On-Site Sewage (OSS) Permitting Health & Environmental Investigator IV

Are you interested in improving environmental health by ensuring that on-site sewage systems (OSS) are designed and installed to provide effective treatment that protects people and the environment

This position is a unique opportunity within the Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division of Public Health Seattle & King County to serve with Local Health Officer authority to implement the OSS Program. You will also lead a highly skilled team of professional sanitarians to implement King County Board of Health Title 13 On-Site Sewage code to support new development replacement systems and ensure the 85000 on site systems in King County are safe.

This position reports to the Community Environmental Health (CEH) Section Manager.

About the Environmental Health Services Division:
Through the work of over 190 dedicated employees the Environmental Health Services Division promotes healthy and equitable environmental conditions and prevents disease through sanitation safe food air and water and reduction of exposure to hazardous addition to permitting and inspecting public pools spas pet businesses plumbing installations on-site septic systems and solid waste facilities the division also works in partnership with community to address unhealthy environmental conditions and leads the departments climate change efforts. Our vision is healthy safe and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race gender or economic status.

The Divisions core values include equity and social justice integrity community service collaboration a supportive work culture and learning from each other and the communities we serve. To learn more please visit This recruitment will be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional Career Service Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies that may occur over the next six months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nations history King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices strategies and policies that promote fairness justice and opportunity for all in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights opportunities and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020 King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more please visit Duties

• Ensures effective management of the OSS Permitting Program. This position serves with Local Health Officer authority to implement the OSS Program via the King County Board of Health Title 13 On-Site Sewage code.
• Maintains subject matter expertise with OSS technologies and industry practices. Serve as a technical expert and advisor. Oversees program appeals waivers or other variances. Provides a high level of customer service to solve challenging land use / OSS problems.
• Leads and supervises a team of 8 Health & Environmental Investigator IIIs (Protect 17 represented) in implementing the On-Site Sewage code. Establishes clear roles and responsibilities work plan objectives and performance evaluations for team members.
• Coordinates closely with King County Department of Local Services and other jurisdictional building departments on permitting for building and land use applications.
• Oversees recruitment and onboarding of new staff and participates in workforce development planning for program and section and conducts annual performance assessments as assigned.
• Works with licensed OSS professionals architects partner agencies and staff to troubleshoot challenging issues and identify pathways forward.
• Helps develop and actively participates in the use of data systems to plan and track OSS Permitting work. Oversees program planning evaluation and implementation of adaptive management to advance evolving public health needs.
• Oversees development and delivery of reports environmental and public health advisory information and communications materials for education and dissemination to the public.
• Develops and evaluates short and long-range program plans goals and objectives. Leads implementation of programmatic changes. Ensure agency division and department strategic objectives are reflected in program plans and service delivery.
• Collaborates with the OSS O&M Team to help ensure systems are operated and maintained following approved designs and helps respond to failing systems in a timely manner.
• Coordinates with Washington State Department of Health to ensure King County OSS code is consistent with state code.
• Manages and supports organizational change initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Seven (7) years of working knowledge of and experience in environmental health Onsite Sewage Systems technical regulatory administrative and policy issues and operation and maintenance practices of onsite sewage systems OR equivalent education/experience.
• Registered Sanitarian OR ability to obtain registration within 6 months of hire.
• Mature and developed understanding of personnel dynamics including conflict resolution inclusiveness transparency employee recognition and team building.
• Strong listening skills harness staff talent build program resiliency efficiency and staff excellence.
• Good governance / Customer service. Providing a value-added experience.
• Partnership and Collaboration. Ability to build and sustain partnerships to advance program goals. Demonstrated skill in coordinating with industry contractors local government partners and property owners on code and code interpretation and material and installation standards for on-site septic systems.
• Mentoring. Ability to explain the why behind codes; provides technical assistance to the work of others.
• Demonstrated successful project management skills and directing the work of team members.

• Ten (10) years of working knowledge of and experience in environmental health Onsite Sewage Systems technical regulatory administrative and policy issues and operation and maintenance practices of onsite sewage systems.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience leading a team of OSS professionals.
• Public health focus. Knowledge and understanding of public health principles.
• Inclusive Culture. Ability to develop and maintain an inclusive culture with a climate in which people want to do their best; can motivate many kinds of direct reports team or project members; enables co-workers to grow and succeed through feedback instruction and encouragement.
• Communication. Demonstrated excellence in facilitation communication and plain talk written skills.
• Budget and performance accountability. Tracks performance accountability. Assists in budgeting to achieve desired performance.
• Political accountability. Works with leadership to implement code commensurate with available resources.
• Social Justice. Knowledge of and ability to lead with equity and social justice in an organization program and/or community setting.
• Safety. Knowledge of occupational safety hazards and precautions.
• Technology. Comfort with learning new digital technologies and engaging with colleagues on efforts to upgrade county and division systems and practices.

Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King Countys vision for unified equitable and high-performing government please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover letter
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state see my resume or see my personnel file are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process please contact Sarah Dunkinson @ .

King Countys Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles engage directly with communities and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards embrace change stay curious and continuously improve. Across all interactions we listen first act quickly and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex race color national origin ethnicity religious affiliation disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression age except by minimum age and retirement provisions pregnancy status as a family caregiver parental status marital status military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression citizenship or immigration status genetic information or other protected class. However to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law regulation or government contract it is not an unfair practice.

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.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions interviewing and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• The selected candidate must pass a Pre-Employment Physical.
• For more information on our selection process please refer to For tips on interviewing please visit are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance effective communication skills and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time including nights and weekends with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• 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.

Work Schedule

This position is Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. This position is FLSA exempt and not eligible for overtime.

Work location:

This position is based out of our Eastgate Office 14350 SE Eastgate Way Bellevue WA 98007.

The team works in a hybrid model with a minimum of 3 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 building name and address.

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

This position is represented byPROTEC 17 Labor Union.