Nonpartisan Research Analyst

The Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) invites you to apply for the position of:

Nonpartisan Research Analyst

Opening Date:
March 11, 2026

Closing Date:
Open Until Filled, first review on March 25, 2026.

Salary: $9,000 - $13,000 monthly. The top end of this salary range is reserved for growth and advancement in this position.

Location:

Thurston County - Olympia

Job Type: Exempt

Remote Employment:
Flexible/Hybrid available after training period.

About Us/Work Environment

JLARC plays a unique role in state government: we answer the Legislature's toughest questions about state government performance. Our work offers credible analysis that informs legislative decisions, making state government operations more effective, efficient, accountable, and equitable. We are a small office that values collaboration, professionalism, growth, and humor.

Staff enjoy flexible schedules including the option to work remotely on some days. Our staff often meet in-person according to the needs of their projects and the legislators we serve. Our office is on the capitol campus, within a short walk of restaurants, downtown, and the Olympia waterfront.

Description/Overview

The Washington State Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) is seeking an experienced research analyst to complete in-depth, nonpartisan performance audits for the Legislature.

JLARC research analysts are generalists. This means they might research education in one year and transportation the next. The ideal candidate has proven experience in areas like legal research, statistical or economic analysis, interviewing, performance measurement, and organizational assessment. They are critical thinkers who can explain complex issues with plain language and clear data presentation.

Most analysts work on one or two projects at a time. They might lead one and be a team member on the other. Either way, we do our work in small teams that share ideas, value creativity, and give constructive feedback.

It's not all desk time. Analysts interact with legislators and legislative staff in committees and individual briefings. They visit sites across the state to learn more about the agencies and programs we study. Wildland firefighting camps, parks, farms, shelters, prisons, landfills, wineries, schools, hatcheries… we've been there.

Candidates must meet JLARC's standards for nonpartisanship, objectivity, and confidentiality. Our work informs the Legislature's policy making and oversight responsibilities. We do not take or advocate for any policy positions.

This is a hybrid position that may be approved for partial in-state telework. You must be a Washington State resident upon your date of hire and able to work in-person at our Olympia office on a regular basis.

Intrigued? Read our reports to see if this kind of work is right for you:

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Duties/Responsibilities

This is a nonpartisan position that works in a partisan environment.

* Serve as project lead or team member on assigned studies.

* Identify information sources, research methods, and the data needed to conduct planned analyses.

* Complete in-depth research and analysis necessary to address the study's scope and objectives.

* Organize and conduct site visits, surveys, interviews, and related tasks as needed to complete project deliverables.

* Proactively and effectively communicate with coworkers and managers about work assignments, expectations, and timelines.

* Give and receive timely and constructive feedback on research tasks and project deliverables.

* Establish and manage effective and professional agency relationships.

* Oversee work of contractors who provide technical expertise for specific study tasks.

* Synthesize results and findings, develop recommendations, and complete clear and accurate reports as part of a team.

* Accurately and succinctly present report findings to legislators.

Required Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree plus five years of relevant experience OR a master's degree plus three years of relevant experience.

* Ability to serve as a nonpartisan analyst for a bipartisan legislative committee.

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