Sustainability Specialist

Summary

This position is open to all qualified candidates.

Wastewater treatment is critical to water quality and the health and wellbeing of our communities. Improving our system’s sustainability can offer a wide variety of benefits, including addressing climate change, reducing material extraction and waste, expanding green stormwater solutions, minimizing energy and water usage, protecting habitat and trees, and supporting equity and social justice efforts.

This position will support WTD capital project and operations staff in advancing sustainability to meet the goals and commitments of the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan. The role will include work on WTD capital projects that can vary from smaller improvements to existing assets to the planning, design and construction of new, large utility infrastructure. The position will also support the tracking and annual reporting of progress toward sustainability commitments related to the reduction of water and energy use, sustainable materials, renewable energy, and waste diversion.

It will support training WTD staff on sustainability topics and integrating sustainability into their work.

Along with sustainability and wastewater treatment knowledge and experience, the successful candidate will have a strong commitment and passion for sustainable design and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Candidates will be self-motivated and detail oriented, and they have strong interpersonal skills, as this position works across many groups within WTD.

With about 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents.

Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.

This position will be supervised by the Climate, Energy and Sustainability Supervisor. The Climate, Energy and Sustainability work group is part of the Resource Recovery Unit in WTD’s Operations and Maintenance Section. The Resource Recovery Unit strives to bring valuable resources, technology, and sound business practices together to deliver products and programs that inspire our customers to be part of an environmentally sustainable future—today.

It is responsible for ensuring safe, environmentally friendly products are made from an urban renewable waste stream including Loop e biosolids soil amendment, recycled water, and renewable energy, as well as managing programs including sustainability, energy, technology assessment, and nutrient management.

The Climate, Energy and Sustainability work group includes the Sustainability Program. This team is focused on development and implementation of King County sustainability policies, including the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) and Green Building Ordinance (GBO). Work performed by the team includes efforts to increase green building, use of low-embodied carbon construction materials, green O&M efforts, and construction and demolition waste diversion in WTD operations and capital projects.

WTD’s mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to future generations that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice.

We value diverse perspectives and…