact with County departments, outside agencies and stakeholders to inform policy options and to communicate Council and Councilmember priorities.

You will also manage the operations and work program of one or more Council Committees.

Why It's a Great Organization: The Pierce County Council is the legislative and policy-making body of Pierce County government. As a Home Rule Charter County, Pierce County operates with a clear separation between the elected County Executive and the seven-member, district-based County Council.

Serving a population of more than 925,000 residents, the Council reviews and acts on hundreds of ordinances and resolutions each year, providing oversight and direction on a wide range of issues affecting the County.

The Council also reviews and adopts the County’s budget, a critical process that allocates resources and sets priorities for County services.

Working in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, the Council regularly engages with the public and receives briefings from executive departments and other elected officials to ensure transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.

Through close collaboration with County leadership, partner jurisdictions, and the community, the Council plays a central role in shaping the future of Pierce County.

Learn more about the Pierce County Council here.

How to be Successful in the Role: We are looking for a leader who will support, develop and lead a strong team of analysts and who understands, synthesizes, and summarizes complex information in a manner that can be easily conveyed to others.

Someone with strong listening and speaking skills, and be able to effectively work with elected officials, County departments, other public agencies and units of government, stakeholders and the public on variety of policy and fiscal issues.

Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

You should be familiar with the role of county government, the legislative process, and legislative bodies; and will be public service focused, and solutions oriented.

Your Future in this Role: A career with Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success.

Through our robust online learning and variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development throughout your journey.

This dedication extends beyond individual advancement, it reflects a broader mission to foster welcoming communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• With limited supervision and a large degree of discretion, provides advanced professional expertise on highly complex, sensitive, and confidential policy and fiscal issues that impact Pierce County.
• Assists the Council and Councilmembers to develop, evaluate, and respond to legislation to achieve their policy objectives. Understands policy intent and expected outcomes, analyzes issues, develops options and proposals.
• Analyzes, interprets, and synthesizes large amounts of complex or controversial information into objective, accurate and useful information for Councilmembers, stakeholders, and the public.
• Communicates information in an objective and nonpartisan manner that makes issues and policy/fiscal options easy for the Council, stakeholders, and the public to understand. Regularly appears before the Council and its committees to present information and analyses.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, memoranda (and amendments to such documents), letters, and other relevant correspondence.
• Plans and manages committee operations and undertakes large complex issues of assigned committees. Ensures committee operations run efficiently, including supervision of staff and management of work programs.

Fosters a work culture of neutral, nonpartisan, and objective service to elected and appointed officials, and maintaining the confidentiality of their communications.

Exhibit and expect a high level of integrity, ethics, and transparency from assigned staff. Establish performance standards, provide mentorship, and conduct performance evaluation of assigned staff.

Learn more about the Principal Policy Analyst here.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of public sector experience working in public policy development and analysis; including research of policy, legislation, or strategic planning and implementation.
• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis?

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of direct experience working with elected officials, boards/commissions, or a committee work program for a government entity.
• Two years of experience supervising or mentoring personnel.
• J.D., Ph. D., or Master’s degree in public administration.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Additional Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• **Submit a current resume, cover letter to be used as a writing sample.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date.

Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step.

We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career.

We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.

Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?