Council Policy Analyst

Position Summary
The Council Policy Analyst is critical to support the legislative process, policy work, committee meetings, council meetings, and work sessions of the Portland City Council. The Council Policy Analyst reports to the Council Operations Manager and plays an important role performing policy research and analysis, drafting, presenting briefings to City Councilors and providing strategic and administrative support to Council committees. Under the supervision of the Council Operations Manager and in coordination with the City Administrator, works with staff across the city to inform and prepare for City Council committee meetings and work sessions. The position works closely with staff in Council Offices as required to help achieve the Council’s policy objectives.

 
 The Council Policy Analyst has the responsibility to:

• Collaborate with Councilors and their staff, and, where appropriate, coordinate with executive staff or other subject matter experts to structure and approach policy research and analysis, identify policy options, and advise on timing and method to elevate issues of concern to the Council, Council President or committee that originated the work. 
• Research approaches of compliance with local, state, and federal law, with consideration to related issues, project management, and scope of work plan decisions. 
• Use political acumen to remain impartial and non-partisan in their approach and recommendations. 

The Council Policy Analyst can make recommendations to the Council Operations Manager on Council policy and procedures. For example, they could recommend a change to committee procedures that may solve an issue or provide a benefit. When requested by a Council member, the analyst can make policy recommendations on a wide range of issues varying in complexity in support of City Council’s role as Portland’s legislative decision-making body. For example, they could recommend peer cities to refer to for best practices related to a policy interest of a councilor. The Council Policy Analyst can make recommendations on panelists for committee testimony, order of presentations and testimony on a given topic, as well as recommendations on legislation and community engagement and communications approaches.

• Provide impartial, advanced policy research, analysis, and evaluation in support of council responsibilities and legislative priorities. 

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of policy options and issues that may be considered controversial and/or complicated. 
• Identify and evaluate both internal and external policy and the impacts, consequences, and risks associated with legislative proposals and Council-directed initiatives. 
• In alignment with the council’s work plan, assist committees and City Councilors with consideration of legislative issues that are in alignment with the Council’s strategic priorities by providing impartial information and analysis and providing subject-area knowledge. 

Legislative Drafting and Process Expertise

• At the direction of the Council, a council committee or Councilor(s), draft proposed legislation or legislative amendments in consultation with Council Offices.
• Assist Councilors or Council staff in drafting legislation or legislative amendments.
• Support the legislative process by liaising with the Council President, Vice President, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and their staff as well as partnering with the City Attorney’s Office and Council Clerk. 
• Act as technical expert in the City’s legislative process and advise on responses to questions from Council and other staff as appropriate.
• Provide training and skill building, as appropriate, to Council Offices and guidance to City administration on the legislative process. 

 
Comply with all local, state and federal laws and administrative rules 

• Preserve the integrity of democratic governance processes in full compliance with all applicable laws, policies, rules, and regulations. 
• Make recommendations for changes in procedures and processes to enhance the functioning of the legislative branch of the City and ensure that City Council powers and duties are preserved of strengthened according to Charter. 

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position: 

1. Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of change management and the social, political, intergovernmental, and operational issues influencing City and Council operations. 
2. Ability to preserve the integrity of democratic governance processes in full compliance with all applicable laws, policies, rules, and regulations. 
3. Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret complex data in statistical and narrative forms using quantitative and qualitative analysis, tools, and modeling to provide impartial, advanced research, analysis, and evaluation of policy solutions to controversial and/or complex issues. 
4. Ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and evaluate relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures to provide fact-based, politically neutral conclusions and recommendations. 
5. Ability to communicate complex analytical topics verbally, in writing and prepare documents such as comprehensive reports, correspondence, summary emails, memos, and documents involving legislative, administrative, organizational, technical, budgetary, and financial data to non-technical audiences. 
6. Ability to cultivate, foster, and maintain positive working relationships with City Council, Council staff, relevant subject matter experts in the administration, external experts and others in coordinating the work of Council committees as well as policy and research development in support of Council’s legislative agenda. 
7. Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem-solve, and take initiative within established procedures and guidelines.

• College degree or some college or equivalent
• Legislative experience
• Experience working with elected officials.

STEP 1: Apply online between 12/01/2025 to 12/08/2025
 
Required Application Materials: 

• Resume
• Answers to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc) by the closing date of the recruitment.

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé  should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules. 
• Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis:  Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application.   It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.  
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. 
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.  

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.  

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations