Who is Eligible:  This position is open to the public and all King County Employees. This recruitment may also be used to fill future career service opportunities.

Come join our team as we support multi-jurisdictional efforts to conserve working farms and forests, restore habitat for fish and other wildlife, control noxious weeds, and acquire open space. The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), within King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), is looking for a Land Use Specialist (Project/Program Manager III) to join the Agriculture, Forestry, and Incentives Unit (AFI). 

Why This is a Great Opportunity: 

The County’s Farms and Forests are important contributors to the County’s economy and provide wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater impacts, mitigate against climate change, and improve human health, in addition to supporting farm and forest businesses and creating jobs. 

The Land Use Specialist (Project/Program Manager III) will help farm and forest landowners establish and/or maintain environmentally sustainable and economically viable businesses. Work would include projects in both rural and urban-unincorporated regions of King County. 

This person will serve as a subject matter expert and support WLRD staff to address regulatory and permitting issues, and will also help advance priority actions identified through the Snoqualmie Valley Fish, Farm, Flood watershed planning effort. Daily, the person in this position has an opportunity to enhance our environment, find balance among competing resource needs, and make a difference in the lives of residents in King County.

About the Role: 

The Land Use Specialist will lead two key program areas that strive to balance potentially competing resource needs: land use and regulatory compliance, and support for the Snoqualmie Valley Fish, Farm, Flood watershed planning effort (FFF). The person in this position will serve as one of the primary WLRD staff members responsible for understanding the regulatory/permitting landscape and leading efforts to resolve challenges faced by owners of farm and forest lands in King County.
 
 The Program Manager will also support WLRD engagement with FFF. Work associated with those two program areas will be approached with a multi-benefit mindset that addresses environmental and community needs and is intended to find creative solutions to complex problems. The person in this position will frequently collaborate with county, state, and federal agencies, partner organizations and individual landowners. This work aligns with several King County initiatives, including Clean Water Healthy Habitat, Strategic Climate Action Plan, Local Food Initiative, and the WLRD Equity and Social Justice Action Plan. This position will report directly to the AFI Unit Manager and will have no direct reports but may supervise temporary staff.

Key Program Areas Include:

• External technical support, education, and problem-solving for private landowners and organizations facing issues related to King County land use code.
• Internal technical guidance about regulatory issues for WLRD staff engaged in project planning that includes working lands and both rural and urban unincorporated portions of King County.
• Review of King County Code that pertains to working lands, identification of opportunities for code improvement, and collaboration with other County staff to enact changes.
• Support for FFF, which includes assistance with meeting planning and execution, tracking progress and identifying barriers to success, and pursuing funding for priority actions.
• Advancement of strategies that are intended to support farm, and forest economic viability, which includes strategy development and grant writing.  

About the Team: 

The Agriculture, Forestry, and Incentives Unit (AFI) is part of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Rural and Regional Services Section, which supports multi-jurisdictional efforts to conserve working farms and forests, restore habitat for fish and other wildlife, control noxious weeds, and acquire open space. AFI is comprised of a team of dedicated individuals that support forestland and farmland owners, provide farmland access to farmers from historically underserved communities, preserve important working lands and other types of open space, and contributes to efforts focused on increasing environmental health and climate resiliency of urban and rural landscapes throughout the county. This position will directly contribute to the County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, Strategic Climate Action Plan, and Local Food Initiative.

 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 Land Use Specialist (PPM III), 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 Land & Resources Division with 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.

• External Technical Support and Education: Research King County Code to answer questions raised by landowners and organizations; help develop solutions for regulatory/permitting challenges and guide affected parties through the project-approval process; create permitting and regulatory guidance materials for a public audience; participate in outreach and education efforts for public and other interested parties; in cooperation with Department of Local Services, support the Agricultural Technical Review Committee, (develop agendas, facilitate meetings, prepare meeting notes, research issues, track progress, lead follow-up actions).  
  
  
• Internal Technical Support: Research King County Code to answer land use questions raised by WLRD staff; collaborate with Code Enforcement staff to resolve challenging code issues that affect management of farm and forest land; recommend solutions to permitting and regulatory barriers identified by WLRD staff; support staff liaisons with research and education for King County Agriculture and Rural Forest commissions; provide expert opinion about cases brought before the Office of the Ombuds and Hearing Examiner. 
  
  
• Land Use Code: Collaborate with WLRD and DLS staff to identify needed code changes to manage forest and farmland more efficiently and effectively; assist with development of code language; review existing and proposed legislation (county and state) and assess land management implications; communicate findings to both internal and external audiences (e.g. Agriculture and Rural Forest commissions).
  
  
• FFF Support: Provide support or leadership with internal coordination; develop agendas and conduct meetings of FFF Implementation Oversight Committee and caucus co-chairs; track progress on FFF priority actions and assist to overcome challenges/roadblocks; prepare progress and annual reports; communicate regularly with FFF participants; pursue funding for implementation of priority actions in collaboration with FFF partners.  
  
  
• Strategy Development: Support program leads to develop implementation plans for priority actions highlighted in existing plans (e.g., FFF recommended actions, Snoqualmie Valley Agriculture Strategic Plan, 30-Year Forest Plan, Strategic Climate Action Plan); identify potential sources of funding and assist with proposal development. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Public Planning, or other closely related discipline OR a combination of education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties described in this job announcement.
• History of holding positions of responsibility related to permitting, land use planning and code compliance.
• Understanding of regulatory and permitting challenges faced by private landowners and experience working directly with private farm or forest landowners to resolve issues related to land use code and permitting.
• Working knowledge of King County Land Use Code, and state and federal laws that pertain to management of farmland and forestland.
• Experience coordinating complex projects that involved participation by members from diverse areas of interest.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner with messaging tailored to the target audience. Experience speaking with stakeholder groups, agency partners and private landowners and explaining complex issues.
• Proficiency using Microsoft programs for document and spreadsheet production, presentation development, project management, data analysis, and online document collaboration and planning (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).

• Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization and with partners/interested parties to achieve shared objectives. Represents program’s interests while being fair to others and their areas of expertise. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains trust and support of others.

• Communicates Effectively: Effective in a variety of communication settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, and among diverse audience with range of understanding of issues. Attentively listens to others. Adjusts communication style and format to fit the audience and the message. Provides timely, concise, and helpful information to others across the organization. Encourages open express of diverse ideas and opinions.

• Customer Focus: Gains insight and understanding of the needs of colleagues, customers, and partners. Identifies opportunities and delivers solutions. Establishes and maintains effective relationships.

• Drives Results: Strong focus on priorities of organization. Persists in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks. Strives to meet or exceed program goals and annual work plans. Assists others to achieve their goals. Maintains a high level of integrity while pursuing goals.

• Balances Stakeholders: Understands internal and external stakeholder requirements, expectations, and needs. Balances interests of multiple stakeholders. Considers cultural and ethical factors in decision-making process. Acts fairly despite conflicting demands of stakeholders.
   
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance of King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements. 
• 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 not overtime eligible. 

•  Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117-P&T.

Application materials will be screened for clarity and, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position.

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
  William Herbert
  Human Resource Analyst
  206-477-5494
  wherbert@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website and check us out at Social Media Links.

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.  

 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.