Engineer III
King County, WA
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
King County's Department of Local Services, Permitting Division, seeks two Engineer III professionals to lead multi-disciplinary teams and oversee development projects from residential to complex commercial reviews.
The role emphasizes equity, technical excellence, and collaborative problem solving, with a hybrid work schedule and ongoing engagement with customers, developers, and the public. Successful candidates apply engineering judgment and manage project timelines.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or equivalent.
- Professional License in Civil Engineering, and/or Engineer in Training.
- Advanced knowledge of functional discipline of engineering.
- Advanced policy and code analysis and development.
- Knowledge of supervisory techniques and principles.
- Proficiency in analytical thinking, problem solving, resolving conflicts, and bringing others to consensus.
- Ability to convey technical information to the public, government agencies, engineering and environmental consultants, and developers.
- Experience in interpreting and applying engineering standards and manuals.
- Experience using common desktop tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Demonstrated competence in applying advanced project management principles.
Responsibilities
- Act as a Lead for a product line team by training, planning, directing, and monitoring their daily work on development applications.
- Providing feedback to product line manager regarding team performance; contribute to performance evaluations.
- Conduct final quality control review of development applications for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.
- Work cooperatively with others in the division and partner agencies to resolve permit- and process-related issues.
- Participate in the analysis, interpretation, and application of relevant laws and regulations.
- Review development applications independently for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.
- Read and locate legal descriptions of property and easements.
- Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County and the department.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
- Approve plans and specifications for construction in consultation with higher level staff.
- Act as project manager for assigned projects and review revisions in consultation with higher level staff.
- Model and apply equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.
Job description
The Department of Local Services, Permitting Division is recruiting for TWO Engineer III positions. Our successful candidate will serve in a lead capacity in a multi-disciplinary team and oversee commercial and/or residential projects. The person in this position will produce timely, accurate, quality reviews and approvals of building and land use development projects, including County initiated comprehensive reviews of mining operations. Working in a collaborative manner, Engineer III's work with a higher degree of independence. They apply their years of engineering and project management experience to review a variety of permit types ranging from single-family projects to complex commercial projects, but may work more often on complex high profile, and/or time-sensitive projects. An essential part of the job is to work in a positive, solution-oriented manner with customers and their design/engineering professionals, members of the public, and colleagues.
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.
Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
- Act as a Lead for a Product line team by training, planning, directing, and monitoring their daily work on development applications.
- Providing feedback to product line manager regarding team performance; contribute to performance evaluations.
- Conduct final quality control review of development applications for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.
- Work cooperatively with others in the division and other partner agencies to resolve permit- and process-related issues, including those related to compliance with King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual.
- Participate in the analysis, interpretation, and application of relevant federal, State, and local, laws and regulations.
- Review development applications independently for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best management practices.
- Read and locate legal descriptions of property and easements.
- Communicate on the job in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent.
- Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.
- Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
- Approve plans and specifications for construction in consultation with higher level staff.
- Act as project manager for assigned projects. Initiate and/or review and approve revisions for assigned projects in consultation with higher level staff.
- Model and apply equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Accountable
- Collaborative
- Timely
- Impactful
- Value Employees
- Accessible
- Trusted
- Equitable
- A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering; or any equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating knowledge of engineering principles and site design such as surface water hydrology, soils, traffic, structural, survey, and road geometrics.
- Professional License in Civil Engineering, and/or Engineer in Training.
- Advanced knowledge of functional discipline of engineering.
- Advanced policy and code analysis and development
- Knowledge of supervisory techniques and principles
- Proficiency in analytical thinking, problem solving, resolving conflicts, and bringing others to consensus.
- Ability to convey technical information to the public, government agencies, engineering and environmental consultants, and developers.
- Experience in the interpretation and application of the King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual, or similar or equivalent standard/manuals.
- Experience in using common desktop tools, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office suite: Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Demonstrated competence in applying advanced project management principles and practices.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including staff training and presentations.
- Skill in providing excellent customer service.
- Skill in handling multiple competing and changing priorities while producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.
- Skill in working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to research and interpret applicable codes, policies, and regulations.
- Ability to use engineering software to analyze proposals.
- Experience either designing or reviewing civil engineering plans for code compliance.
- Experience in local government permit processing and regulations, or experience in roadway and storm water design and construction.
- Experience with Blue Beam (Revu 2018 extreme) or similar versions.
- Experience with HEC-RAS, MGS Flood and GIS programs.
- An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
- Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle throughout the county.
- Must have the ability to work in the field in difficult terrain.
Supplemental Information refers to additional details about the position.
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a15-minute phone interview in the week of 22-27th November 2026. If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45 minute virtual interview the week of 30th - 4th December, 2026.
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current (insert union affiliation here if applicable) members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer. (if applicable) Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed their initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, King County Personnel Guidelines, or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.
The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.
This position has been designated as: Non-Mission Critical. Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.
This position is represented by C1
This is a hybrid position. We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.
Sonali Naidu, sonaidu@kingcounty.gov/206-684-2454
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.
- 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.
01
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:
1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice
2. The department you worked in
3. The effective date of your layoff
- Required Question
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