Lead Geologist

Job Description

Summary

This position is the Lead Geologis t for all Solid Waste Division facilities. As the lead geologist for the Landfill Engineering, Geology, and Environmental Data (LEGEND) unit you will provide the direction for assessment, monitoring, and improvement of groundwater quality for essential public facilities in the King County Solid Waste Division. This work is exciting and innovative and serves as a very important role in the protection and preservation of clean water and health habitat for the environmental and communities surrounding our facilities.

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 Engineer 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, childcare, 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:

The Solid Waste Division of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is looking for a Lead Geologist. The primary function of this position will be senior level project manager and geotechnical duties associated with Solid Waste Division landfill projects.

This position will perform engineering, geotechnical, environmental assessment and project management duties with the Cedar Hills Landfill and Closed Landfills. This position will support Post Closure Maintenance, Capital Improvement Program, and Hydrogeologic report projects. Provide geotechnical services to support the evaluation, assessment, modification, and improvement of landfill groundwater and landfill gas monitoring systems. Manage environmental data from groundwater, surface water, wastewater, landfill gas and soil and perform water quality evaluations applying knowledge of air and aquatic chemistry, fate and transport, environmental analytical methods, environmental monitoring networks, environmental regulations and environmental control systems and will require patience and diligence in environmental data review.

This position will be responsible for overseeing diverse project teams composed of internal and consultant subject matter experts from a broad range of disciplines including engineering, geotechnical, community relations, property acquisition, permitting and operations and maintenance staff. Provide leadership to team and project members including providing technical and professional mentoring and assigning tasks to team members.

The position will be required to supervise the production of hydrogeologic evaluations of the division’s landfills for the annual and quarterly reporting requirements as specified in WAC 173-304 and WAC 173-351 as the division’s lead licensed geologist or hydrogeologist; these evaluations will be stamped by a licensed hydrogeologist. Includes review of engineering reports and design documents prepared by consultants, and other agencies as required. Other functions of this position will include: Preparing permit compliance reports; Preparing consultant and construction contracts; Managing geotechnical and engineering consultants and, construction contractors.

About the Team:

Environment Science and Compliance Section (ESCS) ensures compliance with regulations and permits that impact the environment while promoting environmental responsibility.
T he Landfill Engineering Geology and Environmental Data Unit that this position is in, is a unit in ESCS, that manages the investigation, monitoring, evaluation and remediation of environmental systems at Solid Waste facilities to ensure regulatory compliance and operational integrity ensuring sound protection of citizens and their environment.

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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Lead Geologist you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kin g county. g ov/equity .

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:

• Manage environmental investigation and feasibility studies for the evaluation, monitoring, design, and construction of environmental control system improvements and/or termination of post closure of closed landfills.
  
• Provide routine geotechnical services, , necessary to plan, design, construct, commission, and maintain various landfill environmental control systems engineering elements, including groundwater and landfill gas monitoring and collection systems.
  
• Write technical reports and issue papers for various technical and non-technical audiences to summarize and convey project findings and meet regulatory compliance requirements.
  
• Present and discuss technical information with managers and staff, project managers, project teams, and landowners, regulatory agencies, public stakeholders, elected officials, and other jurisdictions and agencies.
  
• Provide technical and quality review for compliance reports.
  
• Provided guidance, mentoring, training, and direction in the preparation of reports and the compliance with local regulatory requirements.
  
• Determine consistency of well boring logs, well development plans and products with all appropriate industry standards, as well as local, state and federal laws and regulations, including Solid Waste Division policies and procedures.
  
• Provide leadership to project and team members including technical mentorship, assigning project tasks and support to team members to ensure project and tasks succeed in meeting the desired outcomes.
  
• Negotiate regulatory permit conditions needed for projects including groundwater, surface water, and operating permit regulatory requirements.
  
• Project Management of the Cedar Hills Hydrogeologic Report Update and Cedar Hills East Perched Zone capital improvement program projects
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in earth science, geophysics, soil sciences, geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, or closely related field, Licensed Geologist
  
• Demonstrated experience (5 years) in analyzing or reviewing various technical landfill related engineering elements, including environmental controls and monitoring systems independently and in leadership roles. Demonstrated experience (5 years) in permit applications at landfills and environmental remediation sites.
  
• Demonstrated experience (4 years) in preparing hydrogeologic evaluations under the direct supervision of a licensed geologist or hydrogeologist.
  
• Ability to lead and encourage engineering and/or scientific support staff to complete complex solid waste related environmental investigation and feasibility study projects.
  
• Demonstrated experience in project management methodologies.
  
• Demonstrated experience in effective communications management both in oral and writing formats with diverse groups of professionals, coworkers, and public.
  
• Intermediate working knowledge using Microsoft (MS) Project to develop schedules for public works projects; MS Excel, MS-Word, and MS PowerPoint.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary collaborative team settings and to actively engage in the development of project designs that encompass multiple project objectives, while accommodating site constraints.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively across department lines and with senior level managers, supervisors, technical leads, and operations staff.
  
• Ability to take initiative and function independently on assigned work, while keeping team members and stakeholders apprised of key issues and developments.
  
• Ability to communicate in a pleasant, non-judgmental, respectful, culturally sensitive manner under varying levels of stress.
  

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity : Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Directs Work: Providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
• Racially Just: Identify and replace racists systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• Professional Hydrogeologist within 1 year of hire date

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• The selected person will need a valid Washington State Driver’s License to be able to travel throughout the County in a timely manner.
• The selected person will have a certificate of licensing as a geologist by the Washington State geologist licensing board.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform duties involving physical labor including bending, kneeling, standing, reaching, climbing, stooping, squatting, pushing, twisting, visiting landfill sites and walk on uneven terrain. This position involves work at active and closed municipal solid waste facilities, which may pose environmental, chemical, and physical hazards, including but not limited to, odor, noise, dust, and traffic.

• Work Location: The team 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 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 works a 40-hour work week; Mon - Fri, core hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non - exempt and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC17.

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 Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube .

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.

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.

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 sonsharma@kingcounty.gov.

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 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: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific