Senior Wastewater Utility Planner

Summary

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

*Note: Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions .

Exciting News! Wastewater Treatment Division's (WTD's) Planning Groups are looking for TWO special duty or term limited temporary Senior Wastewater Utility Planners (WQPPM Ill) who want to work for an organization that empowers continued learning, values work/life balance, and works to support thriving, resilient neighborhoods, and communities in the Puget Sound region.

About The Role:

These two positions are for three-years duration and will serve as senior wastewater utility planners in the comprehensive sewer system planning program. The comprehensive sewer system planning program is working to update King County's Regional Wastewater Service Plan (RWSP), which is the long-term plan for the regional wastewater system. The program team works with other sections of the agency, component sewer agencies, King County Council committees and staff, other governments, environmental groups, regulators, and the public. The comprehensive sewer system planning program is responsible for assessing long-term strategic options for capital investments in the regional sewer system and delivering a plan that meets legal requirements and has sufficient political support for adoption. Some of the key issues to be addressed by this planning process include population growth, climate change, aging assets, resource recovery, potential future regulatory requirements, and sewer rate affordability given increasing investment needs. These positions will work as part of a team at the senior level under a program manager to develop and lead decision making processes, develop technical information, and develop necessary documentation for decision making and to comply with regulatory requirements. These positions will also provide project guidance and work item support to mid-level staff within related programs.

This position performs work remotely and onsite.
*Note: Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions .

About The Team:
The Combined System and Utility Planning Group is one of the two groups that develop, update, and track implementation of long-term plans for King County's WTD. The Combined System and Utility Planning group focused on planning for:

• The comprehensive sewer system,
• Combined sewer overflow control,
• Climate adaptation, and
• Asset management.

The Combined System and Utility Planning group helps ensure that WTD planning groups help ensure that WTD is successful in providing sewer services into the future, including in those areas that have been historically underinvested in. 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 WQPPM Ill, 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:

• Lead or assist in the updating of various technical and policy components of WTD's comprehensive sewer plan, the Regional Wastewater Service Plan.
• Coordinate and develop policy analyses and technical studies of various aspects of the regional system to assess potential strategic approaches to address multiple challenges and opportunities.
• Coordinate, develop, execute, and/or assist with various types of planning processes, decision making roadmaps, technical, costing, and policy analyses, such as treatment options, conveyance options, benefit/costs analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, and data statistical analyses to evaluate technical concepts, recommend policies and decisions for various planning programs to inform decision making processes.
• Coordinate with other units within WTD to consider the nexus and context of other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to various planning programs.
• Coordinate communication about the planning process with communications specialists and consultants, and engage with multiple interested parties, regulators, component sewer agency staff, tribes, and others.
• Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity, as described in the County's Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, into the update of the comprehensive sewer plan.
• Lead and prepare written reports, memos, and other documents necessary to support various planning programs and inform decision making processes.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Must Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, environmental science, communications, or closely related field OR the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience leading planning, environmental review, and/or policy analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences, such as the general public, stakeholder groups, other sewer utilities, agency leadership, and elected representatives.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of project management, contract management, team management, and planning techniques, principles, and practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects.
• Experience working independently with minimal guidance where there may be ambiguity and established procedures and policies may not exist and must be developed to craft solutions and pathways leading to recommendations.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to changing priorities, needs, and direction.

Competencies You Bring:
Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions. Stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules. Anticipates and adjusts effective contingency plans.
Interpersonal Savvy- Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, culture, and geography. Acts with diplomacy and tact. Builds rapport in an open, friendly, and accepting way. Builds constructive relationships with people both similar and different to self. Picks up on interpersonal and group dynamics.
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.
Strategic Mindset - Anticipates future trends and implications accurately. Readily poses future scenarios. Articulates credible pictures and visions of possibilities that will create sustainable value. Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action.
Action Oriented - Readily acts on challenges, without unnecessary planning. Identifies and seizes new opportunities. Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times. Steps up to handle tough issues.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Knowledge of wastewater conveyance and treatment methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting on an average of one to two times per month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104), or one of WTD's regional treatment plants. This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision.
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.
Work Location: Remote/Onsite - King Street Center 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 or one of the WTD's regional treatment plants.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. 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 The Technical Employees' Association.
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

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening. There will be a written examination prior to interviews.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Delores Venters - dventers@kingcounty.gov
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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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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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