Published date: August 18, 2026
Job Title: Wastewater Utility Planner
Job Website Link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/5413569/wastewater-utility-planner?department%5B0%5D=DNRP-Natural%20Resources%20%26%20Parks&sort=PostingDate%7CDescending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Short Description:
Job Duties
Review initiatives, plans, regulations, policies, technical studies, and documents for impacts on the wastewater system.
Assist in the coordination and development of various types of planning processes and documents, including but not limited project cost estimates, policy analyses, cost/benefit analysis, literature reviews, sustainability analyses, data analyses, and technology reviews.
Coordinate with other units within Wastewater Treatment to consider and incorporate other system needs, opportunities, and priorities as they relate to various planning programs.
Incorporate principles of sustainability and equity, as described in the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, into planning programs and projects.
Prepare written reports, memos, presentations, spreadsheets, and other documents necessary to support various planning programs and inform decision making processes.
Support project teams by managing SharePoint sites, document reviews, meeting notes, decision logs, etc.
Qualifications You Must Bring:
Experience in planning, engineering, environmental science, public administration, environmental review, research, or policy analysis.
Experience reviewing, evaluating the feasibility of, and drawing logical conclusions from technical studies, plans, policies, or research findings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for conveying technical information to a wide variety of expert and non-expert audiences.
Experience and/or knowledge of project management, contract management, and/or team management techniques, principles, and/or practices.
Salary and Benefits Information: $101,617.98 – $128,806.50 Annually
Full Description:
About The Role:
As a Wastewater Utility Planner, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of King County’s regional wastewater system, supporting essential infrastructure that protects public health, safeguards our waterways, and advances environmental equity across our communities. These positions are within the Combined System and Utility Planning group and the Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning group. These positions will help chart both short- and long-range plans for upgrading and renewing critical infrastructure. Your work will help the County replace aging assets, address and prevent sewer overflows, and plan system improvements that provide sufficient capacity and meet current and future regulatory requirements.
You will collaborate across disciplines, working closely with engineers, scientists, consultants, and community partners, to develop conceptual capital projects that will drive billions of dollars in future investment. From planning upgrades to the combined sewer system to improving treatment plants and separated conveyance system, your contributions will directly influence how the County delivers reliable, sustainable wastewater services for generations to come.
This role is ideal for an excellent communicator who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and is motivated by complex planning challenges that have real-world impact. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your technical and analytical skills while supporting King County’s commitment to innovation, equity, and environmental stewardship. Work is performed in a hybrid environment with a balance of remote collaboration and onsite engagement.
This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About The Team:
The Combined System and Utility Planning and Treatment and Separated Conveyance Planning groups serve a critical role at the leading edge of Wastewater Treatment’s capital delivery pipeline by identifying future projects that help to shape the future of the region’s wastewater system. Wastewater Treatment’s capital delivery program has over 250 employees, is on track to deliver over $500M in capital projects this year and is anticipated to expand to deliver nearly $2B per year within a decade. Our work within the Planning Groups guides major investments that improve public health and protect water quality and the environment in the Puget Sound region for decades to come.
Our teams value adaptability and collaboration and we’re committed to solutions that reflect King County’s priorities for environmental stewardship, quality of service, social equity, and financial accountability. Our team members are empowered to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn and grow from each other, and drive innovative approaches to complex challenges.
Highlights of working with us include:
Supportive, collaborative colleagues
Professional growth and learning opportunities
Flexible schedules and work arrangements
A mix of independent and team-based work
As strategic partners in planning and project delivery, our staff help guide major decisions that strengthen King County’s wastewater system now and for the future.