Treatment Planning Program Manager

Shape the Future of Water Quality in King County

King Countys Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking a passionate and strategic Program Manager to lead the Treatment Planning Program the team responsible for charting the course for future upgrades to our regions wastewater treatment plants. This is a unique opportunity to be on the forefront of planning the policies and capital projects that will protect public health improve water quality and ensure responsible environmental stewardship for generations to come.

As a senior leader within the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group youll guide strategic planning efforts coordinate across technical disciplines and play a pivotal role in developing both short- and long-range plans to prepare the treatment system for population growth and to meet evolving environmental regulations. Youll collaborate with a dynamic high-performing team and influence decisions that will shape regional water quality for decades.

This is an opportunity to:

• Contribute to clean water and community well-being through public service.
• Lead strategic planning that drives major infrastructure investments.
• Address complex meaningful issues impacting Puget Sound the environment and public health.
• Work alongside a diverse collaborative and passionate team.

If youre ready to help shape the roadmap for water quality in King County and are driven by big-picture thinking strategic planning and the chance to make a lasting impact on public health equity and the environment this role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful work at the intersection of infrastructure and sustainability.

For more information on the Treatment Planning Program check out:

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• The Role:

  As Program Managerfor theTreatment Planning Program you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our regional wastewater system. This position guides a team of talented professionals who are tackling some of the most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges of our time ensuring our five treatment plants meet growing capacity needs and evolving regulatory requirementswhile considering climate impacts and adaptation equity and social justice resource recovery (recycled water biosolids biogas)needs and opportunities management of aging infrastructure cost and affordability and component agency priorities.

  
  

  In this role you will:

  • Drive major planning efforts such as the Long-term Treatment Plan to provide a roadmap to guide treatment capital investments for decades to come.
  • Address critical regulatory challenges including nutrient reduction NPDES permit compliance and contaminants of emerging concern (such as PFAS) ensuring public health and environmental protection.
  • Lead treatment process studies to improve and optimize treatment operations.
  • Support and incorporate resource recovery exploring opportunities for recycled water biosolids reuse and energy production and reduction.
  • Develop conceptual capital projects that progress into project delivery and drive large capital investments in wastewater infrastructure.
  • Lead strategic planning processes and recommend policy guiding decision-making at the intersection of infrastructure environmental stewardship and equity.
  • Build strong partnerships with County teams operations staff consultants and component agencies.

  
  

  You will provide technical guidance manage diverse teams support junior and mid-level staff and influence decisions that impact public health environmental protection and regional growth. With large-scale capital projects evolving regulations and complex competing needs on the horizon this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the regions infrastructure and water quality.
  
  

  This position follows a hybrid work model blending remote and in-person work.

  
  About The Team:

  The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group is part of the Wastewater Treatment Divisions 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 regions 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 Divisions 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 Countys 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 Countys wastewater system.
  
  
  About the Wastewater Treatment Division:
  

  Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 1000 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 andoperatea well-managed agencythat 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. Ifyourepassionate 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 IV (Treatment Planning Program Manager) you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at now for a rewarding career at theWastewater Treatment Divisionof 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 trainingcomprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.

  
  
  

What You Will Be Doing:

• Lead planning and analysis: Oversee coordinate and execute plans studies technical analyses cost estimates and policy evaluations to assess technical concepts and recommend long-term treatment planning and policy decisions.
• Foster collaboration: Work closely and coordinate across divisions sections and agencies to integrate system needs opportunities and priorities with capacity and regulatory planning. Build strong relationships with county staff leadership local sewer agencies regulators and other interested parties.
• Guide long-term planning initiatives: Lead a team in developing long-term plans and obtaining necessary approvals for implementation. Establish processes for engagement with senior leadership elected officials regulators tribal interests and/or the public.
• Prepare planning documentation: Lead or guide the creation of planning documents technical reports memos presentations and other materials that outline methods and strategies for long-term investment in treatment plants.
• Manage program work: Develop and track program work plans scopes budgets and schedules. Provide guidance direction and support to program staff and consultants to ensure successful project delivery.

• Guide and lead a team: Foster a collaborative inclusive and respectful team culture while providing mentorship guidance and clear direction to staff and consultants to support both individual growth and program success.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Professional work experience and/or education in planning science business administration public administration engineering or a related field with increasing responsibility for managing complex programs or projects.
• Experience conducting developing and/or leading long-term and/or strategic planning environmental review decision-making processes and/or policy analysis.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of program management project management contract management and/or planning techniques principles and practices.
• Experience leading a team to accomplish a complex program or project.
• Experience leading or preparing a variety of types of documents plans memos briefings and/or summaries describing complex projects programs policies or processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for synthesizing and conveying complex information to a variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
• 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.

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• 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.

• Knowledge of water and/or wastewater conveyance or treatment methods and techniques.

• Knowledge of local government processes public utility issues policy and/or communications.

• Knowledge of environmental regulations such as federal Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

• Experience using or developing decision making criteria principles and practices including identifying issues needing management attention/input.

Working Conditions:

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

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