Legislative Assistant - Councilmember Foster

Legislative Assistant - Councilmember Foster

Salary

$22.48 - $76.53 Hourly

Location

City Hall, 600 4th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Job Number

2026-00993

Department

Legislative Department

Opening Date

07/28/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The Office of Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 8) is seeking a motivated and dedicated professional to join our team as a Legislative Assistant. In this key role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of the Councilmembers office by managing constituent services, serving as a primary public-facing representative of the office, and supporting the Councilmember's legislative and community-focused priorities.

This role operates in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where you will be expected to have the ability to quickly assess, triage, and prioritize competing demands. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate exceptional time management, organizational discipline, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to process large volumes of information, identify what matters most, and drive timely outcomes. This position requires superior communication and interpersonal skills, political savvy, sound judgment, and discretion. You will be successful in this role if you are proactive, detail-oriented, adaptable, and accountable, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, responsive service to constituents and community partners.

This position is part of a hard-working, supportive team comprised of three staff members with this position reporting directly to the Councilmember. This at-will appointment serves at the discretion of the Councilmember.

The initial review of applications will take place for those received by Friday, August 7, at 4:00 pm Pacific Time. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and the position will remain open until filled.

Job Responsibilities

Administrative Support and Constituent Relations:

• Assume responsibility for administrative and scheduling support to the Councilmember, including maintaining and managing the Councilmember's calendar scheduling, organizing, and coordinating meetings and appointments between the Councilmember and other stakeholders.
• Respond to inquiries from residents, including answering phone calls and responding to emails and letters, and attending hybrid and in-person meetings and events.
• Assess, prioritize, and manage a high volume of constituent inquiries and issues, balancing urgency, impact, and resource constraints.
• Implement and maintain a robust system to track inquiries from intake through resolution, ensuring accountability, prompt follow-through, and responsiveness.
• Coordinate with community groups, individuals, and government agencies to address and resolve local issues efficiently and effectively.
• Exercise strong judgment in escalating, delegating, or resolving issues based on competing priorities and stakeholder needs.

Community Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, businesses, and key stakeholders.
• Serve as a frontline representative of the office through meetings, events, and public engagements.
• Organize and attend community meetings and forums on behalf of the Councilmember.
• Staff the Councilmember at external events, coordinating logistics and preparing briefing materials and talking points.
• Manage and prioritize competing stakeholder interests with professionalism, clarity, and fairness.

Communication, Collaboration, and Execution:

• Foster clear and effective communication within the office and with other Council offices and City departments.
• Provide regular, concise updates to the Councilmember and staff on constituent issues, community concerns, and emerging priorities.
• Monitor policy and legislative developments and provide relevant analysis tied to constituent and district impacts.
• Draft and support development of communications materials, including newsletters, presentations, and digital content.
• Develop social media content creation aligned with office priorities.
• Manage constituent correspondence and assist with public records responses.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, actionable briefings to support decision-making.
• Assume primary responsibility for managing constituent correspondence and preparing responses to public records requests.
• Analyze and synthesize complex information to brief the Councilmember on key issues to support informed decision-making.
• Assist with duties assigned to other members of the Councilmember's team when they are not available; perform other duties as assigned by the Councilmember or Chief of Staff.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the general scope of the Legislative Assistant position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties, or responsibilities associated with the role.

Qualifications

You will be effective in this role if you have the following experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge (or a combination of education, experience, and/or training which provides an equivalent background):

• Bachelor's degree in communications, political science, business, public administration, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in effective constituent services, administrative assistance, community outreach, public relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high volumes of information and competing priorities with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and remain calm under pressure.
• High attention to detail and ability to execute multiple complex tasks accurately under time constraints.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a consistent commitment to accountability and follow-through.
• Experience working with diverse communities and demonstrated cultural competency.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook and similar scheduling tools.

The Legislative Department recognizes that not every candidate will have the following desired qualifications. However, you may be more prepared for this role with the following:

• An advanced degree in law, public administration, public policy, or related field, or additional experience that demonstrates expertise in and ability to dive into work related to constituent services and community outreach.
• Nuanced understanding of Seattles political landscape and community dynamics.

Additional Information

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is classified as Legislative Assistant and is exempt from the Seattle Civil Service System. The full salary range for this classification is $46,938 - $159,794 ($22.48 - $76.53 per hour). The salary range for this full-time position has been identified as $106,488 - $114,840 ($51 - $55 per hour).

Additionally, the City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. The Legislative Department works collectively to realize the City's vision of racial equity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position will be typically be on-site five days per week at Seattle City Hall located at 600 Fourth Ave. 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA.

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 a NEOGOV online application and supplemental questionnaire. The initial review of applications will take place for those received by Friday, August 7, at 4:00 pm Pacific Time. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and the position will remain open until filled.
• Attach a PDF of your cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• Attach a PDF of your resume.

Applications received without the requested materials will not be considered.

If you have any questions, please email the hiring team at LEG_Careers@seattle.gov

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Answers to the following questions will help us determine whether candidates meet the minimum requirements of the position. Indicating "see resume" or "see application" are not sufficient responses to the supplemental questions. A complete and accurate application is required for this position. Did you update your City of Seattle application to reflect any recent changes to your experience and/or education? A cover letter and resume are required documents. Missing attachments will flag your submission as incomplete. Did you attach the required documents?

• Yes
• No

02

How would you describe your experience managing high volumes of constituent, customer, or public inquiries?

• Extensive experience (e.g., primarily responsible for triaging and responding to a large volume of requests, managing a case tracking system, serving as first point of contact for a public office or service desk, etc.)
• Moderate experience (e.g., regularly responded to multiple inquiries or cases, assisted with intake and follow up, supported a high volume service function, etc.)
• Limited experience (e.g., occasionally managed periods of increased inquiries, supported others during peak times, handled small caseloads, etc.)
• No direct experience (no prior role required frequent or structured inquiry management, etc.)

03

How would you describe your proficiency with managing complex and competing scheduling demands?

• Advanced (e.g., manage complex calendars with shifting priorities, schedule across multiple stakeholders, coordinate recurring meetings, resolve conflicts, etc.)
• Intermediate (e.g., regularly manage a single calendar, schedule meetings, handle some conflicts, coordinate logistics with internal teams, etc.)
• Basic (e.g., use Outlook for email, simple scheduling, accepting/declining invites, personal calendar management, etc.)
• No experience (no prior use of Outlook or comparable calendar tools)

04

Please describe your experience developing communications on diverse platforms including utilizing social media, newsletters, and other methods.

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs