Operations Manager

Salary: $146,331.12 - $185,482.96 Annually
Location : Roads Maintenance - 155 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026JA27536
Department: DLS - Dept. of Local Services
Division: Road Services
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Closing Date: 7/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C11 : PROTEC17-Section Managers
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week


Summary
The Road Services Division of King County's Department of Local Services seeks an experienced people leader and operations manager to join its Maintenance Section Leadership Team, a creative and skilled team of professionals. Our ideal candidate shares a commitment to building a culture of transparency, safety and belonging and is comfortable working with a highly operational workforce. This leadership position ensures that Roads maintenance and operations are optimized and aligned with King County's True North Values and the division's strategic priorities.
The successful candidate will serve as the Assistant Section Manager, being responsible for the daily and longer-term operational needs of the Roads Maintenance Section. This position requires a high level of communication, fiscal, labor relations, and organizational skills to effectively manage a budget of $37 million and lead 235 full-time employees represented by one of ten collective bargaining agreements. The Operations Manager directly supervises and leads teams responsible for short and long-range planning, special initiatives, environmental and cultural resources. climate and sustainability, performance management, emergency preparedness, campus/facilities operations and workforce planning. The successful candidate will share a commitment to innovation, relationship building, communications, transparency and have a nuanced understanding of organizational decision-making.

Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Job Duties


Applying is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Provide clear, transparent and accountable leadership to a diverse workforce that prioritizes safety and a culture of belonging.
• Act as an integral team member on the Roads Maintenance Leadership Team.
• Plan, Do, Check and Adjust to optimize delivery of operational and budgetary priorities; develop and implement strategies to accomplish those priorities. Bring a continuous improvement mindset and process improvement skillset to the organization.
• Implement strategic plans, goals and policies; ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; analyze and interpret operating policies, procedures, and guidelines; and approve recommendations for improvement.
• Serve as the liaison between the Roads Maintenance Section and the Engineering Section, as well as with other county agencies, cities and other governmental and non-governmental partners.
• Strategize new initiatives, problem solving, and operational improvements.
• Prepare presentations, written materials and graphic communications for senior management, crews, and people leaders.
• Plan, coordinate and direct emergency response planning and make emergency response and recovery decisions related to various disasters (earthquakes, floods, windstorms, snow, etc.)
• Build teams, supervise, and mentor staff across the Maintenance section; assist and make recommendations on hiring, disciplining and terminating subordinates; prepare performance appraisals and maintain appropriate documentation for personnel issues; enforce workplace rules, including employee discipline and positive performance counseling.
• Play a key role during flood and snow events and other natural disasters
• Supervise staff and manage programs across planning, environmental/cultural resources, business administration, special use permits and claims, 24/7 customer service, performance management, continuous improvement, workforce planning, organizational development and other as needed special projects and initiatives.
• Lead, help develop, and motivate employees, helping them to recognize the important role they each play in achieving the overall agency priorities while empowering individuals to pursue professional goals.

Values (ACTIVATE)

A ccountable
C ollaborative
T imely
I mpactful
V alue Employees
A ccessible
T rusted
E quitable
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Possess a robust executive skill set including strong people leadership, organization, strategic thinking, and organizational development; demonstrated experience leading inclusive group processes.
• Be proactive and able to manage/track a high volume of diverse tasks and projects.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and adaptable, in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment; ability to track, prioritize and manage multiple issues and competing priorities.
• Develop and maintain an effective, collaborative, and positive staffing environment including workforce development, personnel management, conflict resolution, and managing staff and organizations through periods of change.
• Effectively lead individuals and/or teams in service-based programs, working with diverse populations including race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status in a culturally competent manner.
• Demonstrate behaviors and decision making that reflect accessibility, respect, equity and belonging.
• Possess excellent written, verbal, organization and presentation skills, with the ability to concisely, clearly and effectively communicate information to a range of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to anticipate and successfully navigate issues and perform effectively in a range of situations.
• Experience maintaining positive working relationships with senior managers, elected officials, staff and other partners.
• Experience managing multiple programs; planning, scheduling, and obtaining all necessary resources to complete projects, including guiding the preparation and monitoring of project cost estimates, delivery timelines and other measures of success.
• Apply knowledge of local, state, federal and environmental laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to road maintenance.
• R ecognize, assess and oversee resolution of complex and/or technical problems or hazards related to the road system, the communities served and the diversity of built and natural environments within which the road system is located.
• Ability to read maps and plan sets, policies, legislation, and other technical information.
• Familiarity with human resources, labor relations, and leadership principles and be dedicated to employees and the management of their performance and development of their skills.
• Predictable and reliable attendance , is essential, including the ability to effectively respond after hours, and during emergencies and/or natural disasters. Note that this position is primarily an in-person position, with some remote work possible.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, SharePoint, Teams and other appropriate technology.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of GIS, Maintenance Management Systems, and Roadworks.
• Knowledge of King County and Washington State regulations and policies pertaining to road maintenance.

Additional Requirements (successful candidates must):

• Have a valid Washington State Driver's License.

Supplemental Information
Interview Schedule: Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15 minute phone interview the week of July 20th. If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45-minute in-person interview the week of July 27th.

Who may apply: This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants.


Application Process: A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position. Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.


Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as a First Responder - Employees who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence, the environment, and restoring order.


Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit and the


Union Membership: This position is represented by PTE Local 17.

Teleworking Requirement
This position requires in-office presence at least four days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.


Work Location
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. The employee will report to work at Renton Maintenance Facility - 155 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056.
Employees will be provided with a King County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Forbes 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? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

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.

To Apply
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 or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Janice Antonio
HR Analyst
View phone number on click.appcast.io
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


Do you have knowledge of GIS, Maintenance Management Systems, and Roadworks?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have knowledge of King County and Washington State regulations and policies pertaining to road maintenance?

• Yes
• No

Required Question