Sustainability Program Manager

Salary : $110,087.54 - $139,542.21 Annually
Location : King Street Center - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026SS27500
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division: SWD -Solid Waste
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: F3A : L117-P&T
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week


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

Summary

We are searching for an incredibly passionate Sustainability Program Manager to join our Recycling & Environmental Services team. This position would contribute to implementing innovative and creative efforts that will advance construction and demolition, green building, sustainability, climate action and equity and social justice within the Solid Waste Division portfolio of projects.


These efforts will support meeting our Green Building Ordinance, Strategic Climate Action Plan, and Zero Waste of Resources goals and overall climate reduction goals for the County. This is an opportunity to be part of improving institutional changes to better serve the public and provide greater benefits to our community regarding an equitable, socially just, prosperous, and healthy future.


We are filling one Career Service position and may use this recruitment to create a list of candidates for any potential vacancies in similar positions in the following 6 months. The classification of this position is Project/Program Manager III.

We also have a new County Executive with dynamic and progressive priorities including:

• Breaking the Cycle: Addressing homelessness, addiction, and incarceration.
• Building More: Expanding housing, child care, transit, and infrastructure.
• Be in Community: Making King County government more visible, connected, and community-driven.
• Better Government: Delivering a government that is more transparent, efficient, and accountable.

Our program has the ability to connect with each of these areas that provides opportunities for creative and innovative projects.

About this Role:

This position will help maximize sustainability efforts in our division's capital project portfolio that will implement green building, resource recovery, climate preparedness and equity and social justice priorities that will have long lasting benefits for our community as sound investments from our ratepayers. In addition, we are looking for someone who has experience working with a dynamic project team structure and can collaborate with multiple sections and disciplines. The Solid Waste Division has a capital portfolio of over $500 million that range from small renovations to large complex new construction recycling and transfer stations. This position will work closely with capital project managers, engineers, construction managers, and other team members to design, renovate and construct capital projects with the latest sustainability requirements. The successful candidate will serve as the Sustainability Subject Matter Expertise on Solid Waste Division project teams to assist in achieving sustainability requirements, complete necessary green building reporting, and highlighting achievements.


The Solid Waste Division has resource recovery central to all of the work and services moving forward. This position will be responsible for reviewing project development and approve advancement during gate milestones during the life of the project. This individual will have a role in advising strategies for high performance in resource recovery, C&D material diversion, energy and water savings, stormwater and site management, sustainable material selection, renewable energy projection, and other sustainable features. The individual will also take part in maintaining standard operation procedures for implementing green building and sustainability measures. Other tasks include being part of reviewing and developing RFPs, contracts and project specifications, design packages, and construction reports. They will be a member of the division's Capital Project Review Board where they will keep staff appraised of the latest green building and sustainability requirements. Some technical assistance duties include but not limited to organizing and facilitating project ecocharrettes, guidance on green building rating systems, provide tutorials on sustainability best practices, and research appropriate green building strategies that are applicable to project.


About the Team:

The candidate will be joining a team of staff that work on additional aspects of green building internally at the county and externally communitywide, along with subject matter experts on equity and social justice and construction and demolition. Together they are members of the Recycling and Environmental Services Section of the Solid Waste Division that collectively is working on a suitable future for King County and consists of units working on climate and sustainability, Re+ in community programs, resource recovery, material collection program management and innovation. The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that serves the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County. KCSWD is the lead King County Agency for delivering Zero Waste of Resources (ZWoR) goal for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%. KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.


Commitment to Equity, Racial, 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. In this Performance Analyst position, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at


Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. 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 De Doing:

• Provide technical expertise on sustainability and green building strategies for complex capital projects within the Solid Waste Division.
• Recommend and refine project scope, specifications, designs, and deliverables to ensure alignment with King County's green building, climate, and sustainability requirements.
• Manage data collection and reporting, including overseeing use of the County's PRISM database, which tracks capital portfolio information and required green building metrics.
• Prepare comprehensive analytical reports and program evaluations to guide capital project managers and engineers in understanding and implementing sustainability expectations.
• Develop program and policy recommendations, including issue papers, to accelerate the integration of sustainable practices in capital projects. Assess current program resources and identify future needs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• Demonstrated experience (2 years preferred) applying research methods, performing technical analyses, and supporting complex project work.
• Demonstrated experience (2 years preferred) with project management principles and capital project delivery, including contracting, design, construction, operations, standard operating procedures, planning, development, and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience (2 years preferred) working successfully with a variety of partners, stakeholders, and interest groups, including, but not limited to, various county, city, and/or state agencies, organizations, and associations.
• Strong and demonstrated written, verbal, and presentation skills for both small groups and large audiences.
• Experience collaborating effectively as a team member to coordinate and complete shared goals and tasks.
• Experience managing multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity : Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Racially Just : Identify and replace racists systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience (3 years preferred) in green building rating systems and sustainability efforts.
• Experience (3 years preferred) working with capital projects or facility operations.
• Experience (3 years preferred) with public agency, government or public administration.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section 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, Seattle, Washington 98104 .

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 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 works a 40-hour work week; Mon - Fri, core hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117 Professional and Technical.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. 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 a skills test and one or more panel interviews.


To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter.

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

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at and check us out at | | |


Discover More About DNRP: Visit our , explore an of our recent accomplishments and check us out at , , , , , and


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


Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Sonali Sharma at View email address on click.appcast.io.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal 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


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.
01


Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service 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.

02


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 notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
03


How many years of experience do you have with applying research methods, performing technical analyses, and supporting complex project work.

• Less than 1
• At least 1 - No more than 2
• At least 2 - No more than 3
• More than 3 years
• N/A

04


Please describe your experience with applying research methods, performing technical analyses, and supporting complex project work. NOTE: Do not write "see application," as it will be considered an incomplete response.
05


How many years of experience do you have with project management principles and capital project delivery, including contracting, design, construction, operations, standard operating procedures, planning, development, and implementation.

• Less than 1
• At least 1 - No more than 2
• At least 2 - No more than 3
• More than 3 years
• N/A

06


Please describe your experience with project management principles and capital project delivery, including contracting, design, construction, operations, standard operating procedures, planning, development, and implementation. NOTE: Do not write "see application," as it will be considered an incomplete response.
Required Question