Reporting to the Department Director, this position is responsible for leading land conservation, energy, climate, and local food programs along with helping to direct department policy and executive and council relations. The deputy assists the department director in business operations and capital project delivery to ensure efficient, effective, and accountable service delivery. This position requires strong interpersonal skills for interacting with government agencies, community organizations, residents and businesses.  

The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented and dynamic leader who will lead a diverse business organization with a commitment to excellence. Additionally, the Deputy Director will embrace innovation, problem solving and promote and incorporate Equity and Social Justice in the services provided by the department. The successful candidate will have key interactions with the department leadership team, King County Executive, and King County Council, as well as stakeholders such as cities, elected officials, and partnering organizations. 

About King County: 

The Puget Sound region is a vibrant area, offering an enriching quality of life that is valued by its residents and visitors.  It offers many natural areas, rivers, lakes and more, in addition to a strong economy. 
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King, Jr., King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It's a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers services and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of employee engagement, innovative thinking, continuous improvement, and equity and social justice. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race, gender, or income. All of these qualities make King County one of the nation's best places to live, work,  play, and learn. 

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package.  Some highlights include:  

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family 
• 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 members
• 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
• Onsite gyms and activity centers
• As an FLSA-exempt employee, the person in this position may be granted up to 10 days (80 hours) of paid executive leave each calendar year at the discretion of the director.

About the Department of Natural Resources and Parks: 

The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks works in support of sustainable and livable communities and a clean and healthy natural environment. Our mission is to foster environmental stewardship and strengthen communities by providing regional parks, protecting the region's water, air, land and natural habitats, and reducing, safely disposing of and creating resources from wastewater and solid waste.   

DNRP accomplishes its work through the Director's Office and its four divisions: Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment, and Water and Land Resources. The Department also provides leadership for the County's energy conservation, climate change, and clean water/healthy habitat initiatives in coordination with other departments and the Executive's Office.  

The Department Director's Office provides management and administrative support for the DNRP divisions and provides policy support to the Executive's Office and the divisions.  The Director's Office also manages Council relations for the Department.  Policy initiatives led by the Director's Office include the strategic climate action plan preparation and implementation, the land conservation initiative clean water/healthy habitat imitative, historic preservation, the local food initiative, and tribal relations, among other initiatives. The Director's Office also provides media relations support for our projects and initiatives and oversees the performance management system that informs our progress in accomplishing its mission.  

The Parks and Recreation Division manages more than 28,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 200 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry trails, and  a world-class aquatic center. Our mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities and recreation for King County residents. The King County Parks and Recreation Division is currently funded by a six-year property tax levy. 

The Solid Waste Division (SWD) promotes waste reduction and recycling programs and provides solid waste transfer and disposal services for all cities in King County except for Seattle and Milton. The system includes eight transfer stations, two rural drop boxes and the only operating landfill in King County.  A state-of-the-art landfill-gas-to-energy facility converts methane from the landfill into pipeline-quality natural gas. The Solid Waste Division is funded by disposal fees and charges. 

The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) protects and restores watersheds using the best available science, innovation, and collaborating with our partners and the community. WLRD manages stormwater, houses three salmon recovery forums, reduces flood hazards, acquires open space, monitors water quality, reduces toxics, controls noxious weeds, provides technical support for forestry and agriculture, and provides scientific and laboratory services to the County and partners throughout the region. WLRD is funded by rates and charges, property taxes and grants. 

The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) protects public health and water quality by providing wholesale wastewater treatment services to the region.  WTD continues to be on the cutting-edge of environmental protection by turning wastewater into useable resources, including energy, reclaimed water and biosolids for fertilizer. WTD is funded by rates and charges. 

Learn more about DNRP at https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp.aspx 

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates. 

Please Note: King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks values diverse perspectives and life experience and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and veterans. 

Forms and materials required: (1) A completed online King County application, (2) Resume, and (3) Cover Letter. 

Examples of job duties: 

• Provide strategic leadership to the Department.
• Collaborate with Department/County leadership.
• Champion County, Department and Division vision, mission, values, and culture.
• Lead efforts to solve problems and identify solutions.
• Create a positive work environment 
• Set strategic vision and leadership for employees and initiatives reporting to this position.
• Maintain and grow partnerships with private, public and non-profit organizations. 

Essential skills and attributes of the ideal candidate include: 

• Strong decision-making skills with a combined focus on vision and purpose; 
• Politically savvy leader with the ability to maneuver through complex political situations while remaining sensitive to how people and organizations function;  
• Managerial courage, and the ability to incorporate conflict management and collaboration skills based on situational needs; 
• Strategic agility in leading and directing a large, complex organization; ability to skillfully maneuver in a political and highly unionized environment;  
• Passion for creativity and inspiring innovation, continuous improvement, and efficiencies;  
• The ability to build effective teams and motivate others;  
• The ability to deal with ambiguity in a large, complex environment.  

Additional experience and desired skills include: 

• Management experience in a large governmental or private organization, with a well-developed, broad range of management skills.
• Experience managing in a geographically dispersed organization and unionized environment desired. 
• Ability to communicate diplomatically on politically sensitive issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A bachelor's degree in public, recreation or business administration, urban planning, environmental studies, engineering, architecture, or related field and working knowledge of governmental or large, complex organizational processes is desired.

In summary, the Deputy Director will quickly be able to recognize where the organization currently is and where it needs to go to ensure future success. The successful candidate will bring sound professional judgment, tact, courtesy, and integrity to this position. A dose of humility, appreciation for the contributions of all, and a passion for natural resources and parks.