Chief Policy Officer

The Metropolitan King County Council oversees the second largest government and the most populous county in Washington State. As the legislative branch of county government the Council sets policies enacts laws and adopts budgets that guide essential services for 2.3 million King County residentsincluding housing health land use environmental protection public safety transportation and more.

The King County Council is currently seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Policy Officer to oversee all aspects of the Councils legislative addition to managing a 25-person team of nonpartisan legislative analysts and clerks the Chief Policy Officer is responsible for prioritizing and ensuring the efficacy of the Councils legislative activity understanding and advising Councilmembers on complex policy matters and upholding the highest standards of objective accurate and reliable legislative analysis.

This nonpartisan executive-level role reports directly to the Councils Chief of Staff but is responsive to all nine councilmembers.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the accuracy integrity and timeliness of the King County Councils legislative activity including drafting of motions ordinances and all supporting reports and materials.
• Provide management support to an approximate 25-member team with a focus on professional development coaching and performance management.
• Prioritize assign and monitor the work of legislative support staff providing technical guidance and feedback to policy analysts on a comprehensive list of subjects. Promote and maintain the objectivity and integrity of analyst work product.
• Work closely with the Councils legal team clerk and code reviser to ensure that all legislation complies with King County Code Washington State law Council Rules and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the policy teams participation in the Councils biennial budget process coordinating workflow and facilitating the adoption of a biennial budget.
• Conduct briefings and presentations for staff and councilmembers both individually and at public Council and committee meetings.
• Anticipate significant policy and political issues affecting King County and provide guidance on a wide range of complex and often politically sensitive strategic policy organizational and management issues.
• In coordination with the Councils Chief of Staff represent the Council in discussions with labor partners including participating in collective bargaining negotiations; ensure adherence to collective bargaining agreements.

Qualifications and Expectations

This position requires a masters degree in public administration political science business economics or an equivalent discipline and at least ten years experience performing senior-level analytical communications budgeting and policy work. Other requirements include:

• Advanced knowledge and expertise in public administration public policy budgeting financial planning and analysis public affairs or equivalent that can aid legislative analysis and development.
• High-level leadership and management skills including performance managementteambuildingnegotiation and conflict resolutionchange managementand general knowledge of HR best practices.
• Outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills including the ability to make public presentations and convey complex information to a wide variety of audiences in an accessible thoughtful manner.
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to plan workloads set priorities and manage competing deadlines.
• Extensive knowledge of legislative and policy development processes and council and committee parliamentary rules and procedures.
• Familiarity with King County Code as well as local regional state and federal laws and regulations as they apply to policymaking.
• Judiciousness and discretion with a high awareness of politically sensitive issues and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• An understanding of equity and social justice principles and how they apply to both the workplace and to public policy outcomes.

Recruitment Process and Timeline

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter through King Countys online application system no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday March 15 2026.Emailed mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Please do not include additional materials.

This recruitment will include a series of three interviews and may include a writing exercise to be scheduled separately. Finalists for the position will be subject to a reference and background check.

Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

The salary range for the Chief Policy Officer position is$181306 to$243836depending upon qualifications. King County offers an excellent benefits package including retirement provided through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) offered through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems insurance options including medical dental vision and life and paid vacation sick leave 12 holidays per year and two personal holidays.

Work Environment

A standard work week for most Legislative Branch employees is 35 hours. This position may occasionally require non-traditional work hours and possible travel throughout the King County area. The King County Council is a hybrid work environment with a combination of telework and in-person work at the King County Courthouse. All King County employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite.

Accessibility and Equal Opportunity

Please contact Deandra Stanley HR Managerat if you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you would like to have a confidential discussion about this opportunity.

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Note:If you are requesting veterans preference please be sure to upload a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans administration letter stating your disability. Veterans preference documentation must be submitted by the closing time of this announcement.

Job Classification: 007054 Chief Policy Officer Council