Project/Program Manager III - Policy Analyst

Summary

Summary

The Hazardous Waste Management Program serving King County, Washington is looking for a creative, skilled, and experienced Policy Analyst to support one of the leading local government hazardous waste and toxic reduction programs in the United States. This position will serve a key policy development role with the opportunity for hands-on engagement leading highly visible work including: 1) analysis of complex policy, legal, legislative, and social issues, 2) development of upstream policy and legislative strategies to reduce toxic exposures to people and the environment, 3) administration of hazardous waste collection and public education grants to cities and tribes to further the Program’s policy objectives, 4) development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, methods, and standards for the Program’s policy work, and 5) a broad range of policy, planning, and project management support services to advance the Program’s long-range goals.

About the Role

This expert-level position requires skill and experience in public sector policy and legislative planning, systems thinking, data and legal analysis, and the ability to pull together high-functioning interagency teams. The ideal candidate will have a track record of producing innovative policy solutions to complex societal problems, broad public sector experience in strategic planning and analysis, developing systems to coordinate work across teams, and will have exceptional project management skills including scheduling, budgeting, project planning, and progress tracking. The position serves as a strategic advisor to the Policy Manager, the Program Director, and other team members. All activities are conducted using best practices for racial equity. Successful candidates will have experience implementing racially equitable practices throughout their work.
About the Team

This position helps fulfil the Hazardous Waste Management Program’s mission through upstream systems change to reduce hazardous materials exposure to people and the environment and, through the City/Tribal Grant Program, support cities and tribes to do the same. The Program serves King County’s 2.3 million residents and 60,000 businesses, with an annual budget of $21 million and approximately 70 staff. The Program’s mission is to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality by helping residents and businesses reduce the threat posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. The Program provides a range of services including collection and disposal, prevention programs, and policy initiatives. For more information visit Hazardous Waste Management Program.

The Program is a collaborative effort of several participating agencies. This position will be hired by the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, which is one of the participating agencies. WLRD safeguards King County's water and land resources by providing services that protect public health and yield significant environmental benefits. WLRD provides flood control services, storm water management, and other natural resource management services throughout King County. WLRD’s mission is to protect, restore, and manage King County's water and land using the best available science, innovation, and collaborating with partners and the community. For more information about the division, see Water and Land Resources Division .

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. As the Policy Analyst: Hazardous Waste Management Program, 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 Resources Division (WLRD) 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?

• Lead and develop policy initiatives to reduce human and environmental exposures to hazardous materials; Research and analyze policy alternatives to inform strategic direction and develop recommendations for the Policy Manager, the Program Director, and senior Program leadership.
• Draft clear and coherent policy documents and proposals; Prepare and deliver presentations on plans, analyses, and policy issues to Program management, partner agencies, elected officials, the public and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor policy outcomes. Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented policies and recommend adjustments.
• Administer the City/Tribal Grant Program including requests for proposals, proposal review, contract development, interpretation of grant objectives, compliance review, and reporting.
• Participate in collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams.
• Manage special projects.
• Embed equity and social justice into planning, analysis, policy initiatives, agreements, and partner engagements.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in planning, public affairs, public administration, public policy, law or related field; or a combination of education, training, and experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.
• Five (5) years' progressive experience in public sector planning, research, and analysis.
• Three (3) years' experience working directly with senior management, intergovernmental stakeholders, and elected officials to develop and implement plans and/or policy initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in state and local public policy development, legislation, and implementation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in public policy research and research methods.
• Ability to critically evaluate policies, synthesize information from diverse sources, and interpret complex data.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and logically frame problems and proposals to support management decisions. Strong written and verbal communication skills for drafting policy documents, presenting findings, and engaging with stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Global Perspective: Taking a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

It Would Be Nice If You Also Bring:

• Knowledge and experience working in an intergovernmental organization or coalition.
• Knowledge and experience applying project management principles and methods.
• Demonstrated commitment to race, environmental, and social justice.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a professional support network of interagency relationships.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements 4 to 6 times a month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104).

Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. While typical work hours are during the standard workday, this job requires evening and weekends to support public meetings/events.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Council 2, Local 1652R union.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from current King County Career Service employees only who have passed probation. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply .

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Your resume should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter (Your cover letter should detail your background and what you can bring to this position and will be used in the screening process)

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

Final selection will be determined after the candidate successfully completes an exam in preparing an communication from materials provided.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Calvin Rivers at 206-263-1986 or crivers@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the 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 .

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? 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.

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.

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: 10/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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