Remedial Actions Lead

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan (pension/457b)

Flexible schedules and telecommuting

Transit/ORCA transit pass

Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

Job summary

King County's Solid Waste Division is seeking a Remedial Actions Lead (Engineer III) to develop remediation strategies, provide technical direction on environmental projects, and support CIP efforts from design through commissioning.

This senior role mentors junior engineers, collaborates with capital project managers and multidisciplinary teams, and leads spill response, regulatory interactions, and field investigations at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• Progressive experience in environmental remediation.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and contractors.
• Experience applying MTCA/CERCLA or similar cleanup programs.
• Strong technical writing and regulatory submittal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead remediation program development and implementation for spills/releases at the landfill.
• Provide technical oversight and project management from discovery through cleanup.
• Represent the Solid Waste Division with regulatory agencies.
• Prepare RFPs, bid documents, and assist in contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with Operations, compliance, regulators, and onsite construction.
• Stormwater design knowledge preferred.
• Other engineering and environmental duties at Cedar Hills.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor degree in engineering

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Stormwater design manuals

Job description

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Engineer III positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months. The Solid Waste Division (SWD) of King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks is seeking a motivated, solutions-focused professional to serve as a Remedial Actions Lead (Engineer III). If you are a collaborative problem solver who thrives on complex environmental and engineering challenges, this role offers the opportunity to support vital work that protects public health and the environment for King County communities.

Within the Solid Waste Division, the Facilities Engineering Services (FES) unit is a multidisciplinary team supporting both capital projects and daily operations at King County’s only operational landfill. We are committed to engineering excellence, continuous learning, and meaningful environmental stewardship - and we invite you to bring your expertise and technical guidance to our team.

About This Role

This full-time Engineer III position serves as the technical lead for remedial actions at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. In this senior engineering role, you will develop and advance remediation strategies, provide technical direction on environmental engineering projects, and support Capital Improvement Program (CIP) efforts from design through commissioning. You will also provide engineering support to Operations, manage non‑capital projects, and contribute technical expertise to teams across the Solid Waste Division.

Our engineers bring a range of relevant experience to this work, including civil and environmental engineering, wastewater systems, gas collection and conveyance, and environmental science. This diversity supports the broad and complex engineering challenges at Cedar Hills. Because landfill engineering is a specialized discipline, we provide targeted training to help new team members build the site‑specific knowledge needed to apply their expertise effectively.

As an Engineer III, you will also serve as a technical leader within the Facilities Engineering Services team. This includes mentoring junior engineers and scientists, collaborating closely with capital project managers and multidisciplinary teams, and fostering a culture of teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning.

About The Team

The Facility Engineering and Science Unit (FES) is a critical part of the Capital Planning and Delivery Section within the Solid Waste Division (SWD). Our engineers and scientists support a variety of large‑scale programs and projects within SWD. FES is a dynamic team committed to safety, environmental stewardship and providing critical services to the residents and businesses of King County. Our team consists of civil, mechanical, chemical, and environmental engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, operational technology systems engineers, IT systems architect, project managers, CAD/BIM professionals as well as surveyors and asset managers. To learn more about SWD visit https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste.aspx.

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. In this position, 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:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive program to investigate and remediate environmental impacts associated with spills / releases from the landfill.
• Provide technical oversight and project management in response to spills / releases from discovery through cleanup.
• Represent the Solid Waste Division in interactions with regulatory agencies overseeing spill response and cleanup.
• Lead the preparation of consultant request for proposals, construction invitation to bid and other contract documents; participate in the consultant review and selection, bid or qualification process and assist in negotiation of final contracts.
• Collaborating with the Operations Section, environmental compliance group, regulatory agencies, and onsite construction for environmental responses and cleanup actions.
• Stormwater design or knowledge in application of the Washington State or King County Stormwater Design manuals preferable.
• Other engineering and environmental duties as assigned at Cedar Hills.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated progressive experience in environmental remediation.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and contractors during remediation activities.
• Demonstrated experience applying regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements, including the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), or similar state cleanup programs.
• Experience planning or overseeing environmental field investigations.
• Strong technical writing skills, including preparation of reports, memos, and regulatory submittals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management techniques and principles.

Physical Requirements

This position requires bending, lifting, walking in uneven terrain and adverse weather conditions, and performing other physical activities associated with field work. Must be able to travel between SWD facilities throughout King County, some of which are not served by public transportation.

Workplace Exposures

This position requires work at an active municipal solid waste landfill, where employees may be exposed to environmental, chemical, and physical hazards. All field activities are performed in accordance with a task‑specific health and safety plan.

Competencies You Bring

• Decision Quality – Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• 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.
• Instills Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring

• 5+ years of progressive experience in environmental remediation.
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certification
• OSHA 30‑hour Construction or General Industry Certification
• Professional Engineer (PE) License, Licensed Geologist (LG), or Licensed Hydrogeologist (LHG)

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Work Location: The FES team 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, Seattle, Washington 98104. Field work is also required for this position. During the dry‑weather season, approximately three days per week in the field are expected. During the wet‑weather season, field work is typically required one to two days per week.
• 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 17.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.

Benefits

• 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.