Remedial Actions Lead (Engineer III)

About the role

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.

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.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

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.

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)

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.

Additional information

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 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.

Application Instructions: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a

• Complete Application
• Cover Letter
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.:

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Susan Ng at.

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.