Basin Planning & Portfolio Manager

Job Description:

Basin Planning & Portfolio Manager

Description

Summary

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.



Are you ready to join a dynamic, diverse, and driven team who step together toward challenges and who strive to continually improve processes and outcomes? We are a well-funded, mission-driven public service agency who work at the interface of risk-reduction/infrastructure-protection and habitat restoration along major rivers throughout King County. As a Basin Planning & Portfolio Manager you will have a chance to work on challenging river management and design projects in locations spanning from steep rivers of the Cascade Mountains to tidally influenced lowlands. These projects are a diverse and technically challenging body of work.

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future career service Project/Program Manager III positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.

About the Role:
The Basin Planning and Portfolio Manager (Project/Program Manager III) will use a combination of planning, management, analysis, coordination, and outreach with diverse groups in support of developing and implementing complex capital projects. The successful candidate will also lead and support basin-wide or project specific programmatic activities, such as real estate acquisitions, and be responsible for complex programs and projects using independent judgment with moderate supervision. This position will also support flood facility management, maintenance and repair, and the coordination and project management of the King County Flood Control District’s work program for the river basins, based on the actions described in the 2006 and 2013 King County Flood Hazard Management Plans and in the 6-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) plan for the Flood Control District.

This position will follow a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:
The Basin Planning and Portfolio Management Unit aims to develop basin-specific strategies, prioritize projects, manage capital investments, engage tribes and stakeholders, and ensure successful execution of flood risk reduction and habitat restoration initiatives, while fostering collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will work closely with ecologists, project managers, geologists, planners and other professionals, and will have the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with other county divisions and departments, regulatory agencies, tribes, community organizations as well as individual landowners and members of the public. The Strike Team is highly collaborative, hardworking, and welcomes diverse perspectives. We are looking for teammates who are ready to learn and contribute as part of a dynamic, innovative, and dedicated group.

The River and Floodplain Management Section, within the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) of King County, is a nationwide leader in integrated floodplain management. This approach involves using best available science to develop innovative strategies and solutions to reduce flood risks and improve river and environmental conditions across King County’s six major river systems (White, Green, Cedar, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish) as well other tributaries and floodplains. The River and Floodplain Management Section implements a diverse work program to reduce flood risks to the constituents of King County in a manner that restores river and floodplain processes, considers equitable outcomes in our work program, recognizes the impacts of future conditions related to climate change, and provides a collaborative and engaged professional environment where River and Floodplain Management Section staff can grow and thrive.

Who Are We?
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Basin Planning & Portfolio Manager , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Basin Planning and Risk Mitigation: Lead or collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement capital investment strategies, capital projects, assess floodplain dynamics, identify risks, engage with various stakeholders & tribes, and create risk mitigation plans for river systems and floodplains, including opportunities for habitat improvements and other multi-benefit outcomes.
• Portfolio Management: Lead or collaborate on efforts to prioritize projects based on risk assessments, potential benefits, and available resources in a comprehensive project portfolio by basin area that is aligned with strategic goals and regulatory requirements, involving the continuous evaluation and adaptation of the portfolio to changing conditions.
• Capital Project Delivery: Lead or collaborate to plan, design, and execute capital projects for flood risk reduction and habitat restoration initiatives. This important aspect of this position includes coordinating with engineering, design, and construction teams to ensure compliance with technical standards and regulations. Solving implementation challenges will be vital. Supporting acquisition requests for capital projects will help keep capital projects on-schedule and moving forward.
• Engagement and Public Outreach: Collaborate with local communities, tribes, government agencies, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders. Ensure key stakeholders, tribes and partners have a say in ongoing project decisions and are aware of progress and potential impacts.
• Communications: Lead the preparation of outreach & communications plans, online communications hubs, maps, figures, distribution lists and other outreach content. Coordinate the review and approval of outreach materials through the County’s internal review process.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration within the team but also with other teams, sections, and departments within King County. Facilitate synergy among different parts of the organization to promote integration and identify opportunities for multi-benefit project outcomes.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree OR any equivalent combination of education and experience in environmental science, natural resource management, urban/regional planning, communications, public administration, or related fields.
• Experience and knowledge in the production and presentation of quality written material used for a variety of audiences including public facing documents, technical communications, and executive briefings.
• Experience working in complex, multi-party project management, natural resource and/or public planning efforts with a demonstrated knowledge of interjurisdictional governance public planning processes and resources management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, on technical information to non-technical audiences in writing, orally or visually.
• Demonstrated experience dealing tactfully, working collaboratively, and building consensus with diverse groups and individuals including elected officials, residents, representatives of other county, city, state and federal agencies, the public, community groups, and organizational colleagues.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.

Competencies You Bring:

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Familiarity with river and floodplain management, watershed planning, water quantity and quality management, and habitat restoration.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal flood hazard codes, regulations and principles, and familiarity with associated disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery programs.
• Experience with property acquisition strategies.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The Basin Planning and Portfolio Management Team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position will work a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Work outside the typical work schedule including early mornings, evenings and weekends may be required from time to time. Participation in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities in support of King County's Flood Warning Center operations during flood events.
• Union Representation: These positions are represented by Teamsters Local Union Local 117 bargaining unit.
• Physical Requirement: This position has a regular requirement to walk and navigate uneven ground outside along rivers, in forests, and rural areas during inclement weather and at all hours. These work areas can be dark, pose difficult terrain features, and often require specialized safety gear such as personal floatation devices (PFD). Job will be required to participate in flood emergency response requiring Swiftwater awareness training.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all current King County employees . We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Please ensure that your application materials clearly detail how your skills and experience meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this posting.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.
• Resume.
• Cover Letter (optional but will be reviewed if submitted).

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Isaac Good at (206) 848-0576 or [email protected] .

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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.

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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite 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, 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.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 5/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$110,087.54 - $139,542.21 Annually