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 Managerfor 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.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Develop, implement, and manage operational policies and procedures to improve efficiency, 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 processes 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 operationalize racial equity, environmental, and social justice principles and practices throughout operations and services.
  
  

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

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. 

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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