Senior Wastewater Climate Adaptation Planner at King County in Seattle, WA

Summary

This position is open to all qualified candidates.

This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the following 6 months after initial selection.

About the Role:
You will serve as a senior wastewater climate adaptation planner in the climate adaptation planning program. This program is working to develop and implement King County Wastewater Treatment Division's climate adaptation plan. This team works with other sections of the agency, component sewer agencies, King County Council committees and staff, other governments, environmental groups, regulators, and the public. You will be responsible for defining future capital investments in the regional sewer system necessary to adapt to climate change in a way that maintains operations and regulatory compliance.

The climate change issues to be addressed by this planning process include, but are not limited to, sea level rise, increasing rain intensity during storm events, increasing extreme heat, increasing wildfire smoke, and increasing river flooding. In this position, you will work as part of a team at the senior level under a program manager. You will focus on climate impacts studies, long-range wastewater planning, decision making processes and other climate preparedness and adaptation related work. You will also provide project guidance and work item support to junior staff within related programs

About the Team:
The Combined System and Utility Planning Group is one of two groups that develop, update, and track implementation of long-term plans for King County's Wastewater Treatment Division. The Combined System and Utility Planning group focuses on planning for:

The comprehensive sewer system,
Combined sewer overflow control,
Climate adaptation, and
Asset management.

The Combined System and Utility Planning group helps ensure that WTD is successful in providing sewer services into the future, including in those areas that have been historically underinvested in.

WTD 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 an King County Employee, 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 during the development of WTD's Climate Adaptation Plan.
Lead technical studies of various aspects of the regional system to assess vulnerabilities and risks from climate impacts.
Coordinate, develop, execute, and/or assist with various types of planning processes, decision making process, technical, costing, and policy analyses, such as benefit/costs analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, and data statistical analyses to evaluate technical concepts, recommend policies and decisions regarding climate adaptation to inform decision making processes.
Coordinate with other units within WTD to consider the nexus and context of other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to climate adaptation.
Coordinate communication about climate adaptation with communications specialists and consultants, and engage with multiple interested parties, regulators, component sewer agency staff, tribes, and others.
Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity, as described in the County's Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, into WTD's Climate Adaptation Plan.
Lead and prepare written reports, memos, and other documents necessary to support the Climate Adaptation Planning Program and inform decision making processes.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:
Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, environmental science, or closely related field OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of climate science, climate change impacts in Washington, or climate adaptation.
Experience leading climate related environmental reviews, technical studies, and/or applying climate science to planning or delivery of projects.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences, such as the general public, nongovernmental organizations, other sewer utilities, agency leadership, and elected representatives.
Experience and knowledge of project management, contract management, team management, and planning techniques, principles, and practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects.
Competencies you bring:
Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions. Stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules. Anticipates and adjusts effective contingency plans.
Interpersonal Savvy - Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, culture, and geography. Acts with diplomacy and tact. Builds rapport in an open, friendly, and accepting way. Builds constructive relationships with people both similar and different to self. Picks up on interpersonal and group dynamics.
Collaborates - Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.
Strategic Mindset - Anticipates future trends and implications accurately. Readily poses future scenarios. Articulates credible pictures and visions of possibilities that will create sustainable value. Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action.
Action Oriented - Readily takes action on challenges, without unnecessary planning. Identifies and seizes new opportunities. Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times. Steps up to handle tough issues.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
Knowledge of wastewater conveyance and treatment methods and techniques.
Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role will primarily be working at a remote home location. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week with flexible schedules. This position is not covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Technical Employees' Association.
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 King County Application
Resume
Cover Letter
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Helen David at hdavid@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand 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.