Wastewater Utility Planner
Seattle, WA - USA
Job Summary
- Summary
- This recruitment aims to fill four (4) Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions with an anticipated duration of up to 3 years with the possibility of extension. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.Join Us in Shaping the Future of Clean Water in King CountyThe Combined System and Utility Planning andTreatment and Separated Conveyance Planning groups serve a critical role at the leading edge of Wastewater Treatments capital delivery pipeline by identifying future projects that help to shape the future of the regions wastewater system. Wastewater Treatments capital delivery program has over 250 employees is on track to deliver over $500M in capital projects this year and is anticipated to expand to deliver nearly $2B per year within a decade. Our work within the Planning Groups guides major investments that improve public health and protect water quality and the environment in the Puget Sound region for decades to come.
Are you passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future for our communities King County Wastewater Treatment is seeking four (4)Wastewater Utility Planners (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II)to help shape the next generation of regional water infrastructure. Be a part of the long-term planning teams that are at the forefront of planning the upgrades and investments needed to keep our regional sewer system reliable resilient and environmentally sound for decades to come.
These positions offer an opportunity to influence how the region meets evolving environmental regulations and maintains the health of Puget Sound. You will work alongside a talented team of planners on complex meaningful projects that directly protect public health and improve water quality. The work provides technical challenges and interdisciplinary collaboration while offering fulfilling long-term impact and exceptional growth potential. Youll work on strategic planning infrastructure investment planning and interagency coordination experience that positions you for advancement within one of the nations most forward-thinking wastewater utilities. Whether your interests lie in policy project management or environmental systems planning youll have the chance to help set the direction for the future of clean water in our region.
About The Role:
As a Wastewater Utility Planner youll play a key role in shaping the future of King Countys regional wastewater system supporting essential infrastructure that protects public health safeguards our waterways and advances environmental equity across our communities. These positions are within the Combined System and Utility Planning group and the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group. These positions will help chart both short- and long-range plans for upgrading and renewing critical infrastructure. Your work will help the County replace aging assets address and prevent sewer overflows and plan system improvements that provide sufficient capacity and meet current and future regulatory requirements.
You will collaborate across disciplines working closely with engineers scientists consultants and community partners to develop conceptual capital projects that will drive billions of dollars in future investment. From planning upgrades to the combined sewer system to improving treatment plants and separated conveyance system your contributions will directly influence how the County delivers reliable sustainable wastewater services for generations to come.
This role is ideal for an excellent communicator who thrives in a collaborative mission-driven environment and is motivated by complex planning challenges that have real-world impact. Youll have the opportunity to apply your technical and analytical skills while supporting King Countys commitment to innovation equity and environmental stewardship. Work is performed in a hybrid environment with a balance of remote collaboration and onsite engagement.
This position follows a hybrid work model blending remote and in-person work.
About The Team:
Our teams value adaptability and collaboration and were committed to solutions that reflect King Countys priorities forenvironmental stewardship quality of service social equity and financial accountability. Our team members are empowered to work collaboratively communicate effectively learn and grow from each other and drive innovative approaches to complex challenges.
Highlights of working with us include:- Supportive collaborative colleagues
- Professional growth and learning opportunities
- Flexible schedules and work arrangements
- A mix of independent and team-based work
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 this role 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 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 trainingcomprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.
- Review initiatives plans regulations policies technical studies and documents for impacts on the wastewater system.
- Assist in the coordination and development of various types of planning processes and documents including but not limited project cost estimates policy analyses cost/benefit analysis literature reviews sustainability analyses data analyses and technology reviews.
- Coordinate with other units within Wastewater Treatment to consider and incorporate other system needs opportunities and priorities as they relate to various planning programs.
- Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity as described in the Countys Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan into planning programs and projects.
- Prepare written reports memos presentations spreadsheets and other documents necessary to support various planning programs and inform decision making processes.
- Support project teams by managing SharePoint sites document reviews meeting notes decision logs etc.
Qualifications You Must Bring:
- Experience in planning engineering environmental science public administration environmental review research or policy analysis.
- Experience reviewing evaluating the feasibility of and drawing logical conclusions from technical studies plans policies or research findings.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
- Experience and/or knowledge of project management contract management and/or team management techniques principles and/or practices.
Competencies You Bring:
- Communicates Effectively- Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- 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.
- Action Oriented- Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency high energy and enthusiasm
- Interpersonal Savvy- Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
- Nimble Learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience and/or knowledge of planning techniques principles and practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects
- Knowledge of wastewater conveyance and/or treatment methods and techniques
- Knowledge of environmental regulations such as federal Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Working Conditions:
- Remote and Onsite Work Details:The Combined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Groups work in a hybrid model with 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 the Collaboration space at King Street Center 201 S. Jackson Seattle Washington 98104 and King County Treatment Plants. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace 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 full-time position works a 40-hour work week Monday - Friday. 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 represented by Technical Employees Association (TEA) - Wastewater Treatment Division
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value diverse perspectives 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.Applications without the following required materials will not be considered for this position.
To apply submit a:
- Complete Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
AnticipatedTimeline for this recruitment (subject to change):
- Virtual Technical Interviews (20 minutes) - Week of TBD
- Panel Interviews with writing exercise (120 minutes) - Week of 9/28
Who to Contact:For more information regarding this recruitment please contact: Mark Workinger -
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division:Visit ourwebsiteand check us out at Facebook X (formerly Twitter) InstagramYouTube and ourWTD Blog.
Discover More about DNRP:Visit ourwebsiteexplore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at FacebookX (formerly Twitter)LinkedInTikTokInstagramYouTubeandKeeping King County Green News.
Sign up forJob Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select theNatural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
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.
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 Mark Workingerat
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 pagehere.
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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.