This posting is open to all qualified candidates.
This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II in the following 6 months.

The Resource Recovery unit of WTD strives to bring valuable resources, technology, and sound business practices together to deliver products and programs that inspire our customers to be part of an environmentally sustainable future. 

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking team at the forefront of sustainable resource recovery. As part of King County's nationally recognized biosolids program, this role supports the transformation of wastewater into Loop-a valuable soil-building product used in agriculture and forestry for over 40 years. What sets this position apart is its blend of technical project management, public engagement, and innovation. You'll play a key role in advancing climate solutions by ensuring that biosolids are put to beneficial use rather than landfilled, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health across Washington state.

The team culture is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven. As part of the Renewable Products & Services work group within the Resource Recovery Unit, you'll be surrounded by professionals who value innovation, performance, and transformation. Whether you're managing environmental data, coordinating events, or exploring new markets like mine reclamation, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact while building your skills across communications, policy, and sustainability. This is a role for someone who wants to work on real-world environmental solutions-and be part of a team shaping the future of wastewater resource recovery.

The primary function of the Biosolids Project Manager (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II) role is to support King County's biosolids program through data management, reporting, outreach, and project coordination. This position helps ensure the safe and beneficial reuse of biosolids by managing quality tracking systems, producing key reports, supporting market development opportunities, and leading public engagement efforts.

The Renewable Products & Services work group within the Resource Recovery Unit includes the Recycled Water and Biosolids Programs. This position would serve in the Biosolids Program. Biosolids are organic matter that our treatment plants recover from untreated wastewater. Once biosolids leave the treatment plants, it is known by our product name, Loop.  For over 40 years, our forest and farm customers across Washington have used Loop to enrich their soil for improved tree growth and more robust crops. Loop is one of WTD's best products, and it's our job to ensure it reaches customers and that we continue to distribute it for beneficial use - keeping biosolids out of landfills. Loop is an important product for WTD because it helps ensure the balance of greenhouse gas emissions that help reduce our climate impact. Please see these videos for more information about our Loop product; how it is made, who we partner with, how it helps build soil, and why our customers love it: What is Loop? - Videos & Media | Loop Biosolids (loopforyoursoil.com).

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 900 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

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 Biosolids Project 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:

• Lead development and maintenance of environmental data tracking systems for biosolids quality and distribution to support regulatory reporting, internal decision-making, and customer transparency, in alignment with King County's resource recovery and climate goals.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate outreach initiatives and public engagement activities, including outreach and education at community events, presentations to community and professional groups, and public communications through newsletters and fact sheets.
• Conduct research and stakeholder outreach to explore new market opportunities for Loop biosolids-such as mine reclamation and community garden partnerships-by identifying contacts, assessing feasibility, and supporting strategic expansion initiatives.
• Contribute to the production and refinement of key planning and technical documents, including the Annual Biosolids Quality Report and Boulder Park Report, by analyzing data, updating charts and language, and ensuring compliance with environmental requirements.
• Serve as project team member and backup project manager across biosolids applications in forestry, agriculture, and transportation, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and ensuring timely completion of project deliverables in support of division priorities.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Knowledge of environmental and water quality planning principles and techniques, particularly in relation to wastewater, biosolids, or recycled materials management.
• Demonstrated skill in project planning and coordination, including the ability to lead or contribute to multi-disciplinary teams, manage timelines, and track deliverables across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing technical reports, developing outreach or educational materials, and presenting complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Experience using data to inform decisions, including maintaining databases or spreadsheets for environmental or resource recovery data tracking, and producing summary reports or visualizations.
• Ability to research, analyze, and interpret environmental policies, trends, or emerging opportunities, and translate findings into actionable strategies or recommendations.
• Familiarity with public engagement and stakeholder coordination, including event planning, public speaking, and responding to public inquiries or concerns.

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• 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.

• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel to field sites and event locations not served by public transit, as needed.

• Demonstrated experience preparing marketing, education, or outreach materials for environmental programs, including factsheets, newsletters, web content, or event displays.
• Experience coordinating public engagement efforts, such as staffing or managing outreach events, giving presentations, or facilitating stakeholder communications.
• Familiarity with biosolids, recycled water, or other resource recovery programs, including understanding their environmental benefits, regulatory frameworks, and public communication challenges.

• Must be able to perform occasional outdoor work in uneven terrain.

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically once a week.  The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly.  This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.  
  • Onsite locations could include Loop Truck Facility (North Bend), Snoqualmie Forest (Western Cascades), Boulder Park (Eastern Washington), Everett, King Street Center, and King County Treatment Plants.

• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, Monday-Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends to meet business needs.  This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions and is not overtime-eligible.   

• Union Representation: This position is represented by King County Technical Employees' Association (TEA) bargaining unit.

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter 
• Complete Supplemental Questions

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

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.