Senior Public Involvement Outreach Specialist

JOB This posting is open to all qualified candidates. If you want to use your communication skills to help people make informed decisions about the infrastructure and services that affect their lives, the Wastewater Treatment Division's (WTD) Community Services group looks forward to meeting you. Our work centers on building understanding, supporting transparency, and ensuring the public has the information they need to engage meaningfully with our projects and operations, even when faced with community opposition. We collaborate across the division to communicate clearly, anticipate concerns, and provide accurate, accessible information. We adapt our approach to meet the needs of diverse audiences and value the perspectives that different communities bring. As a member of WTD's Community Services unit, you will support all aspects of the division's work by helping the public understand our infrastructure projects, operations, and services. You will provide timely, clear information so individuals, businesses, and communities can offer informed input and understand how decisions may affect them. This position supports WTD operations, Executive priorities, and complex multidisciplinary capital projects, planning efforts, and programs. You will also support incident response efforts that focus on protecting the public from sewage spills or other unexpected dangers related to an emergency. About the

Role:

We are recruiting for two (2) Senior Public Involvement Outreach Specialist (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager

III - WQPPM III

) positions. The successful candidates will plan, manage, and provide field communications and public outreach support for multiple concurrent projects to build or improve large infrastructure facilities, such as pipes, pump stations, and underground storage tanks. They will support projects in the planning, design, and construction phases. Established guidelines or processes may not exist and need to be developed to successfully support complex work. The successful candidates will interact with community members directly affected by construction projects. They will be expected to use diplomacy and tact when working with upset individuals or when facing public opposition in order to gain acceptance of the division's work. They will be expected to engage all communities equitably, and will support emergency incidents such as sewer overflows by being available 24 hours a day every five to six weeks on a rotating basis. In this capacity, they will provide field support to protect public health and safety during sewage spills or unplanned repairs of the regional wastewater system. About the

Team:

The Community Services unit advances the values of King County and the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) by protecting public health and the environment and providing equitable, inclusive services to residents and businesses across King County. To our agency, success means clean water. It means keeping a promise to the next generation that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. 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 Senior Public Involvement Outreach Specialist (WQPPM III), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity. 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.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

What You Will Be Doing:

Gain public acceptance for impactful construction projects that plan, build, repair or maintain wastewater treatment facilities. This could include treatment plants, large pipes, pump stations and other underground infrastructure for WTD's Capital Improvement Program. Develop, manage, and implement public involvement plans for projects that may face opposition or controversy. Navigate ambiguous environments and develop guidelines where none exist to share information and build community understanding and support for WTD's work. Effectively communicate and coordinate with interdisciplinary project teams on complex infrastructure projects. Work collaboratively with project and construction managers, engineers, finance and contracting specialists, permitting, environmental leads, and real property experts to meet project objectives and division goals. Represent WTD at public events, briefings and in one-on-one venues. Support WTD projects by working directly with interested community members to reduce risks and advance opportunities for WTD's Capital Improvement Program. Provide planning, assessment, and advocacy for equity and social justice opportunities on WTD capital projects and plans using County equity assessment tools. Support the community relations elements of the Wastewater Treatment Division incident response program, which requires night and weekend availability on a rotating basis. Duties could include safely moving through industrial and construction sites and driving metal fence posts into the ground to close off public spaces affected by incidents.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Working Conditions:

Work Location :

The Community Services 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. 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 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 Technical Employees Association (TEA).

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 a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews. 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. Who to

Contact:

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Rodney Dungo, HR Analyst at rdungo@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.