Lower Green River Basin Steward

Summary

Come join our team as we support a diverse portfolio of environmental services, including stormwater management, salmon recovery, flood risk management, noxious weed removal, and supporting agriculture and forestry. The Water Land & Resources Division , within King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), Rural and Regional Services Section (RRSS) is looking for a Lower Green River Basin Steward (PPM III) to join the Regional Partnerships Unit (RPU).

Why This is a Great Opportunity:
As the Lower Green River Basin Steward works at the forefront of the county’s on-the-ground implementation of the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9) Salmon Habitat Plan and supporting the county’s related initiatives. If you like combining your technical know-how with rich community engagement and partnership building, this position is for you! Basin stewards are 'connectors' in their assigned geographies. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with numerous county divisions and departments, partner jurisdictions, community organizations as well as individual landowners and residents. Basin stewards get to see the fruits of their labor on the ground through successful acquisitions of open space, completed habitat restoration projects, and direct engagement with the communities they serve.

About the Role:
In this position, you will inherit an active work program of restoration, acquisition, and coordinating revegetation efforts in the Lower Green River and associated tributary basins, extending approximately from the city of Auburn downstream to Tukwila at the confluence of the Green and Black Rivers. Ongoing capital restoration projects will rely on the basin steward to apply for grant funding for design and implementation. This position operates in an area where urban development and associated infrastructure can constrain restoration opportunities; creativity, self-motivation, and persistence will be keys to success. Unlike the more rural portions of the county, this geography also intersects with unique management challenges such as limited space, conflicting stakeholder interests, and intensive commercial and industrial development near the river. Active collaboration with partner jurisdictions, non-governmental organizations, the King County Flood Control District and the county’s other divisions and departments are essential for success in this opportunity.

Key Program Areas Include:

• Program Management: Responsible for planning and leading King County’s efforts to restore ecological health in the Lower Green River through property acquisition and on-the-ground restoration efforts in collaboration with partner organizations.
• Program Development: Coordinate, maintain and enhance an existing network of partner organizations focused specifically on revegetation efforts along the Lower Green River and associated tributary streams.
• Basin Stewardship Subject Matter Expert: Serve as a key resource for internal and external partners regarding salmon recovery and ecological restoration efforts in the Lower Green River Area. Represent King County on applicable committees and work groups.
  

About the Team:
The Regional Partnerships Unit (RPU) within the Rural and Regional Services Section (RRS) leads the division’s efforts throughout King County in land conservation through acquisition of environmentally valuable property, and spearheading habitat restoration efforts through partnerships with cities, tribes, non-governmental organizations, state and federal agencies, and individual landowners.

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 the Lower Green River Basin Steward , your work will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .
Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water Land & Resources Division with King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment, and enhancing management of working landscapes, and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Serve as a networker and convenor among internal and external partners to help prioritize and align environmental programs and actions in the Lower Green River basin.
• Coordinate the implementation of capital improvement projects related to salmon recovery and water quality improvement, including Green River revegetation efforts. Includes prioritizing projects, working with landowners to secure property access, preparing grant applications and managing grants, and coordinating with internal and external project partners.
• Coordinate regularly with key partners, such as the cities of Tukwila, Kent and Auburn; the Green-Duwamish Watershed Ecosystem Forum (WRIA 9); the King County Flood Control District; and community organizations to advance habitat restoration efforts.
• Identify land acquisition priorities to support salmon recovery and the Land Conservation Initiative and apply for grants to support these goals.
• Work closely with the WRIA 9 salmon recovery team, also housed in this unit, to ensure alignment between salmon plan priorities and King County’s on-the-ground efforts.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Demonstrated history of effectively working with a diverse range of jurisdictions, agencies, businesses, and organizations, and a proven ability to develop and maintain partnerships to cooperatively manage natural resources.
• Bachelor's degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties as described.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a complex work program, including coordination of multiple projects and tasks with differing timelines.
• Familiarity with or background in natural resource management, salmon habitat protection and restoration, and working knowledge of aquatic and riparian habitat, critical areas and associated regulations (although the position itself is non-regulatory).
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity and social justice principles, and environmental justice.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and experience with giving presentations and meeting facilitation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred qualifications: Master's degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences, community affairs, communications, political science, or a related field.
  
• Familiarity with salmon recovery efforts in the Green/Duwamish watershed and adjacent communities.
  
• Experience with engaging residents, businesses, and property owners to implement best practices, such as riparian revegetation and green stormwater infrastructure solutions.
  

Key Competencies:

• Action Oriented: -Taking on new opportunities and touch challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Organizationally Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Builds Networks: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Work will primarily be performed hybrid (Remote/Onsite), Field visits across the service area up to 1-3 days per week, depending on season. In-person meetings at King Street Center or other central locations 1-3 times per month.
• Primary onsite location: is King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This location offers excellent accessibility through multiple mass transit options ensuring convenient and sustainable commuting. This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work
• Work Schedule: This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and it is not eligible for overtime. This full-time position works a 40 -hour work week.
• Union Membership: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.

Application and Selection Process:
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness of online application, cover letter, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials may NOT be considered for this position:

• King County application (REQUIRED)
• Resume (REQUIRED)
• Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: William R. Herbert, Human Resource Analyst
wherbert@kingcounty.gov
(206) 477-5494

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

WHY WORK FOR KING COUNTY? King County was named "Best-in-State Employer" in the Forbes magazine 2019, ranking 16 on the list of best employers in Washington State - visit: Awards given to King County to see more! King County's Investing in YOU initiative is building a workplace where ALL employees can thrive so we can become the nation's Best Run Government. Enjoy a balanced life with benefits that support you! http://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/why-work-here.aspx 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; and 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.

To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• 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
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal 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.

Closing Date/Time: 2/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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