Deputy Program Manager

Summary

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.

King County Wastewater Treatment is seeking a Deputy Program Manager to help lead the update to the Regional Wastewater Services Plan. This update will set the direction for capital investments for the next three decades. This is an excellent opportunity to help King County navigate providing essential sewer services in a way that balances community interests, legal obligations, affordability, and changing conditions.
About the Role:

As the Deputy Program Manager for the team updating the Regional Wastewater Services Plan you will be responsible for

• Overseeing consultant activities, tracking overall project schedule, tracking deliverables, and acting in coordination with the program manager
• Coordinating and leading multi-section teams of subject manager experts responsible for developing technical information necessary to make informed decisions about policies guiding future capital investments
• Leading and preparing written reports, memos, and other documents necessary to support preparation of the draft and final Update to the Regional Wastewater Services Plan and inform decision making processes
• Assisting with coordination with various branches of King County government, other governments, and other interested parties
• Participating in decision-making processes for evaluating and recommending future policies and actions.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:

King County Wastewater Treatment’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound. Our regional wastewater treatment system serves about 2 million residents and an area of about 424 square miles in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. The system operates around the clock to sustain a healthy environment and support economic development that enables our region to flourish. Wastewater Treatment’s Planning and Project Delivery Section has over 250 employees, is on track to deliver nearly $500M in capital projects this year and is anticipated to deliver over $1B per year by the end of the decade. The Combined System and Utility Planning group within this section serves a critical role at the leading edge of the capital delivery pipeline by identifying future projects to be constructed.

Our Combined System and Utility Planning group develops short and long-range plans for upgrading the combined system, adapting to climate change, renewing and replacing aging assets, and updating the agency’s comprehensive sewer system plan. The Combined System and Utility Planning Group is committed to Wastewater Treatment’s core values of environmental stewardship, quality of service, and financial accountability. Team members are empowered to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn and grow from each other, and create innovative solutions. Our commitment to equity and social justice, consistent with King County’s values, makes our teams stronger and allows us to serve King County residents more effectively, especially related to environmental determinants of equity.

Working in the Combined System and Utility Planning Group offers:

• Highly collaborative and supportive colleagues
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning
• Flexible schedules and work arrangements
• A mix of independent and team-based work
• Cross-divisional collaboration with staff across operations and other work units

Our staff are critical strategic partners in shaping the processes and deliverables that guide major investment decisions, contributing directly to the long-term resilience and sustainability of King County’s wastewater system.
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 Deputy Program 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 :

• Lead large project teams across multiple disciplines to assess possible future policies and actions the agency might take under the policies.
• Oversee a large consultant team working on all aspects of the plan update.
• Help guide the team’s development, evaluation, and recommendation of long-term water quality improvement plans.
• 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 Asset Renewal and Replacement Planning Program.
• Manage program work plans, scopes, budgets, and schedules. Provide guidance, direction, and support to program staff and consultants to ensure successful project delivery.
• Prepare documentation necessary for evaluating future policies and actions and recommendations.
• Assist with coordination with other branches of King County government, other governments, and other interested parties.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Professional work experience and/or education in planning, engineering, public administration science, environmental science, or a related field, with increasing responsibility over time for managing large and complex programs or projects.
• Experience conducting, developing, or leading long-term public-sector planning, decision-making processes, and/or policy analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
• 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.

Competencies You Bring :

• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• 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 racists systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Knowledge of local government processes, public utility issues, and communications.
• Skill using graphic design software for creating communication materials.

Supplemental Information

Work Condition:

• Work Details: The Comprehensive 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 the business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is the collaboration space at King Street Center - 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 and other wastewater treatment facilities.
  
• 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 responsive during scheduled work hours.
  
• Work Schedule: 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 Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) - Wastewater Treatment Division.
  
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment / Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of 3 years. 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 internal King County employees only. 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.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment : (subject to change )

• P anel interview: Virtual interviews will be held late February 2026
  

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.

W ho to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@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.

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: 2/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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