Communications and Policy Manager

Summary

Are you ready to use your environmental expertise to make visible, lasting change? In this role, you’ll play a central part in educating the public about noxious weeds and strengthening countywide efforts to protect ecosystems through creative communication and community engagement. You’ll be part of a dynamic team pushing forward some of King County’s most ambitious environmental goals, including the Healthy Lands Project, the Land Conservation Initiative (LCI) and the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Initiative .

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Project/Program Manager III TLT positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.
About the Role:
The Communications and Policy Manager (Project/Program Manager III) will work closely with the Program Manager to assist with the development of program policies and communication strategies that achieve the mission of the program to reduce impacts of noxious weeds on the environment and economy of King County, and to meet the requirements of the Washington State Noxious Weed Law. The role will develop communications materials, implement outreach plans, and develop outreach strategies to better reach the residents of King County and deliver equitable services across the diverse landscape and population of the region.

Click on the links below to find out more about the Noxious Weed Control Program’s Educational efforts you may be able to contribute to:

Newsletter: KC Noxious Weed News - Spring '26

Noxious Weeds Blog: https://kingcountyweeds.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcountyweeds/

Publications: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/resources/weed-publications

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

About the Team:
The Noxious Weed Control Program is a national leader in the early detection of noxious weeds, integrated pest management, community engagement, and rapid response to high impact weed concerns. We work throughout King County to prevent and reduce the economic, environmental, and social impacts of noxious weeds in King County, Washington. Our mission is to provide benefits to the environment, recreation, public health, and economic resources of King County by preventing and minimizing harmful impacts of noxious weeds. We do this through educating and providing technical assistance to landowners and public agencies to help everyone find the best control options for noxious weeds on each site and to reduce the overall impact of noxious weeds throughout the county.

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 Communications and Policy 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:
Policy: Collaborate with the Noxious Weed Control Program Unit manager to identify policy issues connected to noxious weed control work and provide project management to tackle these issues.Communications: Develop communications materials such as reports, newsletters, website updates, presentations, that effectively educate the public on the topic of identifying and controlling noxious weeds. Coordinate with graphics teams to ensure excellence in visual communications.Community Outreach: Develop plans to advance public understanding of noxious weed concerns including trainings. Conduct compelling community engagement and education sessions to provide education on noxious weeds topics.Board Management: Support the Noxious Weed Control Board in their endeavors including supporting their adoption of the 2027 weed list.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Knowledgeable in noxious weed identification, biology, control, and impacts.
• Ability to create and maintain public communications such as newsletter publication, website updates, publication development, and other relevant communication outlets.
• Skills in community outreach, teaching, engaging the public in learning.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with the public on difficult, sensitive and technical issues, both verbally and in writing.
• Planning and project management skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines, prioritizing work and managing own time.
• Experience supporting or contributing to policy development, including researching issues, analyzing options, and preparing recommendations or briefing materials.

Required Licenses:

• WA pesticide applicator license required within 3 months of beginning the position.
• Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
• 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.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience with herbicides, holds WSDA pesticide applicator license.
  

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The Noxious Weed Control Program 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.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local Union Local 117.
• Physical Requirement: This position will be required to set up and take down tabling materials for events 1-2 times per month (carry boxes of materials approximately 25lbs).
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of one (1) year. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.

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 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.
• Cover Letter.
• Writing Sample corresponding with required supplemental question 3.

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 igood@kingcounty.gov .

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: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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