Wastewater Operations Manager



Wastewater Operations Manager

Salary

$158,766.40 - $202,363.20 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2023-18003

Department

DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division

Wastewater Treatment

Opening Date

02/22/2023

Closing Date

6/21/2023 9:03 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

F9 : L117-WTD Section &Assist Mgr

Summary

NOTE: The application period has now closed. Only Priority Placement Program participant applications will be added to the candidate pool.


This is an opportunity to serve the people that live, work, and play in King County by leading the operation of one of the largest wastewater systems on the west coast, where we clean 65 billion gallons of sewage and stormwater annually. You will be leading a unionized workforce of over 300 people that work every day to keep our three regional and two community wastewater plants, five combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment facilities, 400 miles of sewer pipelines, 25 regulator stations, 48 pump stations operating efficiently to clean our waters to protect our community’s health and the environment. You will be a participating member of the division’s leadership team, setting vision, goals, and strategies for the division.
 
You will lead the way through active engagement with staff to foster an anti-racist, pro-equity workplace where everyone can thrive, and work with division leadership to ensure services are equitably provided to the residents of King County. You will foster relationships, collaboration, and teamwork across the division so the division functions as “One King County.” As a member of the Asset Management Steering Committee, you will advocate for the division’s asset management needs, monitor and control our maintenance best practices program through key performance indicators, and actively support and improve the division’s asset management program. As a voting member of the division’s capital project oversight board, you will advocate for operations projects to ensure we are doing the right projects at the right time, for the right reasons to meet our level of service targets.
 
As a key leader in the organization, you will be responsible for effectively managing and communicating with staff, with fellow division leadership members, and with department and Executive leadership.
Our mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. The Wastewater Treatment Division employs over 700 people who plan, design, build, and operate treatment facilities. Our employees also enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharged to the system, and we educate the public and businesses on ways to protect water quality. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to future generations that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. 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. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.

Job Duties

  • Provide leadership in overall operation and administration of King County’s regional wastewater transmission, treatment, and reuse facilities; provide guidance for assigned staff on workplace policies, public services, and professional development; and manage the work of assigned staff. 
  • Ensure compliance with permits and regulatory reporting requirements for the operations of wastewater treatment plants and associated facilities; provide leadership, collaborating with the sections in complying with regulations; and establish and implement section policies and procedures. 
  • Oversee the evaluation, development, and implementation of treatment systems, operation and maintenance improvements utilizing new technology; monitor and stay up-to-date with current trends in the wastewater industry including legislation, science, safety, and professional practices and techniques; and recommend policy, procedural and equipment purchases and modifications. Direct the recycling of materials derived from wastewater processing.   
  • Participate with division leadership in managing relationships among various sections within the division; establish procedures and work with section teams to develop criteria, identify needs and priorities to plan, and implement systems’ improvement; and oversee daily work and budget processes.
  • Develop the section’s operations and maintenance annual budget; monitor and control funds to ensure budget meets projected expenditures; monitor capital portfolio, programs and projects; coordinate start-up of new and rebuilt facilities; and participate in planning plant and system expansions to meet future growth and new requirements.
  • Advocate for key organizational initiatives, values and priorities of King County and the Wastewater Treatment Division.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Politically savvy, well equipped with managerial courage, and the ability to incorporate conflict management and collaboration skills based on situational needs.
  • Organizationally agile to manage multiple complex programs and projects, get things done and understand the culture of the organization.
  • Skillfully maneuver in a political and highly unionized environment
  • Demonstrated supervision/management experience, with a well-developed, broad range of administrative, negotiation, facilitation, and management skills. 
  • Demonstrated experience effectively leading a diverse workforce that includes employees from multiple racial, ethnic, gender and ableness communities.
  • Experienced in managing programs, ensuring deliverables, managing tasks, and communicating results.  
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision, budget development, financial management employed in capital improvement and operating programs, policy implementation and governance.
  • Knowledge of human resources management techniques and principles, and the ability to utilize collaborative labor negotiation strategies and establish effective labor-management partnerships.
  • Skill in dispute resolution, effective decision-making, and team consensus building. 
  • Skill in working effectively with a diverse workforce and community population (internally and externally).
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills.
  • Ability to communicate diplomatically on sensitive issues.
  • Ability to manage a variety of programs and projects simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Wastewater Treatment Operator, Group IV certification (within 2 years of hire date).
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater systems management.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and systems operation.
  • Experience that demonstrates the ability to manage down to section staff, collaboratively across division leadership and up to department leadership and the Executive.
The Successful Candidate will have the following Competencies: 
  • Builds Effective Teams- Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspective to achieve common goals.
    • Forms teams with appropriate and diverse mix of styles, perspective, and experience. 
    • Establishes common objectives and a shared mindset.
    • Creates a feeling of belonging and strong team morale. Shares wins and rewards team efforts. 
    • Fosters open dialogue and collaboration among a diverse team.
  • Strategic Mindset- Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. 
    • Anticipates future trends and implications accurately. 
    • Readily poses future scenarios.
    • Articulates credible pictures and visions of possibilities that will create sustainable value. 
    • Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action.
  • Drives Vision and Purpose- Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action. 
    • Talks about future possibilities in a positive way. 
    • Creates milestones and symbols to rally support behind the vision.
    • Articulates the vision in a way everyone can relate to. 
    • Creates organization-wide energy and optimism for the future. 
    • Shows personal commitment to the vision.
  • Communicates Effectively– Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.  
    • Is effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, or among diverse styles and position levels. 
    • Attentively listens to others. 
    • Adjusts to fit the audience and the message. 
    • Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization.
    • Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
Working Conditions: Primarily work will be conducted on-site at plant locations, with occasional telecommuting, as influenced by business needs. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work Location: On-site at the West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Road S.W., Renton, and the Brightwater Treatment Plant 22505 State Route 9 S.E., Woodinville.  On occasion you will need to work at other County facilities.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. Monday through Friday.

Union Representation:  This position is represented by the Teamster, Local 117. Pursuant to Article 12.1 Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust $2.00 per hour from the base wage will be submitted to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund.

Application Instructions: 
This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:
Application screening will be continuous - First selection of candidates to move forward to interviews will begin the week of March 13th.
  • First round panel interviews are tentatively scheduled to begin the week of March 13th - March 24th.
  • Second round panel interviews are tentatively scheduled to begin the week of March 27th - April 7th. 
  • Meet and Greet Sessions for the top candidates are tentatively scheduled to begin the week of April 17th. 
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 viable 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
  • Responses to supplemental questions  
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, if you have questions related to this recruitment process, please contact at Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov

Supplemental Information

WHO ARE WE? 
WTD is 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. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.
 
About the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD): WTD protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. WTD includes over 700 employees across multiple facilities and serves 1.5 million people. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to another 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.
 
To learn more about the Wastewater Treatment Division click on the below links: 
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/About.aspx
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/About/Vision.aspx 
   
WHY WORK FOR KING COUNTY? 
King County was named "Best-in-State Employer" in the Forbes magazine 2019, ranking 16 on the list of best employers in Washington State, visit Awards given to King County to see more! King County's Investing in YOU initiative to build a workplace where ALL employees can thrive and become the nation's Best Run Government. Enjoy a balanced life with benefits that support you!
 
WHY IT'S WORTH TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT WORKING FOR KING COUNTY: 
http://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/why-work-here.aspx
 
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/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx 

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.

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
  • 12 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
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

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.

01
Were you contacted directly by DNRP recruiter Blake B. for this position? (Please note, this question is purely informational and will not be used in the selection process)
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are 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.
03
If 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 layoff

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404