King County

Summary

This posting is open to current King County Employees.

External applications are not being considered at this time.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking a Senior Wastewater Utility Planner (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III) to be part of the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group, focusing on planning future updates to the separated conveyance system.

This is an excellent opportunity to uphold King County’s values of responsible environmental stewardship by developing short and long-range plans to manage system capacity and prevent overflows into homes, streets, and water bodies throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties.

The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group is a high-performing, dynamic group of professionals who plan capital improvements that are then moved to construction by the Wastewater Treatment Division’s capital delivery program. This position will offer opportunities to lead planning efforts, coordinate across multiple technical disciplines, and address public health concerns, while ensuring the regional system has sufficient capacity to respond to growth.

About The Role:

This position will serve as a senior planner in the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group. This group develops short and long-range plans for managing capacity in the separated sewer system.

This position will focus on developing plans to manage capacity, either through conveyance capacity upgrades or reduction of infiltration and inflow, coordinating with staff from all 34 component agencies, other governments, environmental groups, regulators, and the public. This position will also develop conceptual projects that progress into project delivery and drive large capital investments in the Wastewater Treatment Division’s infrastructure. This position will work independently at the senior level under a program manager to develop and lead decision making processes, develop technical information, and develop necessary documentation for decision making and to comply with regulatory requirements for managing the separated conveyance system. The role requires managing diverse teams of County employees and consultants, accountability for high-quality deliverables, and maintaining strong relationships with regulatory agencies and interested parties. This position will also provide project guidance and work item support to mid-level staff within related programs.

About The Team:

The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group is part of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s Planning and Project Delivery Section, a dynamic team of over 250 professionals responsible for delivering nearly $500 million in capital projects this year – and projected to grow to over $1 billion annually by the end of the decade. Our group plays a critical role at the forefront of this work, identifying and developing future projects and guiding strategic decision-making for major investments in the region’s wastewater system. The work we do has a lasting impact on public health, water quality, and the environment in the Puget Sound region, both now and for generations to come.

Our Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning team embodies the values of adaptability, collaboration, equity, excellence, leadership, and respect, fully supporting the Wastewater Treatment Division’s mission of environmental stewardship, quality of service, and financial accountability. Team members are empowered to communicate effectively, learn and grow from one another, and develop innovative solutions that advance both environmental sustainability and equity. By prioritizing equity and social justice, consistent with King County’s values, we strengthen our teams and ensure that all residents benefit from high-quality wastewater services and improved environmental outcomes.

Working in the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group offers:

• Highly collaborative and supportive colleagues
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning
• Flexible schedules and work arrangements
• A mix of independent and team-based work
• Cross-divisional collaboration with staff across operations and other work units

Our staff are critical strategic partners in shaping the processes and deliverables that guide major investment decisions, contributing directly to the long-term resilience and sustainability of King County’s wastewater system.

More information on the programs within the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group can be found here:

• Separated Conveyance Planning Program: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/conveyance-system-improvement and https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/infiltration-inflow
• Treatment Planning Program: https://kingcountywtd.com/2022/01/24/planning-ahead-to-treat-wastewater/ and https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/treatment-planning

About the Wastewater Treatment Division:

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 1,000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial, and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Water Quality Project/Program Manager III (Senior Wastewater Utility Planner), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Lead or assist in the development of various technical and policy components of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s Separated Conveyance Planning program, including updates to the Wastewater Treatment Division's Conveyance System Improvement and Infiltration and Inflow Reduction Plans.
• Review initiatives, plans, regulations, policies, technical studies, and documents for impacts to the separated conveyance system capacity and public health.
• Coordinate, develop, execute, and/or assist with various types of planning processes, decision making roadmaps, technical, costing, and policy analyses, such as peak flow reduction options, storage options, conveyance options, benefit/costs analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, and data analyses to evaluate technical concepts, and recommend policies and decisions to inform decision making processes for various planning programs.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other units, staff, and leadership within the Wastewater Treatment Division to consider the nexus and context of other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to various planning programs.
• Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity, as described in the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, into the Separated Conveyance Planning program and projects.
• Lead and prepare written reports, memos, and other documents necessary to support various planning programs and inform decision making processes.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of planning techniques, principles, and/or practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of project management, contract management, team management, and planning techniques, principles, and practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects.
• Experience working with minimal guidance where there may be ambiguity and established procedures and policies may not exist and must be developed to craft solutions and pathways leading to recommendations.

Competencies You Bring:

• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, environmental science, or closely related field OR the equivalent combination of education or experience
• Knowledge of wastewater conveyance and treatment methods and techniques
• Knowledge of King County’s regional wastewater conveyance and treatment system
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act and/or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
• Knowledge of local government processes, public utility issues, and communications
• Experience using decision making criteria, principles and practices, including identifying issues needing management attention/input.
• Experience effectively presenting to local agencies, elected officials, community groups, and/or the general public.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is the Collaboration space at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.
  • Employees must reside in Washington State and be within reasonable proximity to King County worksites to meet in-person work requirements. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by King County Technical Employees' Association (TEA) bargaining unit.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Complete Supplemental Questions

Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Rodney O. Dungo

HR Analyst

rdungo@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and our WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

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