Policy and Government Relations Director (Government Relations Officer)

Job Description

Job Ttitle: Policy and Government Relations Director (Government Relations Officer)

Company: King County


Description: SummaryAbout King County’s Department of Local Services
King County’s Department of Local Services (DLS) serves as the primary point of contact for unincorporated King County residents, ensuring equitable access to resources, services, and representation. DLS works to enhance quality of life, prioritize sustainable development, and foster collaborative partnerships between residents and King County government.Position Overview
The Policy and Government Relations Director (Government Relations Officer) will be a key strategic leader within DLS, serving as the principal advisor to the Department Director on legislative matters, driving the department’s legislative agenda, cultivating partnerships, and advocating for policies that enhance the welfare of unincorporated communities. This role involves serving as the principal liaison between the department, elected officials, community organizations, and other government entities.Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to “ ” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.Job DutiesApplying is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Lead and serve as the central point of contact for legislative and policy support with the King County Council, including overseeing the development of legislative materials such as reports, motions, ordinances, and other Council requests related to DLS issues.
• Coordinate internal responses to routine policy inquiries and provide briefings to policymakers, ensuring timely and consistent communication with the Council on DLS matters.
• Lead internal planning meetings with staff from DLS, DCHS, Public Health Seattle-King County, and other relevant county departments to prioritize and align departmental initiatives.
• Conduct preliminary policy research, track statewide and national issue activities, and analyze relevant high-priority federal legislation.
• Develop and advocate for DLS’s legislative agenda, policies, and positions in collaboration with the King County Executive’s office.
• Assist in the development and review of DLS-related legislation, ensuring alignment with the department’s mission and goals.
• Negotiate amendments to legislation and advocate for the Executive’s position with Council members and staff to advance DLS priorities.
• Represent King County’s DLS legislative strategy in meetings with elected officials and staff from cities and other counties, advocating for King County’s legislative interests.
• Attend Council and Committee meetings as appropriate, and coordinate with the Executive’s Council Relations Director and Division Council Relations staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned, ensuring DLS’s legislative goals are met and communicated effectively.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsA Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or a related field or equivalent combination of experience and education and a minimum of four years’ experience performing senior-level policy analysis, political strategy development and intergovernmental relations for the public sector are required. Additional required qualifications include:

• Demonstrated experience with state, federal, and local legislative processes, including committee oversight and legislation management.
• Extensive experience consulting on, developing, and implementing political strategies for governmental agencies.
• Proven track record in developing and analyzing public policy within a governmental or public sector context.
• Successful experience working with government agencies, community organizations, and private sector businesses to develop and execute projects and strategies.
• Direct experience with government-sponsored committees and task forces, including the development of political strategies and project management.
• Strong ability to serve as a liaison for elected officials, maintaining productive relationships and facilitating communication.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking, with a demonstrated ability to convey complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Strong strategic focus, analytical skills, and creative problem-solving abilities to navigate complex challenges.
• Proven negotiation, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills, with the ability to make independent, sound judgments.
• Demonstrated political sensitivity, media relations skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Desired Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Public Administration or a related field is highly desirable.
• Previous experience as a liaison and/or policy advisor for elected officials.
• Experience building sound working relationships with elected officials and community leaders throughout Seattle and King County.

Supplemental InformationInterview Schedule: If you are selected for an interview, you will be invited for a 45-minute panel interview the week of January 6, 2025.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited for a 45-minute panel interview the week of January 13, 2025.Who May Apply: This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.Application Process: A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.Emergency Designation Status: Mission-Critical – Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit and the .
Union Membership: This position is non-represented.Forbes named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles – we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo 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.To ApplyIf you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Erika Yanak
Senior HR Analyst
(206) 477-0320King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees’ health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our .This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Salary: $133681.6 – 169436.8 per year

Location: Seattle, WA

Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2024 06:47:03 GMT


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