Permitting Specialist - Program Coordinator

Summary

The Environmental and Community Services Section (ECSS) seeks a Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III – Permitting Specialist to join the Capital Projects Local Permitting Team. The role will provide strategic permitting guidance to program and project teams, manage regulatory permitting processes, and support delivery of essential public infrastructure while emphasizing customer service, work‑life balance, and collaboration.

The Permitting Specialist will lead and coordinate permitting activities for projects within the Wastewater Treatment Division. Responsibilities include aligning permitting work with project schedules, ensuring compliance, shaping permitting strategy, developing scopes for consultants, fostering partnerships with jurisdictions, and supporting successful project delivery.

• Project Management and Compliance: manage permitting activities across multiple capital projects, track submittals and approvals, ensure alignment with project scopes, monitor compliance, and contribute to reporting and KPIs.
• Consultant and Contract Management: develop, negotiate, and review consultant scopes, oversee performance, coordinate resources, and ensure contracting scopes support delivery.
• Risk Mitigation and Quality Assurance: identify and elevate permitting risks, propose mitigation strategies, and perform QA/QC reviews of work products.
• Collaboration and Mentorship: participate in meetings with program teams, internal units, and permitting staff; foster collaboration across disciplines and provide guidance.
• Project Expertise: apply knowledge of permitting strategy, regulatory codes, and wastewater constraints to support capital projects from design through closeout.
• Local Permitting Expertise: develop relationships with permitting jurisdictions, serve as primary contact, document requirements and timelines, address roadblocks, and share expertise at regular huddles.

• Experience developing and executing permitting strategies for capital projects, including knowledge of pathways for land use, street improvement plans, zoning, shoreline development, building, grading, and other permits.
• Experience with permitting on public sector utility or infrastructure projects, ideally in wastewater, stormwater, or environmental capital programs.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible permitting experience for complex capital projects within wastewater, utility, or public infrastructure sectors.
• Strong understanding of jurisdictional coordination and experience navigating municipal, county, and state permitting processes.
• Excellent communication skills, confident speaking in meetings, and ability to explain complex concepts clearly.

• Certified Planner – American Planning Association.
• Course(s) in Project Management.

• Manages Complexity – solving problems with complex, high‑quantity information.
• Strategic Mindset – anticipating future possibilities and translating into strategies.
• Instills Trust – earning confidence through honesty and integrity.
• Communicates Effectively – delivering clear communications to varied audiences.
• Collaborates – building partnerships to meet shared objectives.

• Location:
  
  King Street Center – 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Schedule:
  
  Full‑time, 40‑hour week, Monday‑Friday; hybrid with days in office and telecommute. Flexible with 4x10 or 5x8 schedule with manager approval.
• Union Representation:
  Technical Employees Association (TEA).

Submit a complete application and resume. Additional documents will not be considered during the minimum qualification screening. For questions or alternate language requests, contact Dan Sherman at dasherman.

King County offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, parental leave, flexible spending, wellness programs, and career development. For details, visit the Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity 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.