Assistant Operations Manager

Summary

Lead Bold Change: Shape Operations, Drive Equity, and Protect Communities!

Are you passionate about creating lasting impact at the intersection of environmental health, racial equity, and operational excellence?

As the Assistant Operations Manager for the Hazardous Waste Management Program, you'll play a pivotal leadership role-driving strategic initiatives, optimizing operations, and advancing equity-centered practices to protect human and environmental health. This is more than just a job-it's an opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and lead an expert team committed to making the Puget Sound Region the cleanest in the country - one free of hazardous chemical exposure. Ready to make a difference? Join us and be the catalyst for change!

About the Position

The Assistant Operations Manager plays a vital leadership role in managing program-wide business functions within a complex organizational environment. Reporting directly to the Hazardous Waste Management Program Director, this position is responsible for financial, racial equity, performance, people and culture management, as well as the Program’s overall operating structure.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Assistant Operations Manager will lead strategic planning and execution of key initiatives and projects to advance the Program’s Management Plan, enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness, and strengthen financial and resource management. This role requires expertise in managing organizational policies, procedures, and workflows to improve performance, foster collaboration across agencies and teams, and embed racial equity values and practices into daily operations.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in financial oversight, workforce and operational management, and continuous improvement processes. They will also supervise and support key team members, including the racial equity planner, performance manager, finance manager, and organizational development/HR manager, ensuring alignment with the Program’s mission to build an anti-racist organization.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by embedding equity, environmental, and social justice principles into daily operations while fostering a workplace culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration .

About the Team

The Hazardous Waste Management Program is a regional coalition of governments dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by reducing the threats posed by hazardous materials. Serving King County, Washington’s 2.3 million residents and 70,000 businesses, the Program operates with an annual budget of $21 million and a dedicated team of approximately 70 staff members.

Our mission is to promote healthier communities and a cleaner environment by helping residents and businesses safely manage hazardous materials. We achieve this through a range of services, including household hazardous waste collection and disposal, prevention programs, and policy initiatives. To learn more about our work, visit www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov .

This position is part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), one of the Program’s key participating agencies. WLRD leads efforts to protect and restore clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities in the face of climate change. Our work includes flood hazard reduction, stormwater management, and environmental restoration, all guided by principles of equity, innovation, and collaboration. Discover more about WLRD’s impactful work at www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wlr.aspx .

Joining our team means contributing to a collaborative, values-driven environment where your expertise will directly support initiatives that make King County a safer, healthier, and more sustainable place to live and 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 employees. As an Assistant Operations 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 Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) 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:

• Develop, implement, and manage operational policies and procedures to improve eff iciency , effectiveness , and overall productivity .
  
  

• Supervise financial management including the Program’s funding structure, financial policies, rate planning, audits, best practices , budget development, and reporting.
  
  

• Lead continuous improvement activities within operation process to enhance performance .
  
  

• Manage staffing structure, workforce , and operational issues and process es to achieve Program objectives and goals.
  
  

• Supervise and support the work of the racial equity planner, performance manager, and finance manager.
  
  

• Manage and support of the racial equity and organizational development work program and manager.
  
  

• Develop and effectively maintain relationships across agencies and teams to foster a culture of trust , transparency, collaboration , and results.
  
  

• Embed and o perationalize racial equity , environmental , and social justice principles and practices throughout operations and services.
  
  

• Manage initiatives, special projects and other duties as assigned.
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Operational Expertise: 8 years of experience managing complex organizational environments that will support a workforce that spans multiple agencies within public or private sectors. Able to develop and execute long-term plans that ensure the Program’s success.
  
  
• Leadership and Management: 5 years of proven success in leading diverse teams and management of staff in cross-functional and cross-agency teams and change initiatives. Experience fostering a high performance, collaborative culture that drives engagement and results.
  
  
• Financial Stewardship: 5 years of proficiency managing large and complex budgets and making sound financial decisions that center the organization’s health and showcase ethical stewardship of ratepayer funds.
  
  
• Racial Equity, Environmental and Social Justice: 3 years of deep commitment to and experience in upholding and implementing principles of racial equity, environmental and social justice, with a proven ability to integrate these principles into Program’s operations and services.
  
  
• Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communicator who can articulate priorities, strategies, and vision to employees, agency partners, and other stakeholders.
  
  
• Customer Service: Advocate for the needs and interests of customers, ratepayers, and others impacted by the Program’s services.
  
  
• Change Management and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage organizational change, introducing innovative solutions to complex challenges while maintaining focus on mission and goals. Proven ability to engage staff, actively seek their feedback, and ensure successful adoption of changes.

It Would Be Nice if You Also Bring:

• Management: At least 10 years of progressively responsible management experience including organizational development, strategic planning, program management, coalition management, and staff supervision; AND experience in an intergovernmental structure.
  
  
• Workforce Leadership: At least 8 years of experience successfully leading an interdisciplinary workforce. Ability to develop and maintain an effective, collaborative, and positive staffing environment including workforce and personnel management, conflict resolution, and guiding staff through adaptation and change.
  
  
• Financial Management: At least 8 years of financial management experience including forecasting, budget development, resource allocation, expenditure tracking, reporting. Including knowledge of financial management practices.
  
  
• Equity & Social Racial Justice: At least 5 years of experience applying and operationalizing principles of racial equity, and environmental and social justice in service-based programs and working with diverse populations.

Competencies You Bring:

• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to the future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
  

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
  

• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
  

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
  

• Racially Just: Identify and replace racist systems and structures with anti-racist and pro-equity approaches.
  

• Decision Quality : Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
  

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions :

• Work Location : Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 3-4 days per month. 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.
• Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and it is not eligible for overtime. This full-time position works a 40 -hour work week.
• Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union.

Application and Selection Process:
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness of online application, cover letter, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials may NOT be considered for this position:

• King County application (REQUIRED)
• Resume (Optional; (will be reviewed if submitted)
• Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: William R. Herbert, Human Resource Analyst
wherbert@kingcounty.gov
(206) 477-5494

Discover More About the Division: Visit our website .

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 .

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.

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
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal 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: 3/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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