Project Specialist IV (Program Planning)

Salary : $100,171.44 - $127,846.92 Annually
Location : Main County Campus-3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-CNR4789R-JUN
Department: Dept of Conservation & Nat Resources
Division: Surface Water Mgmt
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 6/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), a Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring one Project Specialist IV to join SWM's Program Planning team.

SWM is seeking a highly motivated candidate for a Project Specialist IV position to lead the ). The program works with partners to engage the local floodplain community to understand the dynamics of living in a floodplain and help chart a future of resiliency by implementing actions that support fish, farms, and floods. The position will develop, manage and lead large complex floodplain reach scale planning actions and projects.


This position will serve as SWM's liaison to the Sustainable Lands Strategy (SLS) Executive Committee. SLS is led by an Executive Committee of local stakeholders representing agricultural, fish habitat restoration, and floodplain management interests.


The CFS program is a collaborative effort aimed at helping lower flood risks for residents and the agricultural community and increasing salmon habitat without transferring flood hazards to neighbors or downstream landowners. This position will use reach scale plans as well as other localized and regional planning documents, in coordination with SWM Basin Teams and the interdisciplinary Integration Teams (made up of partners like the Snohomish Conservation District, Stillaguamish and Tulalip Tribes, Washington Farmland Trust, State Agencies like WDFW and DNR, cities like Everett and Monroe, Adopt-a-stream, and Ducks Unlimited), to identify specific project ideas, obtain management approval, and write and submit grant applications to fund these projects.


The CFS program has been awarded 4 awards from the State Floodplains by Design (FbD) grant program for over $33M in funding. This position will serve as the SWM lead for large complex floodplain projects and the project manager for Phases 2-4 of the FbD grants. This position's responsibilities include the following:

• Provide Lead role for Program Planning and Floodplain Services staff working on FbD grant
• Develop work plans and budgets
• Develop and manage consultant contracts and other agreements and sub-awards
• Ensure all project grant tasks across SWM work groups are on schedule and budget.
• Provide QA/QC for project grant tasks and deliverables.
• Coordinate with other Public Works Department groups and grant partners to ensure grant is implemented on time and under budget.
• Engage stakeholders and floodplain residents in project development and implementation
• Provide oversight of outreach materials, workshops, and grant web site information
• Work with the Prosecutor's Office on legal aspects of the grant program
• Oversee preparation of future grant proposals, including the upcoming 2021-23 Floodplains by Design grant round.

If you are dedicated, motivated and team-oriented with professional experience in natural resource planning in the areas of watersheds, floodplains, and habitat protection and restoration, this is your opportunity to make a difference.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.


About Surface Water Management
SWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County. These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county. SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million.


SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations. SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems. We focus on four core areas of service:

• Drainage and road flooding
• Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes;
• Salmon and marine habitat; and
• River flooding

You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to Our 2025 Highlights report is available


Surface Water Management Overview
About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals. Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the web page to learn more.


About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, , is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We are proud to offer an outstanding package to employees and their dependents. We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Benefits
Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth. We demonstrate this by offering a generous compensation package to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package. Our benefits include:

• : County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county's contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Other benefits include , , , , , , and more.
• : If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Career development training.

Teleworking Options
The work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work with at least one day of in-office work per week. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is also available.


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. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.


Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job Duties
STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Assumes lead role in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of solid waste or surface water programs and projects; has lead responsibility for identifying information required, choosing data collection methods and collecting data; assumes lead role in developing program and project options; leads efforts to analyze proposals and cost estimates; leads efforts to solicit input and involvement from department staff and citizens.
2. Assumes lead role in the management of multiple, complex programs and projects as assigned. May direct and coordinate the activities of Project Specialist I's, II's and III's, or Associate Planners and Senior Planners, public involvement staff and/or technical staff in the planning and implementation of programs and projects as assigned: insures that the completed work complies with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and grant requirements.
3. Responsible for development and administration of program/project team's budget, work plan, and schedule to ensure cost effective and timely project completion.
4. Responsible for and may lead team in preparing bids, requests for proposals, and contract documents; is responsible for shepherding contracts and inter-local agreements through the approval process; monitors the performance of various contractors, consultants, and cooperating local agencies; approves work in progress and upon completion; approves billings for services received; prepares status reports as required.
5. Prepares and submits various grant and loan proposals; implements or leads team which implements the various grant tasks; drafts and negotiates subcontracts under grants; coordinates, monitors and approves work completed by grant funded subcontractors and recipients; administers non-accounting aspects of major and minor grants.
6. Serves as principal staff representative on various advisory committees, commissions, and interest groups; coordinates the formation of various groups as necessary; develops agendas and keeps the group informed about problems, needs, pending changes and various topics of interest; moderates discussions, mediates disputes, and resolves conflicts among numerous diverse groups both in-house and outside; arranges for presentations by other staff and agencies; as needed delegates tasks and work assignments to team members; leads the effort to develop group policies, documents and reports.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Acts as prime contact when questions about programs and projects arise from the public, government officials, business leaders, the media and interest groups; resolves conflicts between various individuals and interest groups; researches files and records and provides information over the phone, in person, and in writing.
2. Acts as the program or project's prime spokesperson; principal representative of the county for project or program-related presentations; attends meetings and participates in, or leads discussions.
3. Responsible for and may lead team in developing strategic approaches for presenting sensitive issues and information to a variety of audiences; leads group that arranges for, sets up, and/or participates in public meeting, hearings, and council sessions; supervises the preparation of graphics, displays, brochures, leaflets, and slide/tape shows; prepares oral and written presentations including findings and reports; acts as the department's key representative by responding to questions; solicits input at public meetings as appropriate.
4. Prepares or leads team which develops and revises various county codes and policies addressing solid waste management issues or land and water resources.
5. Prepares or leads team which formulates, prepares and circulates SEPA documents including checklists and environmental impact statements; reviews and comments on environmental assessments, threshold determinations and statements prepared by other departments and agencies; provides written and oral interpretations of applicable environmental ordinances and policies as necessary.
6. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in environmental sciences/studies, engineering, public administration, political science, economics, geography, urban planning, sociology or a related field; AND, three (3) years experience in work specific to the specific requirements of the position; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. A Master's degree may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Must pass job related tests.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required for employment.

Additional Information
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• the principles and practices of solid waste issues or surface water management;
• research and data collection techniques;
• current literature, trends, regulations and developments in the solid waste, recycling, moderate risk water or surface water and water resources fields;
• the use of personal computers.

Ability to:

• serve as team leader and direct the activities of subordinate employees;
• gather, evaluate and document technical data;
• read, interpret and apply legal documents;
• independently prepare and implement comprehensive programs;
• independently organize tasks, delegate responsibility and coordinate a team effort under deadlines;
• synthesize research results and use these results as a basis for recommendations;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• make effective group presentations;
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public;
• read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties;
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds;
• negotiate contracts and oversee contractors;
• resolve conflicts.

SUPERVISION
Employees in this class receive direction from a Project Specialist Manager, or administrative superior. The work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through meetings, periodic status reports and results obtained.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed in the usual office environment with field trips to locations throughout the county for the purpose of attending community meetings and public hearings and making site visits.


Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.
Visit to learn more about the following benefits.

County Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays

Voluntary Benefits

• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies

Healthcare Premiums

• Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these for medical insurance. The County pays the for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
• Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County's contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.

Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the County's to learn more.
01


Following is a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.
A resume will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" will not be considered.


Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment?

• Yes, I have a valid Washington State Driver's License
• No, but I have the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment
• No, I do not have the ability to obtain one

03


What is your highest level of completed education in environmental sciences/studies, engineering, public administration, political science, economics, geography, urban planning, sociology or a related field?

• No degree
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

04


How many years of experience do you have in work specific to the specific requirements of the Project Specialist IV position; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities?

• No experience to less than one (1) year experience
• One (1) year to less than three (3) years experience
• Three (3) years to less than five (5) years experience
• Five (5) years to less than seven (7) years experience
• Seven (7) or more years experience

05


The following essay questions will be scored to determine whether or not you advance to the interview stage. You must score at least 70% to qualify for an interview. Candidates with passing scores will be ranked by supplemental score. You will be awarded points for grammar, spelling, and writing ability. The top scoring candidates will be invited to an interview.
IMPORTANT: Using AI to generate your responses may result in a lower score or disqualification from further consideration.


Do you understand that the scores on this portion of the supplemental will determine your eligibility and ranking for an interview, and all experience MUST be documented in your employment history?

• Yes
• No

06



Essay Question This position will lead the Community Floodplain Solution program and requires an educational background as well as professional experience working on natural resource efforts in floodplains. Please briefly describe your educational background and in more detail your professional experience working on floodplain issues or Integrated Floodplain Management more broadly. Please describe your job title and role in the program or project.
07



Essay Question The success of the Project Specialist IV requires the ability to successfully coordinate and communicate with a variety of stakeholders and partners including tribes, government agencies, conservation districts, citizens and non-profit organizations. Describe your experience coordinating, facilitating or leading a group of diverse stakeholder or partner groups that worked collaboratively on complex natural resource issues. Please describe your specific role and job title for each project that you worked collaboratively on, the number of years of experience, and provide some examples of group outcomes.
08



Essay Question This position serves a lead Project Management role and will lead the planning and development of complex plans, reports, technical memos, grant applications (i.e. Floodplains by Design) and outreach or presentation materials. The position will also manage budgets, contracts (i.e. subaward agreements), and consultants. Describe your experience developing and producing planning documents and outreach materials, budgets, managing consultants, and managing contracts like subaward agreements.
09



Essay Question This position serves in a lead staffing role and will lead and coordinate the work of staff assigned to the project. Describe your experience giving work assignments, checking progress, reviewing quality of work, and motivating other staff. Include the number of years of experience as lead, the type of work assignments, and the number of staff for which work was delegated.
Required Question