Rural and Regional Services Section Manager

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Environmental Program Section Manager career service positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Are you a leader committed to stewarding our region’s water and land to benefit salmon, wildlife, and all the people of King County? Do you want to lead mission-driven teams who protect open space, restore habitat, steward land, and leverage environmental markets to build resiliency in our watersheds? Join our leadership team at King County’s Water and Land Resources Division as the Rural and Regional Services Section Manager (Environmental Programs Section Manager)!

The Rural and Regional Services Section is one of nine within WLRD that collectively serve as King County’s “watershed utility.” We are a passionate and dedicated workforce of nearly 450 supported by a biennial budget of ~$450 million. We are builders, responders, scientists, data analysts, innovators, educators, and first and foremost stewards of this extraordinary place we call home. Our workplace is the environment where people live, work, play, and thrive. We are dedicated to clean water and healthy land and take actions to strengthen the resilience of our watersheds for current and future generations.

About the Role:

The Rural and Regional Services Section Manager (RRS Manager) is responsible for leading the Rural and Regional Services Section, which consists of five teams totaling 70 staff implementing a range of programs that protect open space and support farming, forestry, salmon recovery, and stewardship. The manager collaborates with and across these teams along with others in the division, department, and enterprise and with our external partners to increase the collective impact of WLRD’s services.

Specific RRS manager duties include the following:

• Hire, supervise and manage performance, including the on-going development of professional, technical, administrative, and policy staff as well as unit managers.
• Manage the section’s business operations, including developing budgets, work programs and staffing allocations, and oversee budget tracking and financial analyses.
• Make decisions on work plan priorities, schedules and staffing assignments.
• Sustain and strengthen relations with advisory bodies, such as the Agricultural Commission; Rural Forest Commission; salmon recovery forums; the King County Noxious Weed Board; Snoqualmie Fish, Farm, Flood; and others.
• Work collaboratively with other government and regulatory agencies, departments within the County, formal advisory bodies, and the public to address environmental policies and issues related to land conservation, salmon recovery, and stewardship.
• Promote equity into section workforce, workplace, and programs to ensure all people have equitable access to green space, healthy land, and clean water and are better prepared to meet a changing climate.
• Coordinate program delivery through the engagement of five federally recognized Tribes and support consultation when requested.
• Support implementation of the Land Conservation Initiative in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Division and the DNRP Director’s Office as well as key advisory bodies including the Open Space Equity Cabinet and the Conservation Futures Advisor Committee.

The RRS manager is a member of the WLRD’s leadership team, collaborating across nine sections on a portfolio of regional conservation services that improve water quality, reduce toxic threats, provide applied scientific and environmental laboratory services, and reduce flood risk. RRS also collaborates with WLRD’s stormwater program, which is the one service provided only to unincorporated county residents by reducing drainage problems, improving water quality, and restoring surface waters.

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

About the Team:

The Rural and Regional Services Section consists of five teams totaling over 70 skilled project managers, educators, administrators, and environmental scientists:

• The Open Space Acquisitions (OSA) Unit facilitates the investment of more than $100 million annually of Conservation Futures funding to protect land through easements and fee acquisition in King County and its cities.
• OSA also leverages environmental markets to increase environmental impact through three programs: Transfer of Development Rights , Mitigation Reserves , and Forest Carbon .
• The Regional Partnerships Unit (RPU) hosts Basin Stewards who work with landowners who want to voluntarily sell or ease their land for conservation purposes.
• RPU also collaborates with more than 50 city, non-profit, and tribal partners on salmon recovery in four watersheds ( Snoqualmie , Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish , Green/Duwamish/Vashon Island , Lake Sammamish kokanee ).
• The Agriculture , Forestry and Incentives team supports farmers to grow local food, including improving farmland access for immigrant and refugee farmers, helps steward urban and rural forests with DNRP’s Parks Division and community partners, and provides technical assistance to landowners that realize tax reductions for voluntary stewardship.
• Finally, the Noxious Weeds Program works with public and private landowners to minimize the economic, environmental, and social impacts of noxious weeds.

The impact of RRS’ programs is informed, supported, and amplified by nine advisory boards and sponsors. RRS also works closely with the Parks Division on open space protection and stewardship and with several of WLRD’s other sections such as the Capital Section to build habitat projects, the Science and Environmental Laboratory sections on salmon recovery, and the River and Floodplain Management Section in coordinating the delivery of multi-benefit projects

WLRD is one of four divisions within the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), an organization with a long-standing reputation for getting big things done through innovation and collaboration. DNRP’s mission is to provide regional parks and trails, protect the region’s water, air, land, natural habitats and historic properties, and reduce, safely dispose of and create resources from wastewater and solid waste. We are more than 2,000 dedicated scientists, engineers, policy experts, planners, educators, administrators, and builders committed to increasing our conservation impact and making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our True North and Values define the way we act and set expectations for ourselves and one another. In addition, we implement cost-effective approaches and actions described in Clean Water Healthy Habitat and the Strategic Climate Action Plan . King County is an employer that provides great pay and benefits and places a premium on health and well-being.

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 Rural and Regional Services Section 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 Water and Land Resources 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.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:
Provide leadership to multi-disciplinary teams to foster a collaborative, accountable, inclusive, and diverse culture through ongoing engagement and communication with section staff and division leaders. Set and oversee implementation of strategic priorities for the section in alignment with WLRD and DNRP priorities. Supervise program supervisors to ensure timely hiring, performance, job progression, training, coaching, and discipline. Oversee, coordinate, and support the section’s operations to inform budget, allocate staff, monitor progress, and ensure work is on schedule to ensure timely and successful outcomes for our customers in King County. Collaborate with internal division and departmental programs , such as capital, stormwater, rivers, and parks, and external partners , including cities, tribes, non-governmental organizations, to implement a regional approach stewardship that builds greater resiliency in our watersheds.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Leader experience: Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practice of leadership, supervision, and human resources management leading teams of at least 10 or more staff over sustained period of time.
• Organizational savvy: Organizational positioning skills, including demonstrated experience developing and maintaining working relationships with various agencies, tribes, jurisdictions, residents, and businesses.
• Conservation experience: Working knowledge of conservation and natural resource management issues, challenges, and opportunities.
• Equity: Experience applying equity principles to workforce, workplace, and/or program practices.
• Leadership abilities, including strategic mindset, courage, team building, and conflict resolution in the field of natural resources, sustainability or conservation.

Competencies You Bring:

• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Ability to develop culturally competent teams with capacity to apply equity and social justice principles in their work.
• Experience working with tribal governments, including government-to-government consultation.
• Knowledge of state and federal agencies related to natural resource management such as Department of Ecology, Recreation and Conservation Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife, NMFS, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Experience in working with elected decision makers at multiple levels of government.
• A sense of humor.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The Rural and Regional Services 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 exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

Application and Selection Process:

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.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Morgan Knight Hermann at 206-477-9092 or mhermann@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Water and Land Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our webs ite , 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.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.
Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 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, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 5/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

Show more