Wastewater Utility Planner - Treatment

About the Role:
The individual in the Wastewater Utility Planner-Treatment/Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II role will serve as a mid-level planner, primarily working in the Treatment Planning Program. The individual in this role will work as part of a highly collaborative team to account for population growth, climate change, existing and changing regulatory requirements, resource recovery (recycled water, biosolids, etc.) needs and opportunities, sewer rate affordability, equity and social justice, sustainability, interests of component agencies and partners, and resiliency in the Wastewater Treatment Division’s future. This position supports senior planners and program managers in developing technical information and documentation for key decision makers.
The Wastewater Utility Planner-Treatment/Water Quality Planner/Project Manager II is a critical partner in developing processes and deliverables that guide decision-making for large investments in the region’s wastewater system. This work has a lasting impact on the people, environment, public health, and water quality of the Puget Sound region now and for decades to come. In addition, highlights of working within the planning groups include:

• Highly collaborative and supportive colleagues
• Opportunities for professional growth and continued learning
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities to work independently and as a team member

Cross-divisional collaboration with staff from all other work units, including operations

About the Team:

The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group is one of two long-term planning groups at the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) that works to identify and plan for policies, conceptual capital projects, and funding needed to clean water and protect public health and the environment for decades to come. Our group works across WTD to collaborate on and inform key strategic decisions for WTD’s wastewater treatment plants and its conveyance system. This planning work helps to: 

• answer challenging questions and inform division priorities,
• create roadmaps for WTD to implement its vision, and 
• ensure that WTD is successful in providing equitable and affordable wastewater services into the future. 

The Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning Group, specifically focuses on planning for:

• Treatment plant capacity to accommodate population growth,
• Level of treatment to meet existing and future regulations,
• Pipe and pump capacity for the separated conveyance system, and
• Reducing infiltration and inflow into the sewer system

while considering climate impacts and adaptation, equity and social justice, resource recovery (recycled water, Loop®, biogas) needs and opportunities, management of aging infrastructure, cost and affordability, and more.

More information on the programs within the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group can be found here:

• Treatment Planning Program: 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 

Separated Conveyance Planning Program: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/conveyance-system-improvement and https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/programs/infiltration-inflow

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 WQPPM II, 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.What You Will Be Doing:

• Assist in the development of various technical and policy components of WTD’s treatment planning.
• Review initiatives, plans, regulations, policies, technical studies, and documents for impacts on WTD’s treatment system.
• Assist in the coordination, development, and/or execution of various types of planning processes, decision making roadmaps, research, technical, costing, and policy analyses, such as treatment options, benefit/costs analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, and data statistical analyses to evaluate technical concepts and recommend policies and decisions for various planning programs to inform decision making processes.
• Coordinate with other units and staff within WTD to consider the nexus and context of other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to the treatment planning program.
• Draft and review written reports, memos, and other documents necessary to support treatment planning and inform decision making processes

Qualifications You Must Bring:   

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, environmental science, or closely related field OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience conducting planning, environmental review, research, and/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, including the general public, nongovernmental and nonprofit groups, other sewer utilities, agency leadership, and/or elected representatives.
• Experience and/or knowledge of project management, contract management, and/or team management techniques, principles, and practices.

Competencies You Bring:  

• Plans and Aligns - Sets objectives to align with broader organizational goals. Breaks down objectives into appropriate initiatives and actions. Stages activities with relevant milestones and schedules. Anticipates and adjusts effective contingency plans.
• Interpersonal Savvy- Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, culture, and geography. Acts with diplomacy and tact. Builds rapport in an open, friendly, and accepting way. Builds constructive relationships with people both similar and different to self. Picks up on interpersonal and group dynamics.
• Collaborates - Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.
• Action Oriented - Readily acts on challenges, without unnecessary planning. Identifies and seizes new opportunities. Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times. Steps up to handle tough issues.

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 treatment methods and processes.
• Knowledge of King County’s regional wastewater conveyance and treatment system.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, such as federal Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and/or Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit (PSNGP).
• Knowledge of local government processes, public utility issues, and communications.

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements, averaging once per month, usually at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA  98104) or at one of WTD's regional treatment plants. 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.  
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 Location: Remote/Onsite – King Street Center 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 or one of WTD's regional treatment plants.
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: This position is represented by The Technical Employees’ Association.
 
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value diverse perspectives, 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. Applications without the following required materials will not be considered for this position. 

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening. There will be a written examination following interviews.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:  Delores Venters - dventers@kingcounty.gov

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.

Salary : $93,392 - $118,394