Permit Review Engineer III (Engineer III)

In order to hire and maintain a quality workforce that reflects the diversity of the community and works well within our True North values-based organization, the Department of Local Services, Permitting Division is accepting applications for the career-service position of Permit Review Engineer III (Engineer III). 

This role will produce timely, accurate, quality reviews and approvals of building and site development. Working in a collaborative manner, Engineer III's work with a higher degree of independence. They apply their years of engineering and project management experience to review a variety of permit types ranging from single-family projects, forest practices, clearing/grading to complex Plat projects, floodplains, but may work more often on complex high profile, and/or time-sensitive projects. An essential part of the job is to work in a positive, solution-oriented manner with customers and their design/engineering professionals, members of the public, and colleagues.

About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.

To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work.  Our commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose.  Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Provide review of forestry applications and coordination with county and state agencies. 
• Conduct final quality control review of development applications for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.     
• Work cooperatively with others in the division and other partner agencies to resolve permit- and process-related issues, including those related to compliance with King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual.     
• Participate in pre-construction meetings, inspect the construction, maintenance, and compliance of specific projects.
• Participate in the analysis, interpretation, and application of relevant federal, State, and local, laws and regulations.
• Review development applications independently for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.     
• Read and locate legal descriptions of property and easements.     
• Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent.     
• Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.     
• Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.     
• Approve plans and specifications for construction in consultation with higher level staff.
• Act as project manager for assigned projects. Initiate and/or review and approve revisions for assigned projects in consultation with higher level staff. 
• Model and apply equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.     
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering; Forestry Management or any equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating knowledge of engineering principles and site design such as surface water hydrology, soils, traffic, structural, survey, and road geometrics.     
• Advanced knowledge of functional discipline of engineering.           
• Advanced policy and code analysis and development     
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques and principles     
• Proficiency in analytical thinking, problem solving, resolving conflicts, and bringing others to consensus.     
• Ability to convey technical information to the public, government agencies, engineering and environmental consultants, and developers.     
• Experience in the interpretation and application of the King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual, or similar or equivalent standard/manuals.
• Experience in using common desktop tools, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office suite: Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.           
• Demonstrated competence in applying advanced project management principles and practices.     
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including staff training and presentations.     
• Skill in providing excellent customer service.     
• Skill in handling multiple competing and changing priorities while producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.     
• Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.     
• Ability to research and interpret applicable codes, policies, and regulations.     
• Ability to use engineering software to analyze proposals.  
• Experience either designing or reviewing civil engineering plans for code compliance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional License in Civil Engineering, and/or Engineer in Training.     
• Experience in local government permit processing and regulations, or experience in roadway and storm water design and construction.
• Experience in forest practice reviews and clearing and grading permits.    
• Experience with Blue Beam (Revu 2018 extreme) or similar versions.           
• Experience with HEC-RAS, MGS Flood and GIS programs. 

Necessary Special Requirements:

• An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle throughout the county.
• Must have the ability to work in the field in difficult terrain.

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview the week of March 31, 2025. 

If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual interview the week of April 7, 2025.

This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months, including career service, short-term temporary (STT), term-limited temporary (TLT) and/or special duty assignment (SDA) opportunities for current King County career service employees who have passed their probationary period.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.

Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:  

Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

Union Membership:  PROTEC17 
 
Work Location:
This is a hybrid position. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position may include regular and ongoing in-office work involving in person customer service in accordance with the division's available customer service options.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Your primary onsite workspace will be at 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton, WA 98057.

Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.  
  
Forbes recently 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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Vivienne Swai, HR Analyst, by email at vswai@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-477-1538.

Salary : $52 - $66