Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs

Salary: $129,998.88 - $140,000.40 Annually

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Department: Legislative Department

Job Number: 2022-00936

Closing: 5/31/2022 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

The Legislative Department has an exciting opportunity for a creative, values-driven, high performing Legislative Analyst (Strategic Advisor-LEG BU) to join the Central Staff team. Our team cultivates an inclusive, anti-racist workplace. We are active participants in the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and seek team members who bring an anti-racist lens to their work, and who are interested in developing these analytical skills in a team environment.

The Central Staff team serves as a division within the City’s legislative branch that brings counterbalance to the executive branch of government and the Mayor’s Office. We effectively engage with the other branches of government on behalf of the city council or its members. Our team provides independent, objective policy and fiscal analysis for all nine (9) councilmembers. Our work environment is complex and political as we play a critical role in laying the groundwork for the Seattle City Council to make informed decisions that shape our city.

The Central Staff team has an exciting opportunity for a mid-career Fiscal Policy Analyst (StratAdv-LEG) who will report to the Central Staff Deputy Director with a focus on fiscal policy and the Council's annual adoption and oversight of the city budget.

YOU WILL BE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THIS POSITION IF YOU:

• Are a fiscal policy nerd who is excited about using their subject matter expertise to create reports and make presentations aimed at evaluating fiscal/budget policies, processes, and systems.
• Have experience using rigorous analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative) to improve/streamline complex processes (for example evaluating, developing, and coordinating budget process improvements and taxation policies/legislation).
• Apply a positive approach to building professional working relationships despite conflicting viewpoints and can effectively communicate purpose, process, and outcome to a broad audience.
• Thrive in a political environment with elected officials who may have political views/orientations different from your own.
• Enjoy working as part of a team that has a high standard in the quality of their work product and desire to continually improve.
• Are committed to race and social justice and are motivated to work towards ending institutional and systemic racism.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in coordinating Central Staff’s review of proposed budgets and related materials and in the City Council’s budget deliberation process.
• Support management of the Central Staff’s use of the City’s budgeting system, including development and facilitation of training curricula and materials as needed.
• Conduct detailed quantitative analysis to support other Central Staff analyst’s budget work and to inform Council’s decision making.
• Lead meetings and training sessions on budget analysis, policies, and processes.
• Work on developing tax policies and staff non-budget projects and legislation as needed and/or assigned.
• Draft legislation and amendments, and author written reports of various styles, including issue papers, decision agendas and executive summaries.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to Council and others summarizing key elements of reports, analysis, and recommendations.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

You will be effective in this role if you have the experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge listed below through a combination of work, education, and life experience as demonstrated in your resume, cover letter, and answers to supplemental questions:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, economics, finance, business, or applicable field; graduate degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in fiscal policy analysis, quantitative analysis, public finance, or budgeting in the public sector.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external audiences.
• Ability to use discretion and care in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working for elected officials and working with multiple City departments and other jurisdictions or agencies.
• Understanding of and experience working on a broad range of public policy and fiscal issues (for example analyzing and developing municipal budgets).

UNION INFORMATION

This position is covered by the PTE, Local 17 – Strategic Advisor LEG bargaining agreemen

COVID VACCINE MANDATE

All City of Seattle employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Failure to submit proof of vaccination or qualify for a reasonable accommodation will result in withdrawal of the job offer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position will primarily be onsite at the Seattle City Hall: 600 Fourth Ave. 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA. Alternative Work Arrangements, including telework, may be considered, and will be based on operational needs.

WHY WORK AT THE CITY

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

HOW TO APPLY

• Complete an online application and supplemental questionnaire
• Attach a PDF of your Cover Letter
• Attach a PDF of your Resume