Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Water and Land Resources Division is seeking a Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist to oversee landscape design and construction for capital projects, ensuring compliance with drawings, specifications, and maintenance needs across various sites in King County.

The role involves field inspections, coordination with project teams, and monitoring green stormwater infrastructure installations.

Qualifications

• Two years of training in landscape construction and/or design or related technical fields plus two years of work experience in landscape design, construction inspection, or professional landscaping; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting landscape drawings and specifications, and guiding landscape design.
• Extensive knowledge of western Washington ornamental and wild plant identification and culture, and vegetation monitoring.
• Knowledge of green stormwater infrastructure design and maintenance.
• Specialized knowledge of landscape construction methods, techniques and cost factors, and inspections, with emphasis on soil preparations, plant materials, plant installations, fencing and irrigation.
• Knowledge of noxious weed identification, control techniques and state and local regulations governing herbicide use.

Responsibilities

• Independently provide subject matter expertise in review and development of landscape design drawings and specifications for capital projects.
• Inspect landscape construction activities, including site preparation, planting, seeding, irrigation installation, fencing, and maintenance work to ensure conformance with contract drawings and specifications.
• Review contractor submittals related to landscape elements.
• Coordinate landscaping work with capital project teams, contractors, external consultants, and operational staff to support successful outcomes.
• Inspect maintenance of Green Stormwater Infrastructure facilities.
• Help solve landscape design, construction, and maintenance issues.

Skills

Landscape design

Construction inspection

Reading drawings

Coordination

Communication

Tools

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certification

Landscape Architect’s License

Certified Arborist

Job description

Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist

Salary: $114,412.27 - $145,024.26 Annually

Location: King Street Center - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA

Job Type: Career Service (Exec)

Job Number: 2026HD28187

Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division: Wastewater Treatment

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: W4 : TEA-WTD, DNRP-Staff

Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary

This position is open to the general public and King County Employees. King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) Environmental and Community and Services Section (ECSS) is seeking a professional with experience in landscape design and construction oversight. In the role of Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III, this position will support capital projects and programs with landscape design and construction, as well as Division-wide planning efforts where landscaping is involved. This is a great opportunity to play a critical role in upholding King County’s values of responsible environmental stewardship while supporting projects that deliver essential public infrastructure to communities. This position offers opportunities to apply and advance knowledge of green stormwater infrastructure, landscape architecture, horticulture, botany, landscape construction and maintenance inspection. The position includes a mix of office and field work.

About The Role

This position will use technical knowledge of landscape design and implementation to support a wide range of capital projects and programs during all phases of project delivery. As a Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III, this position will independently support capital projects to ensure that landscape designs meet project goals, satisfy code requirements, and meet the Division’s operational and maintenance needs for the location. During construction, this position will provide inspection services to ensure contract conformance during the installation of various landscape features, including planting and seeding, temporary and permanent irrigation systems, fencing, and green stormwater infrastructure. This position will also track and inspect landscape maintenance work. Typical project settings include wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, wet weather treatment stations, and other industrial, municipal or residential areas containing WTD infrastructure.

About The Team

WTD’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound. Not only does WTD operate around the clock to protect a healthy environment, but WTD’s vital infrastructure also supports economic activity that enables our region to flourish. WTD’s Environmental and Community Services Section (ECSS) has over 110 employees supporting the strategic development of the largest capital program in King County, with projects and programs stretching across 2,200 square miles and serving a population of over two million people. The ECSS team provides capital projects with permitting, environmental review, mitigation and restoration, real estate acquisition and management, community engagement, and property asset management. The Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist position is a new addition to ECSS, who will work most closely with mitigation & monitoring and water quality team members.ECMS is committed to WTD’s core values of environmental stewardship, quality of service, and financial accountability. Our team members are empowered to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn and grow from each other, and create innovative solutions to challenges. Our long-standing commitment to equity and social justice, consistent with King County’s values, makes our teams stronger and allows us to serve King County residents more effectively, especially related to environmental determinants of equity.

About WTD

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.We partner with regulatory agencies to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

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 King County Employee, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment athttp://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job DutiesWhat You Will Be Doing

• Independently provide subject matter expertise in review and development of landscape design drawings and specifications for capital projects.
• Inspect landscape construction activities, including site preparation, planting, seeding, irrigation installation, fencing, and maintenance work to ensure conformance with contract drawings and specifications.
• Review contractor submittals related to landscape elements.
• Coordinate landscaping work with capital project teams, contractors, external consultants, and operational staff to support successful outcomes.
• Inspect maintenance of Green Stormwater Infrastructure facilities.
• Help solve landscape design, construction, and maintenance issues.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring

• Two years of training in landscape construction and/or design or related technical fields plus two years of work experience in landscape design, construction inspection, or professional landscaping; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting landscape drawings and specifications, and guiding landscape design.
• Extensive knowledge of western Washington ornamental and wild plant identification and culture, and vegetation monitoring.
• Knowledge of green stormwater infrastructure design and maintenance.
• Specialized knowledge of landscape construction methods, techniques and cost factors, and inspections, with emphasis on soil preparations, plant materials, plant installations, fencing and irrigation.
• Knowledge of noxious weed identification, control techniques and state and local regulations governing herbicide use.

Competencies You Bring

• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Required Licenses- A valid Washington State Driver’s License or an alternate ability to get to meetings and field sites not served by transit at varying times of day.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring

• Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certification
• Landscape Architect’s License
• Certified Arborist

Supplemental InformationWork Location

Work Location: The unit 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 the Collaboration space at 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. 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 Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) - Wastewater Treatment Division,

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel or crouch. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. You will navigate uneven terrain and be in an outside environment up to 35 hours per week.