This position requires knowledge of the Washington State Legislature, working with elected officials, and enacting new laws, ordinances, and policies to achieve LHWMP’s goals of reducing the use of toxics and managing hazardous materials. We are looking for someone with experience working with community groups and a passion for supporting all people in King County to reach their full potential. This position is part of a four person multi-agency team and works closely with the LHWMP Program Director. This position is employed by the King County Solid Waste Division.

LHWMP is deeply committed to Race and Social Justice and applying the principles of race and social justice to our work on policy development. We are working to expand our policy work to focus on developing policies with the community including but not limited to residents, businesses, ethnic chambers of commerce, housing organizations, community partners, non-profit organizations etc. Our focus on racial equity is intentionally embedded in planning, budgeting and priority setting.

Responsibilities of this position include analysis, research, planning and policy development, as well as interagency and interjurisdictional coordination to achieve appropriate changes to public policies in line with the program’s strategic goals.

This is a professional position; work is performed independently and in close coordination with policy staff assigned to LHWMP partner agencies and the Program Director. The incumbent will analyze and recommend the appropriate level of involvement in numerous local, state, and national issues important to the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. Current examples of the work that this position performs include product stewardship initiatives for paint, leftover medicines, mercury lighting and household hazardous waste.

The incumbent will be a leader, coordinator, facilitator, member of various work groups, teams and partnerships/coalitions in order to help the program and its partners achieve desired outcomes. The successful candidate will have expertise in policy analysis, drafting, and tracking legislative issues, laws, codes and ordinances, networking, and collaborating with local, state and federal agencies, coalition building and the ability to do these duties based on previous experience. The incumbent will have the desire and ability to learn about emerging policy issues and the intersection of racial equity and policy and apply those learnings to advance the program.

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. King County and the Solid Waste Division values diverse perspectives and life experience and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Forms and Materials required: Applicants must submit a (1) King County application form and (2) letter of interest detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Location: King Street Center – 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 701, Seattle, WA. 98104

Work Schedule: This full time Career Service position works a 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from FLSA provisions and is not overtime eligible.  This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.

Examples of Job Duties:

• Provide in-depth analysis of applicable policies within LHWMP and its partner agencies. Develop action plans for policies that conflict with or are counter-productive to LHWMP goals. Review and track specific laws, codes, and rules pertinent to LHWMP’s goals.
• Direct the work of a contract lobbyist. Design and implement legislative strategy.
• Act as a high level liaison to various organizations and groups including the King County Board of Health, councils, boards and legislative committees, as well as state and federal agencies. Determine the proper level of involvement or liaison appropriate for each group (e.g. observer, member, lead, etc.).
• Recommend LHWMP’s level of involvement in legislative actions at local, state, and federal levels.
• Engage in and lead legislative and rule-making processes including meeting with elected officials, industry, non-profits, and business associations, writing legislation, negotiating and providing written comments and testimony.
• Coordinate, lead or participate in programs or actions involving multiple agencies, partner organizations, and community groups.
• Manage projects involving multi-agency teams, including budget/expenditure oversight.
• Work in partnership with the community. Share decision making and develop policies collectively.
• Develop effective coalitions or networks to assist in the accomplishment of LHWMP strategic goals.
• Where required, serve as a primary liaison (single point of contact) between partnering organizations and LHWMP program staff.
• Where required, direct the work of other staff as a lead or program coordinator.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy or a closely related field (master’s degree or higher preferred) and five years of  experience in technical programs that involve public policy development, communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the skills necessary to perform the primary job duties.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Washington State legislative process and rule making.
• Experience working with community including multicultural populations to enact policy changes. Experience conducting all project planning, implementation, and evaluation in partnership with community representatives with the goal of community directed action.
• Demonstrated skill providing in-depth policy analysis and development of federal, state, and local legislation and administrative rule changes; demonstrated skill conducting bill analysis and drafting bill language.
• Demonstrated ability to lead policy initiatives and follow through with the legislative process and work with elected officials on policy change in a variety of venues.
• Demonstrated skill acting as a liaison to various organizations and groups including; health and environmental coalitions, boards and legislative committees, and city, state and federal agencies.
• Demonstrated skill managing projects involving multi-agency teams and developing effective networks to accomplish program goals.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and partnerships with a variety of partners, stakeholders and interest groups, including, but not limited to various county and/or state agencies, organizations and associations.
• Ability to successfully work with multidisciplinary teams, matrix-based organizational structures and coalitions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with program management and various project teams to achieve results within specified deadlines.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communications and making presentations.
• Demonstrated skills researching, documenting, analyzing, recommending and briefing others on administrative rule changes, legislation and national movements’ necessary to change public policies.
• Demonstrated skills in translating technical information and goals into specific action steps necessary to cause public policy changes to be adopted.
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental issues.

The Most Competitive Candidate Will Have:

• Demonstrated experience providing lobbying functions with the Washington State legislature and/or with local elected officials.

Who to Contact: If you have additional questions about this recruitment, please contact Prakash Meloot at prakash.meloot@kingcounty.gov. If you have questions about the position or wish to learn more about LHWMP, please contact Lauren Cole at 206-477-5270 or lauren.cole@kingcounty.gov or visit hazwastehelp.org.