Special Project Manager
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Job Location:
Seattle, OR - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 149842 - 189934
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
- This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.
About the Role:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is seeking an enthusiastic strategic thinking agile and collaborative leader to manage and advise complex infrastructure programs and projects out of the Directors Office. We need a proven politically savvy utility leader who will leverage their team building project management and contracting expertise and experience to strategically resolve challenges that are as technically complex as they are critical to the quality of life of the communities we serve.
The Directors Office is continually required to work on unanticipated projects through budget provisos elected officials interactions with MWPAAC partners addressing strategic needs coordinating policy issues special interest groups Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) requests etc. These unanticipated projects can be complex of long duration and/or needing stakeholder interaction and require the incumbent in this position to plan strategize and organize the work direct team members manage schedule and budget develop reports and close out the work. Innovative and collaborative approaches to improve the speed and efficiency of managing unanticipated or politically sensitive projects will be an exciting challenge for this position. These are typically not traditional capital projects and require both politically savvy and the ability to strategically resolve challenges.
Our regional wastewater treatment system has a big job to do. Not only does it operate around the clock to sustain a healthy environment but this vital infrastructure also supports economic development that enables our region to thrive. You will have the unique opportunity to work across all wastewater workgroups and lines of business to help shape how we as a utility adapt and respond to changing regulations and build infrastructure for future generations. You will be a key part of one of King Countys largest most complex utilities with a variety of interesting challenging and critical projects.Provide expertise in managing politically sensitive inter-governmental strategic regulatory and confidential projects/programs for the Wastewater Treatment Divisions Directors Office. Manage projects/programs that will likely be subject to substantial scrutiny of elected officials citizens community-based organizations and special interest groups etc. Projects/programs will have multiple diverse stakeholders with differing and potentially conflicting desired outcomes.
The initial primary body of work will be to serve as project manager on behalf of the WTDs Directors Office to implement the clean-up remedy for the Upper Reach of the Lower Duwamish Waterway (LDW). The clean-up of the Upper Middle and Lower Reaches of the Waterway is a collaborative effort of the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (LDWG) a public-private partnership between The Boeing Company the City of Seattle and King County committed to advancing the EPA-led cleanup of the Lower Duwamish. About LDWG Lower Duwamish Waterway Group- LDWG is committed to advancing EPA-led cleanup of contaminated sediments in the LDW working with Ecology who is leading efforts to control sources of contamination from areas upland of the waterway.
- Cleanup will enhance the health of the LDW for tribes and community members support a more thriving economy and provide a healthier habitat for fish and wildlife.
This position follows a hybrid work model blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team:
The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is dedicated to safeguarding water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region. Our primary mission is to provide high-quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. With a workforce of about 1000 employees and multiple facilities we serve a population of 2 million people. Our goal is to ensure clean water for the present and future generations preserving the natural beauty of our environment. We are committed to accountability both to our ratepayers and to operating as a well-managed agency.At WTD we firmly believe in the principles of equity and social justice. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives and life experiences within our workforce and strive to foster a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. We provide equitable services to all residents and businesses across King County promoting fairness and equal access for all. Join our team at WTD and contribute to our mission of protecting water quality upholding our commitment to equity and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for our community.
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 Special Project 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 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 YouWillBe Doing:
- Determine scope and issues ensuring project/programs are aligned with County strategies initiatives and Wastewater Treatment Division mission vision values and goals. Set priorities. Monitor and document progress.
- Develop short-term plans to establish service or to mitigate major issues and develop timelines for implementation. Draft long-range plans to ensure programs remains in compliance with all relevant State Federal local and King County requirements and regulations.
- Manage and control day-to-day activities issues risks quality and budget. Lead matrixed staff.
- Prepare and give presentations to internal and external audiences on progress current status and responses to identified issues.
- Maintain open continuous communication with citizen groups and other interested parties to mitigate negative exposure and report progress.
Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
Qualifications You Bring:
- Advanced knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices; advanced analytical and conceptual skills.
- Advanced knowledge and skill in managing highly visible and politically sensitive projects; skill in organizing planning and execution.
- Knowledge and skill in managing projects for a large organization with diverse business operations strategic information requirements and priorities.
- Skill in effectively communicating orally and in writing including making formal presentations to groups and committees influencing decision-makers in a political environment and working with the media and the public.
- Skill in problem-solving conflict resolution negotiating and decision making.
- Skill in handling multiple competing priorities.
- Skill in managing and leading multi-discipline work teams; skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Manages Complexity -Making sense of complex high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
- 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.
- Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
- Experience with project management within a complex operating utility or government infrastructure.
- Experience partnering with other governmental agencies jurisdictions regulators tribes and/or community groups.
- Regulatory strategic ability including regulatory interpretation compliance risk assessment negotiation interaction with regulators and experience crafting and implementing regulatory mechanisms.
Supplemental Information
- Work Condition:
- Work Details:The WTD Directors Office 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 the business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is the collaboration space at King Street Center - 201 S. Jackson St Seattle WA 98104additional onsite locations may include: West Point Treatment Plant 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Road S.W. Renton Brightwater Treatment Plant 22505 State Route 9 S.E. Woodinville.
- Requirement:Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment. 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 position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
- Union Representation:This position is not represented by a Union
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified internal King County employees only.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.AnticipatedTimeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)
Technical Interview: Virtual interview will be held in February 2026
Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held in late February into March 2026
To apply submit a:- Complete Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents wont be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our websiteand check us out at Facebook X (formerly Twitter) InstagramYouTube and theWTD Blog.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP 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 theNatural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington States best employers.
Together with leadership and our employees were changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a differenceCome join the team dedicated to serving one of the nations 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.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Computer Science
- Continuous Integration
- Fraud
- Intake Experience
- Law Enforcement
- Usability
- Analysis Skills
- Computer Forensics
- Driving
- Teaching
- Counterintelligence
- Sass
