Summary
The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section of the Solid Waste Division (SWD) is recruiting for an enthusiastic team player to provide recycling subject matter expertise and technical assistance to Cities and Division staff and contribute to other special projects to support healthy, safe, and thriving communities in a waste-free King County. This is a career service position in the Project/Program Manager III classification.
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community and create lasting impacts that benefit King County and the environment. You will help drive innovative and strategic efforts that promote safety, human, and environmental health, inclusive and equitable practices, and the zero-waste vision for King County. As part of this team, you'll contribute to positive institutional changes that enhance public service and deliver greater benefits to the community.
About this Role:
This role will be managing the planning, development, and execution of a technical assistance program to assist Cities with implementing actions and programs that support Re+ Strategic Plan goals. This position will work closely with the SWD Government Relations team and partner cities to develop a 2025 work plan. The work will include technical assistance per each city's needs, such as exploring opportunities for food waste prevention and diversion, downstream due diligence regarding recyclables, grant writing, sustainable purchasing, assisting with hauler contract language, and policy development and implementation. Additionally, it will support hauler engagement by providing guidance on best practices, fostering collaboration on waste reduction initiatives, and ensuring alignment with regional goals. The position also serves as a recycling subject matter expert (SME), coordinates a quarterly city Recycling Coordinators work group, and is a recycling resource for the Division's recycling outreach. Work is performed independently and in close coordination with other program managers and the RES Supervisor/Manager. This work directly delivers elements of the Solid Waste Division Re+ Plan and the 2020 King County Strategic Climate Action Plan and plays an important role in helping deliver plans and programs that will move the region to a more circular, low-carbon and equitable future for all.
About the Team:
The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that services the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County. KCSWD is the lead King County agency for delivering the Zero Waste of Resources goal for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%. KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.
The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section leads the Division's efforts on prevention, reuse, recycling, product stewardship/EPR, policy, market development, environmental stewardship, the circular economy, green building, household hazardous waste collection, school education, grant program management, and resource recovery, waste stream integrity and several compliance programs including waste stream compliance and enforcement.
Opportunity to Learn More: We invite you to join an MS Teams Meeting Open House to learn more about this position. A current RES Section Manager will be available to describe the work culture and job duties and there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. We will hold this event on Monday, December 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To participate in the meeting, Join the meeting now. To join audio-only, please dial 425-653-6586 and use the Meeting ID: 112 522 914#
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 the Re+ Cities and Partners 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 Solid Waste Divisionof the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. 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 De Doing:
- Assist King County cities in the implementation of the Re+ initiative. Examples of such assistance may include:
- Collaborating with County Government Relations staff and Cities to support the development and implementation of policies aligned with Re+ goals
- Assisting in strategies to further reduce and divert food waste from landfill
- Assisting in developing language for hauler contracts to ensure downstream due diligence of recyclables and organics, and to promote harmonized recycling and organics collection services across King County
- Coordinating with RES grants staff on the implementation of Re+ City Competitive Grants and City Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants
- Supporting the integration of racial equity considerations into city solid waste policy initiatives
- Plan and facilitate city Recycling Coordinator meetings
- Serve as a recycling subject matter expert for community education and outreach materials
- Support SWD staff on recycling education and training
- Track MRF performance and data regarding contamination, residuals, and end markets
- Meet with haulers to determine the ultimate destination for recyclables in King County.
- Assist King County cities in the implementation of the Re+ initiative. Examples of such assistance may include:
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:
- Demonstrated experience and skill working with cities and other municipal partners providing support and technical assistance on environmental issues including garbage and recycling, climate, circular economy, market development, or product stewardship
- Expertise in/willingness to learn State and County solid waste and recycling regulations and garbage, recycling, and organics collection systems.
- Experience in developing public policies to support the advancement of environmental goals.
- Ability to represent SWD on recycling-related subjects in meetings with advisory groups and other public forums.
- Ability to apply equity and social justice practices to work items, and familiarity with the King County Equity Impact Review process.
- Demonstrated skills in managing projects involving multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams and developing effective networks to accomplish program goals and achieve results within specified deadlines.
- Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and partnerships with a variety of partners, program managers, stakeholders, and interest groups, including various County and/or State agencies, organizations, and associations.
Competencies You Bring:
- Racially Just - Ability to apply anti-racist and Equity, Social, and Racial Justice principles at work
- Instills Trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
- Builds Networks - Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization
- Action Oriented - Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm
- Drives Engagement - Able to create a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
- Effective Communication - Able to adapt approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations
- Collaborates - Skilled in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Customer Focus - Skilled in building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
- Optimizes Work Processes - Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement
It Would be Great if You Also Bring:
- Proven experience delivering technical assistance to solid waste staff from city and state agencies, or privately-owned hauling companies, on environmental initiatives, grants, and special projects.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
- Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically monthly. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision.
- Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance of King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
- Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
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.
A complete application is required. To apply, submit a Complete Application and cover letter. A Resume is highly recommended but is optional. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Prakash Meloottu at prakash.meloot@kingcounty.govDiscover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out atFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
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 Americans 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.