Capital Delivery Efficiency & Rule 171 Specialist (SDA)

Job Description

Summary

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. External applicants are not being considered.

This recruitment is open only to current King County employees in a regular position who have completed their initial probation and will used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) with an anticipated 3 year duration. External applicants are not being considered.

Join our Capital Delivery team to drive multi-million-dollar efficiencies across King County’s wastewater infrastructure portfolio. We are seeking an analytical, forward-thinking, and collaborative professional to serve as our dedicated Rule 171 Tax Eligibility Specialist and Capital Efficiency Lead
About the Role:
In this role, you will lead the systematic screening of capital projects under Washington State Tax Rule 171 (Public Road Construction) while shaping strategic, legislative, and policy efforts aimed at accelerating capital project delivery and optimizing public funds. You will serve as the programmatic expert-guiding project teams from pre-scoping through closeout, reforming internal procurement/project delivery standards, and advancing regional policy changes that reduce overhead and maximize legal tax savings on complex infrastructure assets.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team:
This position resides within the King County WTD Capital Delivery Strategy, Quality, and Standards Team.

Our regional wastewater treatment system has a big job to do. Operating around the clock, our vital infrastructure sustains a healthy environment and supports the economic development that enables our region to thrive. Serving a population of over 2.3 million people across a 2,200-square-mile service area, our agency relies on a dedicated workforce of approximately 1,000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating advanced treatment facilities.

In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to work across all wastewater workgroups and lines of business to shape how our utility adapts to changing regulations and builds infrastructure for future generations. You will be supporting the growth and strategic development of King County’s largest, most complex capital program, driving a wide variety of interesting, challenging, and critical projects.

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 partner with regulatory agencies to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that 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. If you're passionate 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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Capital Delivery Efficiency & Rule 171 Specialist , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .
Apply 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 You Will Be Doing:

Strategic Cost Optimization & Capital Delivery Efficiency

• Capital Portfolio Optimization: Align Rule 171 tax strategies with King County WTD’s broader cost optimization initiatives, identifying systemic schedule acceleration and cost-reduction opportunities across linear and facility projects.
• Alternative Project Delivery Integration: Partner with project teams using Progressive Design-Build (PDB), General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM), and traditional Design-Bid-Build to optimize procurement timing, contract structuring, and tax treatment early in project development.
• Delivery Efficiency Metrics: Track, evaluate, and report key performance metrics related to tax savings, schedule reduction, and procurement efficiencies to WTD leadership and the King County Executive’s Office.

Legislative Advocacy & Policy Modernization Support

• Policy & Legislative Reform: Support WTD leadership and King County Intergovernmental Relations in identifying legislative barriers to efficient capital delivery; draft technical policy proposals, legislative briefing papers, and statutory language changes targeting tax rules, public works thresholds, and procurement streamlined authorities.
• DOR Engagement & Advisory: Serve as a technical liaison to the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) on excise tax rule updates (WAC 458-20-170 / 171), participating in administrative rule-making and state-level infrastructure working groups to advocate for clear, modernized tax definitions for utility construction.
• Regional & Agency Collaboration: Engage with municipal partners, transit agencies, and state associations (e.g., Washington State Association of Counties) to align legislative strategies for capital delivery reform and shared right-of-way infrastructure efficiencies.

Project Screening & Tax Eligibility Evaluation

• Screening Criteria: Develop written criteria in conjunction with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) to screen projects with the highest likelihood of a successful Rule 171 tax exemption.
• Pre-Design Reviews: Review pre-charters, charters, 30% and 60% design plans, property agreements, and right-of-way (ROW) maps to confirm pipeline, force main, or stormwater segments eligible for Rule 171 status. Assist Project Managers in tailoring scopes to preserve tax-exempt status.
• Cost-Benefit Financial Modeling: Perform upfront financial modeling to calculate net tax savings under Rule 171 versus Rule 170 for split-scope projects, factoring in lifecycle administrative costs.
• Tax Determinations: Author formal Tax Eligibility Determinations and defend findings to senior leadership, legal counsel, and external auditors.

Contract Procurement & Bidding Support

• Specification & Bid Design: Collaborate with Procurement and Project Controls to draft explicit Rule 171 contract provisions and bid schedules that cleanly separate Rule 170 work (facilities/pump stations) from Rule 171 work (conveyance in public ROW).
• Bidding Clarifications: Direct pre-bid briefings to ensure bidding contractors understand tax liabilities and avoid double-counting sales tax in unit pricing.

Construction Administration & Change Management

• Pay App Audits & Change Orders: Audit monthly contractor payment estimates and review change orders on split-scope contracts to enforce proper sales tax application.
• Closeout & Audit Defense: Lead final contract tax reconciliations and maintain complete audit trails for Department of Revenue compliance.

Programmatic Standards, SOPs & Training

• WTD Guidelines: Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), toolkits, and screening checklists for project managers across the capital pipeline.
• Internal Capacity Building: Design and conduct workshops for engineers, project managers, and contract administrators to embed cost-optimization principles and Rule 171 opportunity spot-checks into early project workflows.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Experience: 5+ years in public works project controls, contract administration, capital delivery management, public procurement, or capital program policy development.
• Tax & Policy Knowledge: Strong understanding of WA Department of Revenue excise tax rules (WAC 458-20-170 and 171), state public works statutes (RCW 39.04), and legislative processes related to local government capital delivery.
• Technical Literacy: Ability to interpret engineering plan sets, utility profiles, right-of-way boundaries, and complex municipal funding structures.
• Cost Optimization Mindset: Demonstrated success in identifying process bottlenecks, implementing lean capital delivery strategies, or capturing soft/hard cost savings in large infrastructure programs.
• Soft Skills & Legislative Acumen: Exceptional diplomatic, negotiation, and communication skills; proven ability to advocate for policy changes with state/local stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams through procedural changes.

Competencies You Bring :

• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
  
• 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.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Builds Networks: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Drives Vision and Purpose: Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: : The Strategy Quality Standards 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 business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. 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 department's 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. [Select One] 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 Instructions:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. 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.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment:

• Panel interviews: Virtual week of December, 14, 2026

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube and our WTD Blog .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our 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 the Natural 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 nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s 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 Workinger at Mworkinger@kingcounty.gov .

King County's 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 person's 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.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific