Job Description

Posting number: 2026-28202

Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division: Wastewater Treatment

Job classification: Wastewater Project Resources Unit Manager (F9 : L117-WTD Section &Assist Mgr)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Natural Resources, Wastewater

Summary

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. External applicants are not being considered.

This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment position for up to 12 months in duration.

The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve in a Special Duty Assignment as the Portfolio Planning and Analysis Unit Manager. This position provides leadership for WTD’s centralized capital portfolio management function, helping the Division make sound, transparent, and data-informed decisions about its capital investments. The Unit Manager leads the Portfolio Planning and Analysis team, which manages WTD’s capital portfolio management framework, including project prioritization, resource planning, portfolio performance analysis and reporting, and portfolio management standards, processes, and policies. The position also plays a key role in managing WTD’s three-tier capital governance structure, ensuring capital decisions are clearly framed, supported by appropriate information and analysis, and routed to the appropriate decision-making level based on established authorities and decision rights.

About the Role:

The Unit Manager also leads the PRISM team, which manages the enterprise project information system supporting WTD’s capital projects, programs, and contracts. PRISM integrates financial, schedule, forecasting, appropriation, sustainability, compliance, and other project information to provide a consistent foundation for project management, portfolio oversight, and executive decision-making. Together, the Portfolio Planning and Analysis and PRISM teams connect strategy, governance, data, and capital delivery, providing leaders across WTD with the information needed to balance competing priorities and limited resources, monitor the health of the capital portfolio, and invest in the right projects and programs at the right time and for the right reasons.

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

About the Team:

The Portfolio Planning and Analysis (PPA) Unit provides leadership for WTD’s centralized capital portfolio management function, ensuring that investments are transparent, equitable, and aligned with the Division’s mission to protect public health and the environment. The Unit guides investment prioritization, resource planning, portfolio performance analysis and reporting, and the standards, processes, and policies that shape capital decision-making. The PPA Unit manages all capital portfolio categories, including: asset management for conveyance systems, asset management for treatment plants, capacity improvements, operational enhancements, regulatory compliance (including CSO), resource recovery, resiliency, and strategic opportunities.

The PPA Unit also oversees the PRISM enterprise project information system, which integrates financial, schedule, forecasting, appropriation, sustainability, compliance, and other project data to support consistent project management and portfolio oversight. Together, these functions connect strategy, governance, data, and capital delivery, giving WTD leaders the tools to balance competing priorities and limited resources, monitor the health of the capital portfolio, and invest in the right projects and programs at the right time.

The PPA Unit’s culture emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. The team is committed to equity in how capital decisions are framed and advanced, and recognizes the environmental impact of its work in shaping sustainable infrastructure for the region. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, the PPA Unit helps staff grow as leaders while ensuring that WTD’s capital portfolio reflects both community needs and organizational goals.

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Portfolio Planning & Analysis Unit 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.

Examples of duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Provide strategic portfolio leadership by overseeing WTD’s centralized capital portfolio management framework, ensuring investments are transparent, equitable, and aligned with public health and environmental goals.
• Guide portfolio governance and decision-making in conjunction with WTD’s three-tier capital governance boards, framing decisions with clear analysis, and ensuring appropriate processes are applied and documented.
• Lead portfolio planning and analysis functions including project prioritization, resource planning, portfolio performance reporting, and the development of portfolio standards, processes, and policies.
• Collaborate extensively with WTD’s Finance & Administration Section to align portfolio planning with rate and budget processes, ensuring capital investment decisions are financially sound, coordinated, and clearly connected to long-term affordability and sustainability goals.
• Serve on WTD’s Senior Leadership Team alongside all unit managers and plant managers, with the purpose of bringing senior leaders together to share critical information, discuss strategic opportunities and challenges, and foster alignment and collaboration across the organization in support of WTD’s mission, vision, values, goals, and strategies.

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• Ability to provide strategic portfolio leadership by overseeing a centralized capital portfolio management framework, ensuring investments are transparent, equitable, and aligned with public health and environmental goals.
• Ability to guide portfolio governance and decision-making in conjunction with multi-tier governance boards, framing decisions with clear analysis and ensuring appropriate processes are applied and documented.
• Ability to guide the PRISM enterprise project information system team, integrating financial, schedule, forecasting, appropriation, sustainability, compliance, and other project data to support consistent project management and portfolio oversight.
• Ability to serve effectively on a senior leadership team, fostering alignment, collaboration, and consistent strategies across the organization in support of WTD’s mission, vision, values, goals, and strategies.

Competencies You Bring:

• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strategic Portfolio Leadership - Ability to lead a centralized capital portfolio framework so investments are transparent, equitable, and aligned with public health and environmental goals.
• Governance and Decision Making - Ability to guide portfolio governance with multi-tier boards, using clear analysis and ensuring processes are applied and documented.
• PRISM Oversight - Ability to lead the PRISM team, integrating financial, schedule, forecasting, sustainability, compliance, and other project data to support consistent project management and portfolio oversight.
• Senior Leadership Collaboration - Ability to serve effectively on a senior leadership team, fostering alignment, collaboration, and consistent strategies across the organization in support of WTD’s mission, vision, values, and goals.

Supplemental information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Portfolio, Planning, & Analysis 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 business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. On occasion, you may need to work at other King County worksites, including WTD treatment plant locations including:
• West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle
• South Treatment Plant, 1200 Monster Road S.W., Renton
• Brightwater Treatment Plant, 22505 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville
• 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 Teamsters Local 117 – Wastewater Treatment Division, Managers and Assistant Managers Salary reflects $2.00 per hour contribution to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust.

Application Instructions:

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: (subject to change)

• Technical Vetting interview (Virtual): 12/01
• Panel interviews (Virtual): 12/03

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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

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.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Mark Workinger at Mworkinger@kingcounty.gov.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.