Description

This work is in office primarily with some remote work.

Position Summary

We are looking for a Principal Policy Analyst to support the work of the Pierce County Council. You will supervise a team of Policy Analysts, serve as the lead staff for one or more policy committees, and provide mentorship and supervision to less experienced policy staff. The position is non-partisan and serves the Pierce County Council under the management of the Deputy Chief of Staff/Policy Director. Work is primarily performed in the office with some remote work. Minimum qualifications are listed below.

You may also be considered for recruitment at the Senior Policy Analyst level if job openings at this level occur during the year. A Senior Policy Analyst is similar to a Principal Policy Analyst but is not responsible for direct supervision of policy staff.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
As an accomplished analyst with a strong background in public land use, environment, infrastructure, or economic development policy and research, you will analyze legislation and policy matters and will assist in the development of policy options for consideration by Pierce County Council decision-makers. You will work individually and as a leader of a team on a variety of complex and challenging topics in the assigned policy area of land use, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental issues. Your work will include qualitative and quantitative research projects, producing information that may be presented across all levels of the organization.

Why It's a Great Organization:
The Pierce County Council is the legislative branch of Pierce County government and is the policy-determining body of the County, as provided by the County Charter. The County's Home Rule Charter, approved by voters in November 1980, separated executive and legislative duties by establishing a County Executive and a seven-member County Council. Members of the Council are elected from seven contiguous and equally populated districts. Each member of the Council is elected to a four-year term.

Learn more about the Pierce County Council here.

How to be Successful in the Role:
The successful Principal Policy Analyst will be able to understand, synthesize, and summarize complex information in a manner that can be easily conveyed to others, have strong listening and speaking skills, and be able to effectively work with elected officials, members of the public, public agencies, and other units of government on a variety of policy and fiscal issues. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential. The successful policy analyst will be familiar with the role of county government, the legislative process, and legislative bodies; and will be public service-focused and solutions-oriented.

Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

Thorough understanding of the legislative process, procedures, and parliamentary rules.
Knowledge and application of principles and best practices in policy and fiscal analysis and performance measurement.
Advanced knowledge of land use, environmental, economic development, and infrastructure issues that affect local governments.
Strong application of professional research methodologies to various codes and regulations.
Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate the impacts of legislative actions.
Excellent written communication skills to present unbiased information in a non-partisan tone.
Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, Council staff, County departments, and the public.
Strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
Experience with statistical analysis is desirable.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

Provides advanced professional expertise on highly complex, sensitive, and confidential land use, environmental, economic development, and infrastructure issues that affect Pierce County.
Analyzes, interprets, and synthesizes large amounts of complex or controversial information into non-biased and non-partisan reports and policies for decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public; presents findings at Council and/or Committee meetings. Communicates the results of the analysis in a non-biased manner that makes issues easy for decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public to understand.
Performs work under general supervision with a large degree of discretion. Plans work programs independently after objectives, priorities, and deadlines have been defined.
Evaluates the impacts of state and federal legislation, regional initiatives, and local policies to the Council and the Executive branch.
Understands policy intent and expected outcomes, analyzes issues, and develops options to meet Councilmember needs.
Serves as a liaison to the Executive Branch and County departments to promote the Council’s priorities and proposed legislation.
Works with County departments to address constituent concerns and issues, such as permitting processes and decisions.
Represents the interests of the Council with various entities within and outside Pierce County government.
Establishes performance and conduct standards, provides supervision and mentorship of subordinate staff, and evaluates staff performance.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Click here for the classification/job description.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution involving major study in public policy, law, public administration, or related field, or a discipline that correlates with land use, environmental, infrastructure, or economic development.
Ten years (Principal Policy Analyst) or five years (Senior Policy Analyst) of progressively responsible experience working in the public sector in the area of land use, environmental, economic development, or infrastructure public policy development and analysis; including research of policy, legislation, strategic planning, and implementation systems, and monitoring of results through accountability report cards and/or other data-driven methods.
Four years (Principal Policy Analyst) or two years (Senior Policy Analyst) of leadership/supervision experience with full responsibility of work program, facilitation, and oversight, and working with leading and supporting elected officials, boards, commissions, and/or committees.

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.

Supplemental 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, and a writing sample that demonstrates your knowledge of land use, environmental, economic development, or infrastructure issues.
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 great place to live, work, and raise a family?