Fish Passage Engineer II

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Engineer II positions within the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.

Restore Salmon Habitat in King County

Join a team working at the heart of environmental restoration. King County’s Fish Passage Unit is hiring a Fish Passage Engineer II to help reconnect salmon to historic habitat that has been blocked for decades. This role is an opportunity to apply engineering skills to projects with real ecological impact-advancing watershed health, supporting salmon recovery, and contributing to major County initiatives such as the the King County Fish Passage Restoration Program and the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Initiative.

Whether you’re motivated by technical problem-solving, field work, or designing structures that benefit our region’s natural systems, this position offers meaningful, long-term work with a mission-driven team.
About the Role
The Fish Passage Engineer II plays a key role in delivering capital projects that restore fish passage through removal or remedy of in-stream barriers to fish passage. You’ll work across all phases of fish passage restoration-from assessment to design to construction. Your responsibilities will include preparing engineering plans and bid documents, conducting hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, completing fish passage barrier assessments, writing technical reports, and supporting construction oversight.

You will collaborate regularly with project managers, ecologists, geologists, planners, regulatory partners, landowners, and residents to advance the County’s fish passage work plan. This recruitment may also be used to fill other Engineer II vacancies within the Capital Delivery Section or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work. Employees in this position primarily telework, with onsite field or project-related work typically required 3-6 times per month. Construction may involve field work throughout construction activities for consecutive days or weeks during the summer and fall.
About the Team
The Fish Passage Unit sits within the Capital Delivery Section of the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD). Our section delivers a diverse portfolio of capital projects that address fish passage, stormwater management, salmon recovery, mitigation, and flood risk reduction.

We work in multidisciplinary teams-pairing engineers with ecologists, scientists, planners, outreach specialists, and project managers-to take projects from concept through construction. The work is collaborative, fast-paced, and deeply connected to countywide initiatives such as Clean Water Healthy Habitat, the Land Conservation Initiative, and the Fish Passage Restoration Program.

Our culture centers on partnership, technical excellence, curiosity, and a shared commitment to improving environmental outcomes for communities and ecosystems across King County.

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 a Fish Passage Engineer II, 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:

• Prepare project design plan sets and bid documents needed for construction of small and large projects including multiple plan views, profiles, typical sections, complex details and notes.
  
  
• Support ongoing fish passage barrier assessments and prioritization, including field assessment, hydrologic modeling, and analysis and manipulation of spatial data and maps in GIS applications.
  
  
• Write engineering documents, including but not limited to design reports, technical information reports, and stormwater pollution prevention plans.
  
  
• Perform technical studies and engineering analysis including hydraulic modeling.
  
  

• Provide construction oversight and perform inspections for various capital improvement projects during implementation.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

QUALIFICATIONS YOU BRING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related field; OR substituting four years of documented progressively responsible, related civil engineering experience for the required education; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  
• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification, or Professional Engineer license.
  
  
• Demonstrated professional work experience leading or contributing to analyses, modeling, or designing for water resources projects including stormwater, flood control, and habitat restoration projects.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience working independently to use AutoDesk Civil 3D or similar programs to generate grading surfaces.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience in preparing plans, specifications and cost estimates.

COMPETENCIES YOU BRING:

• Tech Savvy - Anticipating and adopting innovations in digital and technology applications that improve organizational outcomes.
  
• Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently to accomplish work, even when situations are complex or constrained.
  
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the needs of different audiences.
  
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
  
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
  
• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are uncertain, the situation is evolving, or the path forward is not fully clear.
  

As part of our interview and professional development processes, we align with a competency-based framework. Korn Ferry offers a publicly available resource that describes many of the competencies we consider during hiring and performance discussions.

You’re welcome to review these materials to get a general understanding of the types of competencies we may be looking for:
https://www.kornferry.com/fyi-resources

Please note that while we draw on this model to inform our practices, we use it in a way that is tailored to our organization’s needs.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Valid Washington State driver’s license, the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position, or an alternative means to travel efficiently to remote work locations with limited or no public transportation.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU ALSO BRING:

• Licensed Washington State professional civil engineer (P.E.).
  
  
• Knowledge and experience in the fields of geological/geotechnical engineering or geomorphology.
  
  

• Knowledge and experience using ArcGIS or ArcPro.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Employees in this role work primarily remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 3-4 days a month. 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. Construction may involve field work throughout construction activities for consecutive days or weeks during the summer and fall.
  
  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. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC Local 17A.
• Necessary Special Requirements:
  • Valid Washington State driver’s license, the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position, or an alternative means to travel efficiently to remote work locations with limited or no public transportation.
  • The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
• Physical Requirements:
  This position requires the ability to safely conduct physical site inspections and evaluations, and during project construction. This work requires bending, lifting, walking in adverse weather and environment, and other physical activities associated with field activities. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments, and on and along river, stream and wetland corridors. This position may include working on uneven grades, slopes, surfaces, and slippery terrain in inclement weather and dynamic conditions in the outdoors, and other adverse conditions such as darkness, dust, odor, high volume noise, heavy traffic, and working near construction and industrial activities/equipment.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but first consideration will be given to all current King County PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit employees eligible for a lateral transfer (transferring within the Engineer II classification and having passed probation). We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

We will review applications based on clarity, completeness, and alignment with the qualifications outlined in this posting.
When you apply, make sure your materials clearly show how you meet the core technical requirements. Highlight any civil or water-resources engineering education, or describe equivalent hands-on experience if you’re substituting for a degree. Call out your EIT certification or PE license, and be specific about the types of analyses, modeling, or designs you’ve led or contributed to-especially for stormwater, flood control, or habitat restoration projects. If you use AutoDesk Civil 3D (or similar tools), name the projects where you built grading surfaces on your own. Finally, include examples of plans, specifications, and cost estimates you’ve prepared so reviewers can clearly see the scope of your experience.

To apply, please submit the following:

• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Answers to supplemental questions ( We’re looking for original answers that showcase your relevant job experience(s). The answers to the supplemental questions will be used in the screening process)

Note: A resume is optional and will be reviewed if submitted. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jamie Jensen-Young at 206-263-8779 or jjensenyoung@kingcounty.gov.

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: 12/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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