SummaryKing County’s Science and Technical Support Section in the Water and Land Resource Division (WLRD) has an exciting career opportunity for a person with skills and interest in leading and supporting a dynamic group of scientists. We are hiring a supervisor for the Water Quality and Quantity Unit, composed of approximately 13 staff specializing in limnology, oceanography, water quality, stream ecology, hydrogeology and groundwater, hydrology, and marine ecology. The person in this position reports to the Science Section Manager and will be focused on the success of unit staff and their projects and programs. Staff in this unit partner with the King County Environmental Lab to run novel, long-term water quality monitoring programs for  groundwater, rivers and streams, lakes, and Puget Sound. The Unit also provides scientific and technical support to multiple King County agencies, internal and external customers, and to policy-makers and senior management. These efforts facilitate evidence-based decisions to inform stormwater and wastewater management actions, as well as other environmental management topics.

The Science Section’s mission is to provide scientific knowledge, information, and analysis in support of regional environmental resource management. The Section employs 40 staff organized into three units with broad-ranging technical expertise in applied sciences: Water Quality and Quantity, Watershed and Ecological Assessment, and Toxicology and Contaminant Assessment. Together, these units play a critical role in providing scientific guidance for water and land management in a dynamic county home to 2.2 million people, a surging economy, and ESA-listed orcas, salmon, and steelhead. Our staff lead studies in applied environmental sciences, run monitoring programs, deliver specialized scientific and technical services, and inform evidence-based policies and regulations. We partner with other science agencies around Puget Sound, such as the Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Departement of Fish and Wildlife, Univeristy of Washington and others. Learn more at our website.

WHO MAY APPLY: This career service position is open to all qualified applicants.

King County and The Water and Land Resource Division values diverse perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED:

• A completed King County application form.
• Responses to two supplemental questions; your answers must not exceed the allowable word counts.
• A resume (max. 2 pages) including your career profile, education, work experience, qualifications, and areas of knowledge and/or skills.
• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining why this position excites you, how it aligns with your career plans, interests, and values, and what strengths you offer.

Job Duties

• Supervise and empower the daily operations of a team of water quality scientists, planners, and engineers in support of the environmental missions of King County. Sustain enthusiasm in and devotion to the team.
• Prepare and implement work plans, balance work load, establish and communicate performance expectations, and provide staff with necessary resources for success.
• Manage hiring, promote career development, ensure and appraise performance, implement pro-equity practices, and address conflicts and disciplinary issues.
• Develop and manage the Unit’s budget: estimate costs, monitor, and control expenditures for consistency with adopted biennial budgets.
• Provide technical expertise and manage scope, schedule, and budget for deliverables and services (e.g., reports, memos, sampling plans) to meet clients’ expectations.
• Work with other government and regulatory agencies, external clients, clients within the County, elected officials, and senior management to address environmental policies.
• Assist staff in developing formal agreements and contracts with agencies and consultants to ensure they are executed to meet agreed-upon expectations.
• Work on the Section leadership team and coordinate with the King County Environmental Lab, internal and external client agencies, senior management, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public.
• Foster an equitable and socially-just workplace and apply King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan.
• Engage in continuous improvement focused on process improvements to reduce wasted effort and increased efficiencies.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsThe most competitive applicants will have the following:

• Experience in supervising/managing interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating proficiency in creating community and shared vision among team members, and motivating them to action.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others at all levels of an organization using active listening, settling disputes respectfully, reaching equitable agreements, finding common ground, and maintaining strong relationships.
• Technical knowledge in multiple relevant fields of study, with education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas; water quality, marine and/or freshwater monitoring, limnology, oceanography, hydrology, hydrogeology.
• Demonstrated ability to manage interdisciplinary environmental studies, projects, and/or programs, including delegating tasks, establishing clear expectations, ensuring productivity, supporting others’ autonomy and well-being, and celebrating their successes.
• Expertise managing scope, schedule, and budget to meet requirements for quality, timeliness, and cost, resulting in excellent client service.
• Ability to strategically prioritize competing tasks, programs, and/or projects, and make sound decisions in the midst of uncertainty, risk, and disagreement.
• Proficiency in communicating ideas and evidence verbally, visually, and in writing so they are accurate, easy to understand, and compelling.
• Proficiency in critical reviews of scientific methodologies and technical deliverables.
• Knowledge of the environmental challenges and water quality issues associated with stormwater management and/or wastewater operations, Washington State water quality criteria, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system requirements.

Supplemental InformationWORK SCHEDULE: 40 hour work week. This position is not overtime eligible.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work will be performed in an office environment in downtown Seattle with minimal exposure to safety and health hazards. Periodic visits to monitoring sites throughout King County, including sites on or near water, will occur. Attendance at evening and weekend meetings will occasionally be required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel throughout the County in a timely manner.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is not represented by a union.

CONTACT:  For questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Calvin Rivers, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Calvin.Rivers@kingcounty.gov
206-263-1986