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.
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.
Writing and Presentation Support
Provide writing, research, and presentation support to the Assistant City Manager, Mayor, and City Council for policy briefings, public affairs, community engagement, and organizational communications. Assist in drafting speeches, talking points, reports, correspondence, presentations, and background materials to support meetings, events, and decision-making processes. Help translate complex policy, legislative, and operational information into clear, accessible messaging for both internal and public audiences. Support the development of communication materials that reflect City priorities, maintain consistency in messaging, and enhance public understanding of key initiatives.
This position may lead or oversee the work of others.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership or elected officials preferred.
Any combination of qualifying education, training, and/or experience equivalent to seven (7) to ten (10) years will be considered.
