Special Projects Manager

Summary

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants. This position is a Special Duty or Term Limited Temporary Assignment expected duration is 3 years.

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 Director's Office. We're seeking 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 Director's Office is continually required to work on unanticipated projects through budget provisos, elected officials, interactions with MWPAAC partners (Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee), 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 non-traditional capital projects and require both political 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 County's largest, most complex utilities with a variety of interesting, challenging, and critical projects.

About the Role:
This strategic opportunity will provide expertise in managing politically sensitive, inter-governmental, strategic, regulatory, and confidential projects/programs for the Wastewater Treatment Division's Director's Office. Manage projects/programs that will likely be subject to substantial scrutiny of elected officials, citizens, community based organizations, and special interest groups, etc. The projects and programs tied to this role will have multiple diverse stakeholders with differing and potentially conflicting desired outcomes.

The initial body of work will be to serve as project manager, on behalf of the WTD's Director's 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 performs work remotely and onsite.

Why it's a Great Team:
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 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 enforce regulations 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.

Working at King County provides a generous benefits package that includes:

• Career advancement opportunities.
• Ample training opportunities.
• Thoughtful hybrid/virtual work environment.
• Good work-life balance.
• Some of the best medical benefits in the region with no monthly fee: - Medical, Dental, and vision.
• Excellent retirement benefits including Deferred Compensation Plan and Washington State pension.
• Other King County privileges include gym discounts, a free bus pass, first-time home buyer assistance, and life insurance.

These benefits are valued at $20-40K annually on top of salary.

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 Projects Manager 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:

• Determine project scope, set priorities, identify potential issues, while ensuring project/programs are aligned with County strategies, initiatives, and Wastewater Treatment Division mission, vision, values, and goals. Monitor and document project 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 remain in compliance with all relevant State, Federal, local, and King County requirements/regulations.
• Manage and lead a matrixed staff while controlling day-to-day activities related to project issues, risks, quality, and budget.
• Prepare and give presentations to internal and external audiences on progress, current status and responses to identified issues.
• Maintain open and 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.
• Advanced 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 leading multi-discipline work teams and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• 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.
• Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Project management experience within a complex operating utility or government infrastructure.
• Experience partnering with other governmental agencies, jurisdictions, regulators, tribes, and/or community groups.
• 10 or more years directing or managing projects for a complex utility or industrial enterprise.
• Regulatory strategic ability including regulatory interpretation, compliance risk assessment, negotiation, interaction with regulators, and experience crafting and implementing regulator mechanisms.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

Remote and Onsite Work Details:
Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 3-5 times monthly. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.

Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.

Primary Onsite Location: The primary onsite location is King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This location offers excellent accessibility through multiple mass transit options ensuring convenient and sustainable commuting. This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.

Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, 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 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.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

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

Virtual Interview Dates:
Should you apply and be invited to interview with our team, the first round of virtual interviews will be held on 7/1 or 7/2. Final interviews will be held on 7/9 or 7/10.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Blake Bennett at Blbennett@KingCounty,gov.

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD 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 the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.

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.


Closing Date/Time:

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