Senior Wastewater Utility Planner

Senior Wastewater Utility Planner – King County, WA

Join as a senior planning professional within the Asset Renewal and Replacement Planning Program to shape the future of King County’s regional wastewater system.

King County Wastewater Treatment is seeking a Senior Wastewater Utility Planner to develop and maintain short‑ and long‑term capital plans for renewing and replacing aging wastewater infrastructure. The role supports King County’s mission to protect public health, the environment, and the economy by delivering timely, cost‑effective reinvestments in the system.

As a key member of the planning team, you will lead strategic initiatives, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and drive analytical work that informs policy and capital investment decisions across the utility.

• Drive major planning efforts, such as the Strategic Asset Management Plan and the Long‑Term Asset Renewal and Replacement Plan.
• Report on the status and progress of the planning program and asset renewal implementation.
• Lead technical analyses of asset‑management data to inform planning decisions.
• Develop conceptual capital projects that progress into project delivery and support large capital investments.
• Lead strategic planning processes, recommend policy, and guide decisions at the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and equity.
• Build strong partnerships with Wastewater Treatment programs, component agencies, and consultants.
• Prepare planning documentation, technical reports, memos, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Communicate program information effectively to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity into all program work.

• Professional experience or education in planning, engineering, science, business administration, public administration, or related field with increasing responsibility for large, complex programs or projects.
• Experience conducting or developing public‑sector long‑term planning.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of project, contract, and team management, and planning techniques and practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance, creating solutions where procedures are not yet established.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting complex data to support decision making.

• Manage complexity and synthesize contradictory information to solve problems.
• Plan and align work to meet organizational goals.
• Collaborate and build partnerships to meet shared objectives.
• Communicate effectively across multiple modes and audiences.
• Manage ambiguity and operate effectively when the way forward is unclear.

• Familiarity with King County’s wastewater system.
• Knowledge of asset management best practices.
• Understanding of wastewater conveyance and treatment methods and techniques.

• Hybrid work model: days in the office and telecommuting; ratio determined by business needs.
• Remote work allowed only for employees residing in Washington State within reasonable distance to King County worksites.
• Exempt from overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and not overtime eligible.
• Union representation:
  Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) – Wastewater Treatment Division.

We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, valuing diversity and inclusive perspectives. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the essential qualifications. Selected candidates may be invited to one or more panel interviews. The anticipated timeline is:

• Technical interview (virtual) – end of January 2026.
• Panel interview (virtual) – week of February 2026.

Required submission
:
Complete application, resume, cover letter, and responses to supplemental questions.

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and disability insurance (basic and optional upgrades).
• Retirement plans: pension and 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan.
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.
• 12 paid holidays plus two personal holidays.
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave; paid parental, family, medical, and volunteer leaves.
• Flexible Spending Account and wellness programs.
• On‑site activity centers and employee giving program.
• Training and career development programs.

For more information, contact Mark Workinger at mworkinger.

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.