Project Program Manager IV - Policy Manager (TLT/SDA)

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future vacancies within the Water and Land Resources Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months.

Are you ready to step into a high-impact leadership role where your expertise will shape environmental policy, guide strategic decisions, and influence regional partnerships across King County? The Hazardous Waste Management Program is seeking a dynamic policy manager to lead our Policy line of business, drive upstream solutions, and ensure our communities thrive in a cleaner, safer future.
This role offers the chance to work at the intersection of strategy and action by influencing high-impact initiatives, driving equity-centered solutions, ensuring King County remains a leader in protecting communities from hazardous waste and harmful chemicals.

This position will serve as a key leadership position on highly visible priorities including: 1) analysis of complex policy, legislative, and social issues; 2) development of upstream policy and legislative strategies to reduce toxic exposures to people and the environment; 3) supervise and inspire of a talented team of policy professionals; 4) development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, methods, and standards for the Program’s policy work; and 5) provide strategic direction and leadership to a broad range of policy, planning, and initiatives to advance the Program’s mission and vision.

If you’re a leader who excels at collaborations, tacking complex challenges, and driving policies that create lasting change, this is a great opportunity for you!
About the Role
The Policy Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that protect King County residents and businesses from hazardous waste and harmful chemicals. In this expert-level position, you will lead and supervise a talented team of policy professionals, guiding their work to deliver high-impact results. Success requires deep experience in public sector policy and legislative planning, strong systems thinking, advanced data and legal analysis, and the ability to build and sustain partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
This senior leadership position is an opportunity to shape policy, stimulate innovation, and advance the Program’s mission to protect public and environmental health, embed equity, and reduce toxic exposures across King County. The ideal candidate is politically astute, highly collaborative, and an exceptional communicator, bringing a strategic mindset, the ability to navigate complexity, and a proven record of holding teams and processes accountable to deliver on critical commitments.
About the Team
This position helps fulfil the Hazardous Waste Management Program’s mission through upstream systems change to reduce hazardous materials exposure to people and the environment and, through the City/Tribal Grant Program, support cities and tribes to do the same. The Program serves King County’s 2.3 million residents and 60,000 businesses, with an annual budget of $21 million and approximately 70 staff. The Program’s mission is to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality by helping residents and businesses reduce the threat posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. The Program provides a range of services including collection and disposal, prevention programs, and policy initiatives. For more information visit Hazardous Waste Management Program.

About the Division
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production.We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.
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 the Project Program Manager IV - Policy Manager in the Hazardous Waste Management Program, 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?

Policy and Analysis

• Oversee the Policy line of business.
• Manage policy initiatives designed for adoption by state and local legislative and regulatory bodies.
• Serve as a technical expert and provide in-depth policy analysis.
• Engage in legislative and rule-making processes, including written comments and testimony.
• Manage policy planning and analysis functions for Hazardous Waste Management Program.

Program, Team and Staff Management

• Lead and supervise a team of professionals, providing direction, coaching, and accountability to ensure high performance and successful delivery of program goals.
• Provide oversight for projects and initiatives, ensuring effective execution and reporting
• Nurture a collaborative, strategic, and productive work environment, within the team, across the Program, and with partners.

Advance Program Goals

• Protect public health and environmental quality by reducing threats posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials across King County.
• Advance racial equity and environmental justice by ensuring all communities, especially those disproportionately impacted by hazardous materials exposure are protected.
• Prevent hazardous waste generation with upstream solutions by encouraging safer alternatives, reducing reliance on toxic products, and systems change.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Progressive leadership experience in public sector policy, program, and project management, with increasing responsibility and proven results.
• At least 3 years of proven leadership experience successfully leading teams and supervising professional staff to achieve results.
• Demonstrated public sector policy experience in analysis, development, engagement, and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience with public sector entities, regulatory environments, governance, and elected officials.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience embedding equity and social justice principles and practices in policy, as well as team and program management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to interpret, craft, and present complex information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, diverse stakeholders, and multi-disciplinary teams.

Competencies You Bring:

• 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.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

It Would Be Nice If You Also Bring:

• Hands-on experience advancing proposals through the legislative processes.
• Experience addressing toxic materials and their effect on environmental and human health.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details:
The Hazardous Waste Management Program's Policy and Planning 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 St, Seattle, WA 98104). The frequency of in-person presence is guided by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly.

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.
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 responsible during scheduled work hours.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is non-represented.

Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated 1-year duration with the possibility of being extended. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, 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
• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Your resume should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter (Your cover letter should detail your background and what you can bring to this position and will be used in the screening process)

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Calvin Rivers at 206-263-1986 or crivers@kingcounty.gov

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: 1/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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