Basin Steward (Project/Program Manager III)
- Summary
Why This is a Great Opportunity: If you like to combine your technical know-how with rich community engagement and partnership building, these positions are for you! Basin stewards are 'connectors' in their assigned geographies. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with numerous county divisions and departments, partner jurisdictions, community organizations as well as individual landowners and residents. Basin stewards get to see the fruits of their labor on the ground through successful acquisitions of open space, completed habitat restoration projects, and direct engagement with the communities they serve.
Why It's a Great Team: The Water & Land Resources Division (WLRD) delivers a diverse portfolio of environmental services, including stormwater management, salmon recovery, flood risk management, noxious weed removal and supporting agriculture and forestry. All of these functions are supported by a top-notch science section and a property acquisition unit. This portfolio puts the WLRD at the center of key initiatives launched by the county Executive, including Clean Water Healthy Habitat, and the Land Conservation Initiative. The work we do is diverse, stimulating and at the forefront of addressing today's environmental challenges.
Who is Eligible: This posting will be used to fill two (2) career service positions: Duwamish Steward and Lower Green Steward. Both positions are open to the public.
Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with these positions will be performed predominantly by teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
Work Location: Predominantly teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104.
Work Schedule: These positions are exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and are not overtime eligible. These full-time positions work a 40-hour work week. Attendance at evening and weekend meetings is occasionally required.- Job Duties
- Serve as a networker and convenor among internal and external partners to help prioritize and align environmental programs and actions in the Duwamish basin.
- Build relationships with community groups actively engaging underserved communities in the service area.
- Coordinate the implementation of capital improvement projects related to salmon recovery and water quality improvement. Includes prioritizing projects, working with landowners to secure property access, preparing grant applications and managing grants, and coordinating with internal and external project partners.
- For Duwamish Basin Steward: Coordinate regularly with key partners, such as the Green Duwamish Watershed Ecosystem Forum (WRIA 9), and members of the Duwamish Basin Management Team, which includes King County, City of Seattle, City of Tukwila, and the Port of Seattle.
- For Lower Green Basin Steward: Coordinate regularly with key partners, such as the cities of Tukwila, Kent and Auburn; the WRIA 9; the King County Flood Control District; and community organizations.
- Work collaboratively with partners in the urban unincorporated areas of North Highline and Skyway to increase access to open space, urban canopy cover, and restored habitat.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
The Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:
- Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Balances Stakeholders: Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
- Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
- Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
- Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.
- Demonstrated history of effectively working with a diverse range of jurisdictions, agencies, businesses, and organizations, and a proven ability to develop and maintain partnerships to cooperatively manage natural resources.
- Bachelor's degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties as described.
- Familiarity with or background in natural resource management, salmon habitat protection and restoration, and working knowledge of aquatic and riparian habitat, critical areas and associated regulations (although the position itself is non-regulatory).
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a complex work program, including coordination of multiple projects and tasks with differing timelines.
- Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity and social justice principles, and environmental justice.
- Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and experience with giving presentations and meeting facilitation.
- Master's degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences, community affairs, communications, political science, or a related field.
- Community organizing, outreach and engagement experience, particularly with underserved, and racially, economically, and socially diverse communities.
- Familiarity with the Green/Duwamish watershed and adjacent communities.
- Experience working with tribal governments.
- Experience with engaging residents, businesses, and property owners to implement best practices, such as riparian revegetation and green stormwater infrastructure solutions.
- Direct experience in salmon recovery, preferably in Puget Sound.
- Multi-lingual proficiency, particularly Spanish.
- Experience in property acquisition for a public agency.
- A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
- Ability to travel throughout King County and Puget Sound as necessary.
- Supplemental Information
Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County application
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
- Response to supplemental questions
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Deena Prasad, Senior Human Resource Analyst
deprasad@kingcounty.gov
206-263-0101
Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.
Forbes recently 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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.
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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff03Describe your experience developing partnerships with diverse stakeholders to address a complex challenge. (500 words maximum)04Describe your experience providing technical assistance or presentations regarding habitat restoration or other natural resource management issues to non-technical persons, such as the general public, students, or elected officials. What are your keys to success when communicating with non-technical audiences? (500 words maximum)05Basin stewards must operate highly independently to be effective, while also coordinating with many internal and external partners. Describe your experience managing a program or project for which you were primarily responsible. How did you ensure that the needs and priorities of other partners helped, rather than hindered, your progress? (500 words maximum)Required Question