Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist

This position is open to the general public and King County Employees.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) Environmental and Community and Services Section (ECSS) is seeking a professional with experience in landscape design and construction oversight. In the role of Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III, this position will support capital projects and programs with landscape design and construction, as well as Division-wide planning efforts where landscaping is involved. This is a great opportunity to play a critical role in upholding King County’s values of responsible environmental stewardship while supporting projects that deliver essential public infrastructure to communities. This position offers opportunities to apply and advance knowledge of green stormwater infrastructure, landscape architecture, horticulture, botany, landscape construction and maintenance inspection. The position includes a mix of office and field work.

About The Role
This position will use technical knowledge of landscape design and implementation to support a wide range of capital projects and programs during all phases of project delivery. As a Water Quality Planner/Project Manager III, this position will independently support capital projects to ensure that landscape designs meet project goals, satisfy code requirements, and meet the Division’s operational and maintenance needs for the location. During construction, this position will provide inspection services to ensure contract conformance during the installation of various landscape features, including planting and seeding, temporary and permanent irrigation systems, fencing, and green stormwater infrastructure. This position will also track and inspect landscape maintenance work. Typical project settings include wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, wet weather treatment stations, and other industrial, municipal or residential areas containing WTD infrastructure.

About The Team
WTD’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound. Not only does WTD operate around the clock to protect a healthy environment, but WTD’s vital infrastructure also supports economic activity that enables our region to flourish. WTD’s Environmental and Community Services Section (ECSS) has over 110 employees supporting the strategic development of the largest capital program in King County, with projects and programs stretching across 2,200 square miles and serving a population of over two million people. The ECSS team provides capital projects with permitting, environmental review, mitigation and restoration, real estate acquisition and management, community engagement, and property asset management. The Landscape Design and Construction Quality Control Specialist position is a new addition to ECSS, who will work most closely with mitigation & monitoring and water quality team members.

ECSS is committed to WTD’s core values of environmental stewardship, quality of service, and financial accountability. Our team members are empowered to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn and grow from each other, and create innovative solutions to challenges. Our long-standing commitment to equity and social justice, consistent with King County’s values, makes our teams stronger and allows us to serve King County residents more effectively, especially related to environmental determinants of equity.

About WTD
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. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a King County Employee, 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:

• Independently provide subject matter expertise in review and development of landscape design drawings and specifications for capital projects.
• Inspect landscape construction activities, including site preparation, planting, seeding, irrigation installation, fencing, and maintenance work to ensure conformance with contract drawings and specifications.
• Review contractor submittals related to landscape elements.
• Coordinate landscaping work with capital project teams, contractors, external consultants, and operational staff to support successful outcomes.
• Inspect maintenance of Green Stormwater Infrastructure facilities.
• Help solve landscape design, construction, and maintenance issues.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Two years of training in landscape construction and/or design or related technical fields plus two years of work experience in landscape design, construction inspection, or professional landscaping; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting landscape drawings and specifications, and guiding landscape design.
• Extensive knowledge of western Washington ornamental and wild plant identification and culture, and vegetation monitoring.
• Knowledge of green stormwater infrastructure design and maintenance.
• Specialized knowledge of landscape construction methods, techniques and cost factors, and inspections, with emphasis on soil preparations, plant materials, plant installations, fencing and irrigation.
• Knowledge of noxious weed identification, control techniques and state and local regulations governing herbicide use.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Required Licenses- A valid Washington State Driver’s License or an alternate ability to get to meetings and field sites not served by transit at varying times of day. 

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certification
• Landscape Architect’s License
• Certified Arborist

Work Location: The unit 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 the Collaboration space at 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 exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Technical Employees’ Association (TEA) - Wastewater Treatment Division,

Physical Requirements: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel or crouch. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. You will navigate uneven terrain and be in an outside environment up to 35 hours per week.

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: (subject to change)

• Technical Screening - (tentative) 11/30 - 12/03
• Interviews -  12/07-12/10

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• 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 at Facebook,X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and 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 (formerlyTwitter), 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 Helen David 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.