Grant & Partnership Programs Supervisor

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is seeking a dedicated, collaborative leader to manage the delivery of our grant and partnership programs. We need proven leaders who will leverage their program management expertise and staff supervisory experience to strategically resolve challenges and effectively support programs that serve our local communities.

WTD protects public health and the environment and provides equitable, inclusive services to residents and businesses across King County. To our agency, success means providing clean water safely and reliably to the next generation. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

The successful candidates will collaborate with various business sections of our agency, regional partners, and community organizations.

• Our regional wastewater treatment system has a big job to do. It operates around the clock to sustain a healthy environment and enables our region to thrive by supporting equitable economic development.
• You will work with teams from across all King County workgroups and lines of business to help shape how we as an agency engage and support our communities.
• You will supervise a team supporting WTD’s grant and partnership programs that serve organizations throughout our service area. These programs provide a significant investment in community-driven projects, clean water, and healthy communities.

About the Role: 

This position will supervise a grant and partnership programs team within the Education & Engagement Unit of WTD. This position will work with program staff on strategic planning and alignment; continuous improvement of processes, accountability and key performance indicators; and evolving and expanding programs to meet the needs of WTD and communities.

This position works with the Education & Engagement Unit Manager for work across the Division (WTD), Department (DNRP) and throughout King County and in representing the Unit’s grant and partnership programs with internal work groups, external partners, and the public.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:

The Grant and Partnership Programs Supervisor position is an exciting opportunity to support a diverse program team within WTD’s Education & Engagement Unit. This position works with program managers and staff to oversee the Water Works Grants and Partners in Water programs and teams. These programs lead to sustainable and high-quality community partnerships, engagement, services, and opportunities for local organizations and communities. 

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.

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 Grant and Partnership Programs Supervisor, 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: 

• Strategic development and continuous improvement – lead strategic planning and program development; establish program goals, annual program work plans, implementation timelines, key performance indicators and evaluation methods. Align strategic development with Unit, Division, Department and agency strategic planning, policies and process change. 
• Staff supervision – manage the grant and partner program team of 3-4 staff; hire and mentor, establish individual work plans, set performance metrics, and conduct performance evaluations. 
• Systems management – oversee the full grant process from advertisement to contract close-out using grant database platforms, customer relations management (CRM) systems, grant and program evaluation and reporting methods; manage the WaterWorks Grant Ranking Committee (one of King County’s Boards and Commissions); coach and build capacity in staff, committee, and grantees; coordinate with Council and governmental relations for the biannual legislative process. 
• Financial and legal accountability - ensure legal requirements, accountability of program requirements and fiscal reporting are met in all grant programs that distribute approximately $8M each grant cycle. Manage grant contracts; approve program expenditures; and work with finance staff and unit manager for annual budgeting. Respond to audit requests and questions from internal or external parties including King County Council. Ensure compliance with policy updates and protocols for King County Boards and Commissions, and with legislative and policy requirements at the local and state level.
• Communication - act as lead for written materials and representing the programs to internal and external audiences including delivery of trainings and briefings to partners and impacted parties such as senior managers, elected officials, local sewer utilities, and committees. Develop written program reports; and create narratives for storytelling on social media, blogs, websites, etc.
• Grant and Partnership leadership - serve as a subject expert on granting and partnership programs and advise other division and department leads; share best practices and coordinate with other King County grant programs; provide content to regulatory compliance reports such as the NPDES report, LDW source control report; as well as King County strategic plans for Equity and Social Justice, Workforce, Strategic Climate Action, etc. 

Qualifications You Bring:

• 5+ years experience managing grant programs including distribution of grant funds at minimum of $1M annually; managing full grant lifecycle administration, contract negotiation, budget & scope development, compliance monitoring, and financial oversight.

• 5+ years experience in supervising direct reports including hiring and mentoring, setting performance metrics, and conducting performance evaluations.

• 5+ years experience in managing community partnership programs including working with diverse partners to inform and improve programs and processes.

• Knowledge of regional environment and/or water issues which is critical for accurate review of proposals, scope of work and acting as a technical advisor for staff, committee members and decision makers who make funding decisions.

• Established ability to manage systems and logistics needed to run successful grant and partnership programs including experience with grant database platforms, customer relations management (CRM) systems, grant and program evaluation and reporting methods.

• Strong communication skills in writing and public speaking including experience in delivering trainings and briefings to partners and impacted parties; briefings for elected officials; developing written program reports; and creating narratives for storytelling on social media, blogs, websites, etc.  

Competencies You Bring: 

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

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.

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

• 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.

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring

• Experience in grant program management within a large organization or government agency. 

Working Conditions:

•  Work Location: The Education & Engagement 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. 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 Teamsters Local 117 – Wastewater Treatment Division, Supervisors Salary reflects $1.00 per hour contribution to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust.

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. 

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: 

• Technical interview: Virtual 10/15 - 10/21

• 1st round  interviews: Virtual 10/28/ - 10/30
• 2nd Round Interview: Onsite 11/02 - 11/04

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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 atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTubeand our WTD Blog.

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 Mark Workinger 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.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.