Wastewater Plant Operations Leader (Flexible Schedule)

King County, WA; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Transit pass

Paid time off

Job summary

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division seeks a Plant Manager for Brightwater, overseeing 40+ operations, maintenance and facilities staff. You will guide strategic direction, budget planning and performance metrics to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable treatment services for 2.3 million residents.

This leadership role requires collaboration with engineering, capital projects, safety, and HR, driving workforce development, risk management, and continuous improvement in a large, regulated

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams and building consensus across a diverse workforce.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment and conveyance systems operations and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of engineering principles and large-scale systems operations.
• Familiarity with budget techniques and capital planning.
• Knowledge of project management principles and labor relations practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Awareness of current policies, trends, and technologies affecting wastewater treatment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Brightwater’s operations, maintenance, and facilities teams through supervisors and staff, setting priorities and performance expectations.
• Oversee daily treatment operations and maintenance to ensure reliable service, compliance, safety, and public health protection.
• Direct maintenance planning and prioritize preventive and corrective work to improve asset reliability.
• Participate in leadership to develop strategic priorities and measure performance.
• Manage operating budgets and staffing/resource needs.
• Coordinate with engineering, projects, and safety teams for changes and readiness for service.
• Lead responses to disruptions and emergencies in collaboration with leadership and support teams.
• Handle employee and labor relations with HR and Labor Relations under collective bargaining agreements.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Staff development

Operations management

Safety compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Washington State Group IV Wastewater Operator’s license

Driver’s license

Tools

SCADA systems

Process automation

Job description

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division seeks a Plant Manager for Brightwater, overseeing 40+ operations, maintenance and facilities staff. You will guide strategic direction, budget planning and performance metrics to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable treatment services for 2.3 million residents.

This leadership role requires collaboration with engineering, capital projects, safety, and HR, driving workforce development, risk management, and continuous improvement in a large, regulated