Treatment Planning – Program Manager

Job Description:

Treatment Planning – Program Manager

Description

Summary

Shape the Future of Water Quality in King County

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking a passionate and strategic Program Manager to lead the Treatment Planning Program - the team responsible for charting the course for future expansion and upgrades to our region’s wastewater treatment plants. This position is a unique opportunity to be on the forefront of planning the policies and capital projects that will protect public health, improve water quality, and ensure responsible environmental stewardship for generations to come.

As a senior leader within the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group, you’ll guide strategic planning efforts, coordinate across technical disciplines, and play a pivotal role in developing both short- and long-range plans to prepare the treatment system for population growth and to meet evolving environmental regulations. You’ll collaborate with and guide a dynamic, high-performing team and influence decisions that will shape regional water quality for decades.

This is an opportunity to:

• Contribute to clean water and community well-being through public service.
• Lead strategic planning that drives major infrastructure investments.
• Address complex, meaningful issues impacting Puget Sound, the environment, and public health.
• Work alongside a diverse, collaborative, and passionate team.

If you’re ready to help shape the roadmap for water quality in King County - and are driven by big-picture thinking, strategic planning, and the chance to make a lasting impact on public health, equity, and the environment - this role offers the opportunity to lead meaningful work at the intersection of infrastructure and sustainability.

For more information on the Treatment Planning Program check out:

• https://kingcountywtd.com/2022/01/24/planning-ahead-to-treat-wastewater/ and
• https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/treatment-planning

About the Role:
As Program Manager for the Treatment Planning Program, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our regional wastewater system. This position guides a team of talented professionals who are tackling some of the most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges of our time - ensuring our five treatment plants meet growing capacity needs and evolving regulatory requirements, while considering climate impacts and adaptation, equity and social justice, resource recovery (recycled water, biosolids, biogas, energy) needs and opportunities, management of aging infrastructure, cost and affordability, and component agency priorities.

In this role, you will:

• Drive major planning efforts, such as the Long-term Treatment Plan to provide a roadmap to guide treatment capital investments for decades to come.
• Address critical regulatory challenges, including nutrient reduction , NPDES permit compliance, and contaminants of emerging concern (such as PFAS), ensuring public health and environmental protection.
• Lead treatment process studies to improve and optimize treatment operations.
• Support and incorporate resource recovery, exploring opportunities for recycled water, biosolids reuse, and energy production and reduction.

• Develop conceptual capital projects that progress into project delivery and drive large capital investments in wastewater infrastructure.

• Lead strategic planning processes and recommend policy, guiding division and County decision-making at the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and equity.
• Build strong partnerships with County teams, operations staff, consultants, and component agencies.

You will provide technical guidance, manage diverse teams, support junior and mid-level staff, and influence decisions that impact public health, environmental protection, and regional growth. With large-scale capital projects, evolving regulations, and complex, completing needs on the horizon, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the region’s infrastructure and water quality.

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

About the Team:

The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group is part of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s Planning and Project Delivery Section, a dynamic team of over 250 professionals responsible for delivering nearly $500 million in capital projects this year - and projected to grow to over $1 billion annually by the end of the decade. Our group plays a critical role at the forefront of this work, identifying and developing future projects and guiding strategic decision-making for major investments in the region’s wastewater system. The work we do has a lasting impact on public health, water quality, and the environment in the Puget Sound region, both now and for generations to come.

Our Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning team embodies the values of adaptability, collaboration, equity, excellence, leadership, and respect, fully supporting the Wastewater Treatment Division’s mission of environmental stewardship, quality of service, and financial accountability. Team members are empowered to communicate effectively, learn and grow from one another, and develop innovative solutions that advance both environmental sustainability and equity. By prioritizing equity and social justice, consistent with King County’s values, we strengthen our teams and ensure that all residents benefit from high-quality wastewater services and improved environmental outcomes.

Working in the Treatment and Separated Conveyance 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 Treatment Planning - 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 :

• Guide long-term, strategic planning initiatives: Lead a team in developing long-term plans, decision-making processes, recommended policy, and obtaining necessary approvals for implementation. Establish processes for engagement with senior leadership, elected officials, regulators, tribal interests, and/or the public.
• Lead planning and analysis: Oversee, coordinate, and execute plans, studies, technical analyses, cost estimates, and policy evaluations to assess technical concepts and recommend long-term treatment planning and policy decisions.
• Foster collaboration: Work closely and coordinate across divisions, sections, and agencies to integrate system needs, opportunities, and priorities with capacity and regulatory planning. Build strong relationships with county staff, leadership, local sewer agencies, regulators, and other interested parties.
• Prepare planning documentation: Lead or guide the creation of planning documents, technical reports, memos, presentations, and other materials that outline methods and strategies for long-term investment in treatment plants.
• Manage program work: Develop and track program work plans, scopes, budgets, and schedules. Provide guidance, direction, and support to program staff and consultants to ensure successful project delivery.
• Guide and lead a team: Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful team culture while providing mentorship, guidance, and clear direction to staff and consultants to support both individual growth and program success.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Professional work experience and/or education in planning, engineering, science, business administration, public administration, or a related field, with increasing responsibility for managing large and complex programs or projects.
• Knowledge of water, wastewater, science, or environmental management.
• Experience developing and leading strategic planning, decision-making processes, and policy analysis.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of program management and planning techniques, principles, and/or practices.
• Experience leading a team to accomplish a complex program or work.
• Experience leading or preparing a variety of types of documents, plans, memos, briefings, and/or summaries describing complex projects, programs, policies, or processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for synthesizing and conveying complex information to a variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
• Experience working 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.
• Strategic Mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• 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.
• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Knowledge of local government processes, public utility issues, policy, and/or communications.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
• Knowledge of and experience with project and/or contract management.

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.
  

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 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 )

• Technical interview - Virtual interviews will be held in March 2026
  
• P anel interview: Virtual interviews will be held in March - and April 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 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 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
• 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: 2/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$128,816.27 - $163,282.50 Annually