The Solid Waste Division (SWD) is looking for a dynamic person with strategic agility and political savvy to work as the Government Relations Administrator. This is a special duty assignment open for qualified King County employees only. This assignment is currently for a period of six (6) months.

The Government Relations Administrator position serves as the liaison between the division and the 37 cities that are part of the county’s solid waste system, as well as managing the division’s legislative process. This entails advocating for SWD interests in projects and initiatives by developing and implementing our legislative agenda with the King County Council, including strategy development and extensive intergovernmental relations. This person will maintain constant vigilance on how the division’s plans and activities may intersect with other regional and stakeholder interests. Responsibilities will also include managing the division’s advisory committees – Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee (MSWAC) and Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), research issues raised by cities to aid in the division’s understanding of cities’ perspectives; and coach Solid Waste Division staff in developing strategies for communicating with cities.  As a member of the senior leadership team, this person will contribute to strategy development, long-range planning, and oversight on the execution of division priorities and helping to ensure the county’s solid waste system meets the needs of the partner cities.

The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a permanent basis.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. The Government Relations Administrator reports directly to the Solid Waste Division Director and serves as a member of the senior management team of the Division.

Who May Apply:  This position is open to all qualified King County employees.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit a (1) King County application form and (2) letter of interest detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meet the qualifications and have prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Location: Primarily teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104

Examples of Job Duties:
This Special Duty Government Relations Administrator will initially work with the incumbent Government Relations Administrator. The incumbent Government Relations Administrator will provide extensive institutional and stakeholder knowledge, as well as work product strategy planning and implementation for SWD 2021 initiatives, and training in the performance of the following assigned duties:

• Serve as the division lead and staff the Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee (MSWAC) and King County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) to support inclusion, engagement, and transparency goals.
• Facilitate politically sensitive discussions about solid waste programs.
• Provide direct oversight to division legislative activities including package development, quality assurance, and briefing support.
• Provide awareness of divisional plans and activities that may represent an area of special concern, interest, or sensitivity for our internal and external stakeholders, regional partners, and advise on strategies, timing, and approach.
• Develop and oversee stakeholder relationship strategies to help maximize the effectiveness of the implemented business plan.
• Serve on the division’s senior leadership team (SWDMT) contributing strategic thought and oversight to ensure the realization of long-term goals by aligning actions to desired outcomes.
• Facilitate briefings with the council and executive office staff on key policy and operational issues.
• Inform division presentations to council and council committees and facilitate responses to information requests from the county and local elected officials.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or related field and experience in working and managing relationships with various government and political entities and knowledge of the solid waste industry including knowledge of solid waste disposal, collection, transfer station operation, or recycling programs or any combination of experience/education/training that clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the scope of job duties of the position
• Experience working with and knowledge of state, federal, and local legislative process, committees, and oversight of legislation management
• Extensive experience consulting on, developing, and implementing political strategies
• Ability to be politically savvy, including sensitivity to how people and organizations work
• Knowledge of general government principles and procedures
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Policy development and interpretation skills
• Demonstrated facilitation and negotiation skills
• Skills in managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills including written and oral communication and listening skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience in strategic planning techniques, principles, and practices preferably in a local government setting
• Demonstrated experience in synthesizing information and making recommendations within and outside of established policies and procedures
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Ability to effectively deal with ambiguity, learn on the fly and make quality decisions

Highly Competent Candidates Will Also Have:   

• Demonstrated success working with municipal and state government entities, community organizations, and private sector businesses to develop and implement projects and strategies
• Extensive experience in developing and analyzing public policy for a governmental agency

Contact Information: For questions regarding this announcement, contact Senior Human Resources Analyst Prakash Meloot at prakash.meloot@kingcounty.gov.