Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager - Brightwater

Are you looking for an opportunity to lead a highly trained team of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) staff and be a part of creating the strategic direction for a complex wastewater system? The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) in King County (KC) is hiring a leader for the Brightwater Treatment Plant. This position will lead a team of 40 Operations, maintenance and Facilities staff, oversee the planning and processes for facilities maintenance of the Brightwater system, and be an active member of the O&M Leadership team.

Working for KC WTD provides you with a work-life balance and benefits to support you and your family. You will also gain opportunities for growth through training, conferences hosted by leaders in the industry, and working across functional groups within the Division.

We are looking for creative and innovative thinking that drives us to continuously improve public service. Tap into your desire to serve the public and discover new and better ways to make a meaningful impact by joining the WTD O&M Leadership team.

About the Role:
This is a leadership position and will serve on the Operations and Maintenance Section Leadership team. This team is responsible for the strategic planning of the section, developing leadership skills among our supervisors, providing growth opportunities for our staff, and implementing metrics to deliver key performance measures that contribute to the overall growth and success of WTD Operations and Maintenance.

In this role, the successful candidate will apply their skillset in the areas of planning, coordination, scope, budget, schedule management, monitoring and control, and reporting in the maintenance and development of the Brightwater Treatment System.

About the Team:
The Operations and Maintenance Section of the Wastewater Treatment Division is tasked with ensuring safe, environmentally protective wastewater treatment for King County, serving 34 wholesale customers and approximately 2.3 million residents. The Section includes five treatment facilities, 48 pump stations, 400 miles of conveyance piping and treats an average of 185MGD of wastewater. We are a clean water utility, recovering resources such as biosolids, recycled water and biogas, continually seeking new ways to capture beneficial uses of resources that would otherwise be lost.

WTD is committed to the principles of equity and social justice (ESJ). We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County. Our department vision is to provide sustainable and livable communities and a clean and healthy natural environment that supports a prosperous and resilient economy.

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We partner with regulatory agencies 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 services 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 safeguard our precious water resources.

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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, you 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 Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). 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 Brightwater’s operations, maintenance, and facilities teams through supervisors and technical staff, establishing priorities, setting performance expectations, developing employees, and promoting a safe, inclusive, and accountable work environment.

• Oversee daily treatment operations and facilities maintenance to support reliable service, regulatory compliance, employee safety, and protection of public health and the environment.

• Direct maintenance planning and prioritize preventive and corrective work to improve equipment reliability, address operational risks, and preserve treatment plant assets.

• Participate in the Operations and Maintenance Section Leadership Team, developing and implementing strategic priorities, coordinating across teams, and using performance measures to evaluate results and guide improvements.

• Develop and monitor assigned operating budgets, evaluate staffing and resource needs, and recommend adjustments to support operational priorities and responsible stewardship of public funds.

• Coordinate with engineering, capital project, process, safety, and other support teams to ensure projects and facility changes address operating needs, maintainability, and readiness for service.

• Lead and coordinate the plant’s response to operational disruptions and emergencies in collaboration with section leadership and appropriate support teams.

• Manage employee and labor relations matters in coordination with Human Resources and Labor Relations, including interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements, conducting fact-finding investigations, resolving conflicts, and recommending appropriate corrective action.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Experience in leading teams, including team building, building consensus, developing employees, and working effectively with a diverse team.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment and conveyance systems, including the regulations and requirements as they relate to operation and maintenance of these facilities.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and systems operation.
• Knowledge of budget techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of project management principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of labor relations principles, practices, and techniques.
• Skill in writing and communicating technical and non-technical information; skill in reading and interpreting technical information and making presentations to non-technical and technical audiences.
• Knowledge of current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting the wastewater treatment industry.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.

• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

• Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

• Drives Engagement: Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.

• Racially Just: Identify and replace racist systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Washington State Group IV Wastewater Operator’s license (or out-of-state equivalency) or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to provide timely or emergency transportation to work locations with limited or no public transportation.
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Proven ability to lead diverse teams, including union-represented employees.

• Experience aligning operations with organizational goals and environmental sustainability.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public presentations.

• Experience with performance management, coaching, and workforce development.

• Demonstrated experience with SCADA systems and process automation, preventive and predictive maintenance programs, Regulatory compliance (e.g., NPDES permits, EPA/State reporting, emergency response and disaster preparedness, budget development and capital improvement planning.

Workplace Exposures:

• The successful candidate will be working within a wastewater treatment plant and potentially exposed to biological hazards, high voltage, equipment that automatically starts and stops, chemicals, loud noise, and other environments typically found in an industrial setting.

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117 - WTD Section and Assistant Managers.

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 a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.  

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment (dates subject to change): 

• Technical Assessment: week of 12/7/26
• Panel Interview: week of 12/14/26

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

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

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP 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 Rodney Dungo at [email protected].

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.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.