Lakes Program Supervisor

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA seeks a Lakes Program Supervisor to lead the long-term water quality monitoring for Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Lake Union, supervising a team of 4–6 scientists. You will shape study design, data quality, and open data practices while guiding applied research and policy-relevant analyses.

The role emphasizes scientific leadership, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with partners such as Public Health, UW, and the Wastewater

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences or equivalent.
• Experience leading a team of scientists.
• Experience designing long-term monitoring programs and analyses.
• Ability to collaborate with regional partners and policymakers.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff of 4–6 environmental scientists.
• Lead long-term lakes monitoring programs and studies; develop protocols and analyses.
• Provide scientific leadership and translate findings for reports and decision makers.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners (Public Health, UW, etc.).

Skills

Team leadership

Environmental science

Program management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences

Job description

Lakes Program Supervisor

Salary
$123,947.20 - $157,110.10 Annually

Location
Seattle - Regional area, WA

Job Type
Career Service (Exec)

Job Number
2026JJ27094

Department
DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division
WLRD -Water & Land Resources

FLSA
Exempt

Bargaining Unit
F3A : L117-P&T

Full- or Part-Time
Full Time

Summary
In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Water Quality Planner/Project Manager IV positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.

Are you an experienced environmental scientist who is equally passionate about developing people and advancing science? King County is seeking a collaborative leader to oversee one of the nation's most respected freshwater lake monitoring programs. In this role, you'll lead a team of scientists conducting research and monitoring that directly informs environmental policy, public health, and the protection of some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic lakes. If you're excited about combining technical expertise with people leadership to make a lasting impact on our region, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As the Lakes Program Supervisor, you will lead King County's long-term water quality monitoring program for Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Lake Union while supervising a team of approximately 4–6 environmental scientists. You'll provide strategic direction for scientific studies, oversee daily program operations, mentor and develop staff, and ensure the collection and analysis of high-quality environmental data.

This role combines scientific leadership with people management. You'll guide the design of monitoring programs and applied research, support data-driven decision making, and collaborate with regional partners—including Public Health, the Wastewater Treatment Division, the University of Washington, and other scientific organizations—to better understand and protect our freshwater ecosystems. Your work will help shape environmental policy, improve public health, and ensure King County's lakes remain healthy for future generations.

About the Team

The Science Section provides the scientific foundation that helps King County protect water quality, restore habitat, and make informed environmental decisions. Our team leads applied research, manages long-term environmental monitoring programs, delivers technical expertise, and supports evidence-based policies that benefit people, salmon, and orca.

We value scientific excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Our work influences major public investments and regional environmental initiatives while advancing equity and environmental justice. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives strengthen our science and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

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 Lakes Program Supervisor (Water Quality Planner/Project Manager IV), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing

• Supervision - including staffing, assigning work, managing workplans and performance, supporting staff to consider equitable outcomes in their work, performance appraisals, recruitments, onboarding and training. Teach, lead and coach a team of 4-6.
• Lead the Large Lakes program - develop and manage long-term scientific monitoring programs and special-studies. Develop and implement sampling protocols; work with field crews and contractors to implement monitoring plans and studies. Perform time-series and trend analysis, develop multivariate statistical models, nutrient and/or hydrodynamic modeling, and interpret, translate, and apply findings; build and follow data management systems ensure our findings are open and reproducible.
• Expert level scientific consultation & research - design and implement applied research and analyses to detect and diagnose changes in the function and condition of County lakes. Support and direct comprehensive reports and manuscripts suitable for publication in scientific journals.
• Establish partnerships and engage collaborators - including but not limited to expert level scientific consultation to internal and external work groups; including Wastewater Treatment Division, Public Health, University of Washington, and other regional partners.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring

Specialized Education

Applicant possesses at least a Bachelors’ of Science degree in the field of environmental sciences, environmental engineering, biology, earth sciences, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Supervision

Applicant has been a people leader, either in a role as a supervisor or as project lead in charge managing peoples roles and deliverables to successfully complete a project

Scientific Consultation and Research

Ability to review a document on technically advanced research and analyses to help think through findings on King County lakes.

Program design and oversight

Experience establishing study objectives, experimental designs, sampling schedules, QA/QC, and statistical approaches; establishing and using SOPs, managing long-term monitoring and special study programs

Reporting & synthesis

Experience writing technical reports, peer-reviewed papers, management summaries, and/or regulatory documents

Competencies You Bring

• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

Required Licenses

A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring

• Degree or specialized coursework in limnology, or 10+ years of professional experience working on lake ecosystems.
• Experience with aquatic food web dynamics, particularly those involving fish populations (including salmon), and the use and interpretation of scientific models (e.g. empirical, statistical, or box models).
• Experience advising policymakers and translating scientific findings into recommendations for resource managers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success developing, writing, and implementing scientific grant proposals.
• Experience representing an agency on multi-jurisdictional working groups, technical advisory committees, or similar collaborative forums.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

Remote and Onsite Work Details: The Science Section 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. Other work locations are at project sites and other site locations near the rivers of King County.
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 provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.
Necessary Special Requirements:
The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
Physical Requirement: This position requires the ability to conduct physical site inspections and evaluations, including in times of inclement weather conditions. There is often a need to walk on uneven terrain, for extended periods of time. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments, river, stream and wetland corridors, and slippery, uneven surfaces and adverse outdoor weather conditions. Work tasks also may include carrying equipment up to 50lbs and in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts. Ability to work long hours outside conducting field work and occasionally in inclement weather is necessary.

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; 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.