Policy and Government Affairs Analyst

The City of Gresham is seeking a highly skilled and trusted Policy & Government Affairs Analyst to support senior leadership, City Council, and the Mayor in advancing high-priority initiatives that shape the future of our community. This position plays a critical role in coordinating complex projects, supporting legislative and intergovernmental efforts, conducting in-depth research, and ensuring alignment with citywide strategic priorities. This is a high-impact role requiring discretion, sound judgment, analytical strength, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, politically dynamic environment.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

What you will get to do:

Project & Initiative Management

Assist in coordinating and supporting special projects or policy initiatives assigned to the Office of Governance & Management by the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Council, or other senior leadership. Lead and/or coordinate the planning and implementation of projects and initiatives; analyze large, complex, and often interdisciplinary City-wide issues, including those that may be sensitive or controversial. Develop project plans; help define project scope, goals, milestones, and deliverables; plan and manage timelines; organize expectations and desired outcomes; track progress; and communicate updates through reports, briefings, and presentations to leadership as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement & Intergovernmental Support

Engage with key stakeholders, community leaders, neighborhood associations, advisory bodies (including CCACs), and external partners as directed by the Assistant City Manager to gather insights, identify emerging issues, and support informed decision-making. Build and maintain productive relationships with local, regional, and state partners to advance shared priorities and initiatives. Provide ongoing monitoring, reporting, and analysis of activities, policy developments, and legislative actions across local and regional governments. Support intergovernmental coordination efforts and collaborative initiatives that impact the City and its residents. Assist in strengthening neighborhood engagement efforts and community advisory structures to ensure policy discussions reflect diverse community perspectives and lived experience.

Project Coordination & Assistance

Provide coordination and administrative support for special projects and policy initiatives assigned to the Office of Governance & Management. Assist in developing project timelines, tracking progress, and helping ensure milestones and deliverables are met in a timely and organized manner. Work closely with the Assistant City Manager to help ensure projects align with the broader vision, priorities, and strategic direction of the Government Affairs Office, providing support as needed to facilitate successful outcomes. May also assist with the coordination and tracking of state and federal grant opportunities, including Congressionally Directed Spending requests, supporting the preparation, organization, and execution of materials related to the City’s federal appropriations process.

Research & Advisory Support

Conduct legislative, federal, state, regional, and City-wide research to support the Assistant City Manager in providing informed policy guidance and strategic advice to City departments, Council members, senior leadership, and key constituency groups. Analyzes complex policy issues; synthesizes relevant data, legislation, and best practices; and summarizes key findings in clear and actionable formats.Prepares briefings, background materials, and issue summaries to support informed decision-making. Assists in drafting policy recommendations, reports, presentations, and other communications, ensuring alignment with the priorities and direction established by the Assistant City Manager, City leadership, and City Council.

Legislative Advocacy, Policy Monitoring & Government Affairs Support

Support the planning, coordination, and administration of legislative, government affairs, and intergovernmental initiatives at the federal, state, regional, and local levels. Monitor and analyze relevant policy proposals, legislation, and regulatory developments; compiles regular updates, summaries, and impact assessments to ensure the Government Affairs Office remains informed and strategically prepared to respond. Provide research and analytical support to assess potential impacts of policy changes on City operations, funding, and community priorities, offering recommendations aligned with the City’s broader strategic goals. Assist in drafting talking points, legislative briefs, position statements, correspondence, and other advocacy materials to advance the City of Gresham’s policy agenda.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging.
• Advanced analytical and research skills with strong attention to detail.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with elected officials, community leaders, and diverse stakeholders.
• Sound political awareness and the ability to navigate sensitive or controversial issues thoughtfully.

• Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Current social, political, and economic trends affective City government and service provision
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques as they relate to assigned areas
• Public relations and customer service principles, practices, and methods
• Data gathering, analysis, and research 
• Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively
• Physically perform the essential job functions

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, public policy, or a related field.
• Three (3) to six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis, government affairs, public administration, or a related area.

• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership or elected officials preferred.

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
• Answers to supplemental questions

 The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.

A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov.

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.