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

Position 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 council members 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 council members, and make presentations to Council committees.

• 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 council member 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.

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 council members 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 Council members’ 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…