Operations Supervisor III

Summary

Join an exciting opportunity as Operations Supervisor III (Classification: Supervisor III) and take the lead in driving Environmental Sustainability forward! Help advance the county’s recycling, carbon emission reduction, and environmental safety goals across eight Transfer Stations and two drop boxes. Be at the forefront of transforming the business model, launching innovative initiatives, and shaping the future of environmental impact. Work alongside a dynamic, supportive management team that thrives on creative thinking, bold problem-solving, and seamless collaboration. This is your chance to make a lasting impact while leading change!

This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the Operations Supervisor III

in the Solid Waste Division through May 2026.

About the Role:
Step into a dynamic leadership role where you’ll plan, coordinate, and oversee the operations of multiple work units, driving key programs to success. You’ll take charge of managing and approving budgets, setting priorities, and holding your team accountable for outstanding performance. At the heart of this position, you'll spearhead the critical work of waste diversion and material recovery. Lead efforts to educate customers on cost-effective recycling, partner with vendors, and ensure valuable materials like wood, metal, and cardboard are recovered and kept out of landfills. This is your chance to make a real impact on sustainability while guiding your team to new heights!

About the Team:
Join the fast-paced, high-energy team at the Operations section of King County’s Solid Waste Division, where you'll manage 8 transfer stations, two drop boxes, and a sprawling 920-acre landfill! This dynamic role offers a perfect mix of hands-on experience and team collaboration. With exciting career growth opportunities, excellent benefits, and a strong focus on work-life balance, King County Solid Waste Division is the place to build your future while making a real impact on the community and the environment.
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 Operations Supervisor III, 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 Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. 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, plan, organize, implement and direct the annual programs and objectives for multiple work units comprised of trades employees.
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinate supervisors and support staff concerning the most complex and/or sensitive issues/problems, recognize/commend employee who meet or exceed expectations, monitor time management and attendance, coach and counsel and discipline as needed.
• Provide guidance and direction in making work quality, customer service and/or employee satisfaction improvements.
• Identify and develop staffing requirements; delegate responsibilities and authority to subordinate supervisors; conduct employee performance evaluations of all multiple work unit supervisors and support staff; and make hiring, disciplinary and termination decisions.
• Ensure that day to day management is consistent with terms of applicable collective bargaining agreements and applied fairly to (all covered employees) multiple work units.
• Participate on Labor/Management Committees. Investigate and resolve grievances and complaints, issue verbal and written reprimands and letters of counseling and recommend further disciplinary action when necessary, resolve other human resource and payroll issues in consultation with Solid Waste Human Resources/Payroll staff.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Minimum three (3) years experience in supervising effectively through subordinate supervisors or leads, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, setting work performance standards, establishing work priorities, making program changes and resolving safety, training and personnel issues.
• Minimum three (3) years experience with two or more work units of increasingly responsible supervisory principles and practices in a represented/union environment, including work planning and performance management, and assigning, coordinating, and supervising work of employees at multiple sites and/or multiple bargaining groups in the same position.
• Minimum three (3) years experience with occupational hazards and safety precautions in an industry which could include construction, maintenance, operations or transportation.
• Experience working with Human Resources, Payroll, and collaboratively with union representatives and to consistently and fairly apply union contract language.
• Skill in using computer applications (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, MS Teams, etc.) and using effective business communications (verbal and written) while having tactful customer focus relations at all levels (i.e. employees, peers, supervisors, customers, officials and union representatives).
• A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel to other sites in a timely matter during the course of the work day/shift.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus- Build strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented- Take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Drives Engagement- Create a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
• Racially Just- Identify and replace racists systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.
• Ensures Accountability- Hold self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Collaborates- Build partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

It Would Also Be Great if You Bring:

• Five (5) or more years' experience in supervising effectively through subordinate supervisors or leads, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, setting work performance standards, establishing work priorities, making program changes and resolving safety, training and personnel issues.
• Three (3) or more years' experience in one or more of these areas: landfill operations, solid waste transportation or general transportation, solid waste transfer facilities, heavy-duty mechanical/maintenance shops and/ or Industrial work environment.
• Knowledge of King County, Washington State and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the area of specialization and environmental permits in the Solid Waste industry.
• Experience applying Equity and Social Justice on all work duties/activities.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The primary work locations can include the Solid Waste Division’s eight (8) transfer stations located throughout King County and the candidate must be available to work at any of the eight locations as assigned including Vashon Island. You can view a list of the stations at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/facilities/transfer.asp
• Work Schedule: The schedule may vary depending on business needs with shifts 4/10, 5/8, or 2 nd shift which all may include weekends and be on-call. You must be willing to work any of these schedules. Solid Waste Division facilities are open seven days a week. All Operations Managers and Supervisors are expected to participate in an after hours support rotation. Rotations are two weeks in duration and the number of rotations per year are approximately two to three times per calendar year.
• FLSA Status: This position is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This classification is represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 Supervisors.
• Physical Requirement: The candidate must be able to work in an office environment in addition to working in an outdoor construction environment which may include working work on uneven grades, slopes, surfaces, and terrain in inclement weather and other adverse conditions such as dust, odor, high volume noise and heavy traffic.

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 a technical screening interview and a final panel interview.

To apply, submit a required Complete Application and Resume. A cover letter is optional, but will be reviewed if submitted.
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jemima.McMahon@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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.

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
• 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: 5/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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