Wastewater Utility Planner

Summary

This opportunity is open to current King County employees.

We are not accepting external applications at this time.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Clean Water in King County

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future for our communities? King County Wastewater Treatment is seeking two Wastewater Utility Planners (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II) to help shape the next generation of regional water infrastructure. These positions sit within our Combined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning groups, teams that are at the forefront of planning the upgrades and investments needed to keep our regional sewer system reliable, resilient, and environmentally sound for decades to come.

These positions offer an opportunity to influence how the region meets evolving environmental regulations and maintains the health of Puget Sound. You will work alongside a talented team of planners on complex, meaningful projects that directly protect public health and improve water quality. The work provides technical challenges and interdisciplinary collaboration while offering fulfilling long-term impact and exceptional growth potential. You’ll gain experience in strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and interagency coordination - skills that position you for advancement within one of the nation’s most forward-thinking wastewater utilities. Whether your interests lie in policy, project management, or environmental systems planning, you’ll have the chance to help set the direction for the future of clean water in our region.

About the Role:

As a Wastewater Utility Planner (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II), you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of King County’s regional wastewater system, supporting essential infrastructure that protects public health, safeguards our waterways, and advances environmental equity across our communities.

These two positions are within the Combined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning groups, where you’ll help chart both short- and long-range plans for upgrading and renewing critical infrastructure. One position will help the County plan treatment plant improvements to expand capacity and meet current and future regulatory requirements. The other position will help the County update its comprehensive sewer plan, the Regional Wastewater Services Plan.

You will collaborate across disciplines, working closely with engineers, scientists, consultants, and community partners, to develop conceptual capital projects that will drive billions of dollars in future investment. Your contributions will directly influence how the County delivers reliable, sustainable wastewater services for generations to come.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and is motivated by complex planning challenges that have real-world impact. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your technical and analytical skills while supporting King County’s commitment to innovation, equity, and environmental stewardship. Work is performed in a hybrid environment with a balance of remote collaboration and onsite engagement.

This position follows a hybrid work model.

About the Team:

The Combined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Groups serve a critical role at the leading edge of Wastewater Treatment’s capital delivery pipeline by identifying future projects that help to shape the future of the region’s wastewater system. Wastewater Treatment’s capital delivery program has over 250 employees, is on track to deliver nearly $600M in capital projects this year and is anticipated to expand to deliver over $1B per year by the end of the decade. Our work within the Planning Groups guides major investments that improve public health and protect water quality and the environment in the Puget Sound region for decades to come.

Our teams value adaptability and collaboration and we’re committed to solutions that reflect King County’s priorities for environmental stewardship, quality of service, social equity, and financial accountability. Our team members are empowered to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn and grow from each other, and drive innovative approaches to complex challenges.

Highlights of working with us include:

• Supportive, collaborative colleagues
• Professional growth and learning opportunities
• Flexible schedules and work arrangements
• A mix of independent and team-based work

As strategic partners in planning and project delivery, our staff help guide major decisions that strengthen King County’s wastewater system now and for the future.

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With about 1000 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 partner with regulatory agencies 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.

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 Wastewater Utility Planner, 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:

• Review initiatives, plans, regulations, policies, technical studies, and documents for impacts on the conveyance and treatment system.
  
• Assist in the coordination and development of various types of planning processes and documents, including but not limited project cost estimates, policy analyses, cost/benefit analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, data analyses, and technology reviews.
  
• Coordinate with other units within Wastewater Treatment to consider and incorporate other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to various planning programs.
  
• Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity, as described in the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, into planning programs and projects.
  
• Prepare written reports, memos, presentations, spreadsheets, and other documents necessary to support various planning programs and inform decision making processes.
  
• Support project teams by managing SharePoint sites, documents, notes, decision logs, etc.
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Experience conducting public-sector planning, engineering, environmental science, public administration, environmental review, research, or policy analysis.
• Experience reviewing, evaluating the feasibility of, and drawing logical conclusions from technical studies, plans, policies, or research findings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
• Experience and/or knowledge of project management, contract management, and/or team management techniques, principles, and/or practices.

Competencies You Bring:

• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience and/or knowledge of planning techniques, principles, and practices to develop plans and solutions for complex projects
• Knowledge of wastewater conveyance and/or treatment methods and techniques
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Work Location: TheCombined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning teams work 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.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace 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 full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible
Union Representation: Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) - Wastewater Treatment Division

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 one or more panel interviews.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment:

• Panel interviews (Virtual): Week of April 6

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Mark Workinger at Mworkinger@kingcounty.gov.

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube and our WTD Blog .

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: 3/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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