Chief Policy Officer

Salary : $181,308.40 - $243,843.60 Annually Location : Seattle, WA Job Type: Appt/Exempt Job Number: 2026DS26584 Department: KCC - King County Council Division: Council Administration Opening Date: 02/20/2026 Closing Date: 3/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: Z2 : Council Guidelines Full- or Part-Time: Full Time Hours/Week: 35 hours/week Summary 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 residents-including 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 Council's legislative program. In 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 Council's 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 Council's Chief of Staff but is responsive to all nine councilmembers. Job Duties Key Responsibilities Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the King County Council's 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 Council's 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 team's participation in the Council's 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 Council's Chief of Staff, represent the Council in discussions with labor partners, including participating in collective bargaining negotiations; ensure adherence to collective bargaining agreements. Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Qualifications and Expectations This position requires a master's degree in public administration, political science, business, economics, or equivalent experience or expertise, 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 management, teambuilding, negotiation and conflict resolution, change management, and 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. Supplemental Information Recruitment Process and Timeline Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter through King County's 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) Milestone DatesApplication PeriodFeb 20 - Mar 15, 2026Application ReviewMar 16 - Mar 27, 2026Panel Interview 1Week of Mar 30, 2026Panel Interview 2Week of Apr 6, 2026Panel Interview 3Week of Apr 20, 2026 Compensation and Benefits The salary range for the Chief Policy Officer position is $181,306 to $243,836,depending 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 Manager at 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 Veteran's administration letter stating your disability. Veteran's preference documentation must be submitted by the closing time of this announcement. Job Classification: 007054 Chief Policy Officer - Council King 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. 01 The person hired for this position must successfully pass a comprehensive background check. Are you willing to undergo a thorough background check prior to an offer of employment? This may include reference checks with previous employers and a criminal background check. Yes No 02 How many years' experience have you had in performing and leading any combination of senior-level analytical, communications, budgeting, and/or policy work? No experience Less than 2 years 2 to 5 years 5 to 10 years 10 years or more 03 Please indicate the types of organization(s) where you gained your experience. Check all that apply. Legislative Branch Large City Council State Legislature Federal Office - Senior Legislative Role Regional & Special Purpose District Executive Branch Policy Offices Public Sector Consulting or Advocacy Other 04 What does your management/supervisory experience include? Check all that apply. Assigning work to subordinate non-supervisory staff. Assigning work to subordinate line supervisors. Performing as a lead worker, who, in addition to performing tasks directly, also assigned tasks to other employees. Creating policies and procedures. Implementing policies and procedures. Setting standards for performance. Providing performance appraisals for subordinate employees. Making recommendations for hiring of staff. Recommending discipline or termination for employees. Training employees on policies and procedures. Mentoring staff. Representing my work unit at regular meetings with senior managers. Managing consultants. Managing temporary staff. Managing represented staff. Managing non-represented staff. Managing employees from diverse backgrounds. Managing employees in highly stressful situations. No experience 05 Which best describes your highest level of education? No GED or high school degree General Education Degree High school Some college Associate's or technical degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree PhD JD Other advanced degree Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04