Senior Public Engagement Lead - Water Infrastructure

Senior Public Involvement Outreach Specialist Salary: $114,412.27 - $145,024.26 Annually Location: King Street Center – 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service (Exec) Job Number: 2026-27224 Department: DNRP–Natural Resources & Parks Division: Wastewater Treatment FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: W4 : TEA‑WTD, DNRP‑Staff Full‑ or Part‑Time: Full Time Hours/Week: 40 hours/week Summary We are seeking a senior specialist who uses their communication skills to help people make informed decisions about the infrastructure and services that influence their lives. The Wastewater Treatment Division’s Community Services group supports transparency and public engagement, even in the face of community opposition, by collaborating with diverse audiences and valuing their perspectives. About the Role We are recruiting for two Senior Public Involvement Outreach Specialist (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III – WQPPM III) positions. Eligible candidates will plan, manage, and provide field communications and public outreach for concurrent infrastructure projects such as pipes, pump stations, and underground storage tanks throughout the planning, design, and construction phases. The role requires developing engagement guidelines, building public acceptance, and handling situations of public opposition with diplomacy and tact. Additional duties include supporting incident response efforts to protect public health during sewage spills or other emergencies, requiring availability on a rotating basis. About the Team The Community Services unit works across King County to protect public health and the environment, provides equitable and inclusive services, and upholds values of equity, social justice, and cultural diversity. Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice King County prioritizes equity and social justice, and this role actively applies those principles in all work activities. Job Duties Gain public acceptance for construction projects in the Capital Improvement Program, including treatment plants, large pipes, pump stations, and other underground infrastructure. Develop, manage, and implement public involvement plans for projects that may face opposition or controversy, establishing guidelines where none exist. Effectively communicate and coordinate with interdisciplinary project teams on complex infrastructure projects. Represent WTD at public events, briefings, and one‑on‑one venues; work directly with community members to reduce risks and advance opportunities. Plan, assess, and advocate for equity and social justice opportunities on WTD capital projects using County equity assessment tools. Support the incident response program, providing night, weekend, or rotating availability to operate in industrial and construction sites and protect public spaces during emergencies. Qualifications You Bring Experience managing public outreach on concurrent projects, serving as the public face for outreach efforts. Demonstrated leadership in leading outreach on projects with no established guidelines, or developing such guidelines. Experience working with racially, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse individuals, communities, and organizations. Experience planning and implementing effective outreach campaigns, including goal identification, objective setting, tactic selection, and schedule management. Skills in designing accessible outreach and using equitable engagement tactics. Experience directing and managing consultant teams to support community outreach efforts. Experience working with technical experts to develop clear communication pieces. Competencies You Bring Customer Focus: Building strong relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions. Drives Results: Consistently achieving results under challenging conditions. Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively when outcomes are uncertain. Being Resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity. Required Licenses/Certifications A valid Washington State Driver’s License (enabling travel to meetings and field sites). It Would Be Great if You Also Bring Working knowledge of wastewater systems and operations. Experience supporting public agency incident response efforts. Experience with multiple capital delivery methods: design‑bid‑build, progressive design‑build, and general contractor/construction management. Physical Requirements Regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Required to talk and hear. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Working Conditions Hybrid model with in‑office days and telecommuting; the ratio of remote to onsite work depends on business needs and may change. 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 the King County worksite to respond to reporting requirements. Employees will receive a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a reliable home workspace during scheduled work hours. Union Representation: Technical Employees Association (TEA). Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr IMDiversity