Drainage Engineer III

This position is open to all King County employees and the general public.

King County Road Services Division is seeking an experienced civil engineer to join the Engineering Section as a Drainage Engineer / Project Manager (Engineer III). This position leads drainage improvement projects from design through construction primarily using County Roads design and construction staff with minor assistance from design consultants and private construction contractors. This position will be focused on solving drainage problems and slide repairs within County right-of-way.

The role carries primary responsibility for technical review and compliance with King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual. Youll work alongside a team of engineers and support staff who take the technical work seriously and value getting it right in the field.

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Directors Office and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.

The King County Road Services Division designs builds operates and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the countys transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

Applyingequity racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values behaviors and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Serve in a lead technical capacity on drainage emergency repair and fish passage projects coordinating daily work with engineering and field staff.
• Coordinate drainage improvement project construction with county crew chiefs.
• Manage assigned capital improvement projects including schedules budgets and work plans.
• Lead a team of three Engineer IIs under the supervision of an Engineer IV.
• Prepare road drainage plans slide repair plans and drainage design reports to meet King County Road Standards Surface Water Design Manual and local state and federal environmental regulations.
• Serve as liaison between the County and the public consultants permitting agencies operations engineering and maintenance staff (e.g. maintenance supervisors crews) and other internal and external staff.
• Lead the review of construction documents and design packages by in-house and consultant staff.
• Develop and manage the preparation of hydrologic reports hydraulic analyses modeling reports contract plans specifications special provisions and cost estimates.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and resolve project conflicts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Values (ACTIVATE)

• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Timely
• Impactful
• Value Employees
• Accessible
• Trusted
• Equitable

• Four or more years of experience or bachelors degree in civil engineering construction management or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience in developing road traffic and/or drainage design plans specifications and cost estimates (PS&E packages) for capital infrastructure projects including developing and managing scopes schedules and budgets.
• Proficient in hydrology and hydraulic software including MGS Flood and backwater computer programs (e.g. EPA-SWMM KC Backwater etc) or equivalent.
• Proficient in the use of GIS programs and engineering survey techniques (e.g. level loop GPS baseline field survey) for drainage and slide projects.
• Experienced in using AutoCAD and/or Civil3D.
• Experienced with drainage roadway maintenance and construction practices including relevant standards and design principles.
• Working knowledge of APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road Bridge and Municipal Construction.
• Able to lead technical work facilitate difficult conversations and apply sound project management principles.
• Able to manage and prioritize a high volume of diverse projects and multiple competing tasks with strong attention to detail.
• Skilled in problem solving and managing conflict effectively.
• Skilled in handling politically sensitive issues with professionalism and discretion.
• Experienced in collaborating within teams that foster a diverse inclusive and respectful work environment where differences are valued.
• Proficient in standard MS Office and project management software.

Desired Qualifications:

• A valid Washington Professional Engineer (PE) license or the ability to transfer license to Washington State within 90 days of hire.
• Bachelors degree in civil engineering construction management or closely related field.
• Project Management training and/or Project Management Certification.
• Experienced in floodplain modeling stream geomorphology and fish passage design with a strong working knowledge of each area.
• Experience in consultant contract preparation negotiation and administration.

Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State drivers license or the ability to obtain onewithin 30 days of hire.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical.

Working Environment:

• Work performed in the office and field.
• Work from the Renton Roads Maintenance Facility is required in a hybrid office environment.
• Work performed in the field may be under inclement weather conditions and require walking on uneven steep rocky or rough ground.
• Must be able to safely negotiate and traverse steep slopes.
• Must be able to bend and lift to load equipment into vehicles.
• Must be able to work around heavy equipment and other potentially dangerous activities associated with construction sites.
• Specific vision abilities include close distant and color.
• Physical activity includes lifting up to 25 lbs. to at least waist height; carrying and moving objects.
• Must be able to work in an active high volume traffic environment.

The first review of applicants will be on the week of July 27 2026 and applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview the week of August 3 2026.

This recruitment will be used to fill one career service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional vacancies that may occur within the next six months.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

Forms and Materials:A completed King County Application is required as well as a resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience qualifications knowledge and skills for the position.

Selection Process:Applications will be screened for clarity completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.

For interviewing tips please see the STAR-LA method:

Work Schedule:The work week is typically Monday-Friday with 8-hour days and variable shifts. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay with prior supervisor approval.

The employee will report to work at Renton Maintenance Facility (155 Monroe Ave NE Renton).

Emergency Designation Status:This position has been designated as:

Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed suspended or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive department director or agency head all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

Union Membership:PROTEC17

Work Location:
We work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness arrive prepared and on time and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. The employee will report to Renton Maintenance Facility (155 Monroe Ave NE Renton WA 98056).

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

King County has a robust collection oftools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.

Forbes recently 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 teamdedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.

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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment please contact Ira Becton HR Analyst by email at .