WRIA 8 Projects & Funding Coordinator (Term-Limited)

The Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA 8) leads local watershed-based salmon recovery efforts in the Cedar River, Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Bear Creek, and Issaquah Creek basins. For over twenty years, local governments and community group partners in WRIA 8 have collaborated to plan and implement priority salmon habitat and restoration projects, integrate best available science into salmon recovery, monitor salmon populations and habitat conditions, and support salmon recovery outreach and education efforts.  The WRIA 8 salmon recovery team builds and supports collaborative partnerships to implement the WRIA 8 Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan, which guides recovery locally and is a watershed chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan.

The WRIA 8 salmon recovery team is housed in the King County Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), which is at the forefront of efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face climate change. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies for protecting working farms and forests, restoring habitat, and ensuring the county residents have equitable access to green space. WLRD plans, designs, and builds flood and stormwater facilities that help to protect people and infrastructure while also enhancing habitat for salmon.  Our Environmental Lab and Science programs maintain high-quality data sets used for long term water quality trend analysis and use Best Available Science to inform decision making.  We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which will preserve our last, most important natural lands and urban green spaces over the next 30 years. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production.  These, and many more programs, make WLRD an exciting and fulfilling place to work.

For more information about the WRIA 8 salmon recovery effort, please visit our website.

About the Role:

The WRIA 8 Project and Funding Coordinator’s (Project/Program Manager III) primary responsibility is to coordinate development and implementation of priority projects and programs to achieve the WRIA 8 Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan’s salmon habitat protection and restoration goals. The position manages WRIA 8’s annual state and local grant funding rounds, serves in a key salmon recovery planning role, works with project sponsors to develop project and grant proposals, and tracks implementation metrics and funding opportunities. The position also manages our Project Innovation and Community Grants program, which funds early stages of capital project development in key areas of the watershed and advances community engagement and equity goals by bringing in new partners and engaging diverse communities in salmon recovery.

This is a Term-Limited Temporary or Special Duty Assignment with an expected duration through January 29, 2027.

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

About the Team:

The WRIA 8 Project and Funding Coordinator position offers an opportunity to work collaboratively with a unique and diverse community of local government partners, Tribes, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders to support implementation of salmon recovery in WRIA 8. This position is part of a staff team that is funded primarily through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) among local governments, with the team providing the technical, policy, and planning support necessary to implement the WRIA 8 Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan (WRIA 8 Plan). The WRIA 8 Plan has a strong technical foundation and guides actions to be taken by local jurisdictions and other organizations to help recover salmon in the watershed. The position manages an exciting and varied work program, which includes opportunities to help develop and support implementation of priority habitat protection and restoration projects, and to work at the regional level to collaborate on policy and planning efforts with other watersheds around Puget Sound and the state.

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 WRIA 8 Projects and Funding Coordinator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Coordinate habitat protection and restoration project and program development, implementation, tracking, and reporting. Work with project sponsors to develop funding strategies, improve grant applications, and scope and phase projects.
• Administer WRIA 8’s annual grant round processes to solicit, evaluate, rank, and recommend allocation of funding through the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration programs and the King County Flood Control District’s Cooperative Watershed Management grant program.
• Analyze planning, regulatory, project, program, and policy proposals to assess implications for salmonids listed under the Endangered Species Act. 
• Prepare reports, papers, decision documents, speaking notes, press releases, newsletters, meeting packets, grants, interlocal agreements, and written and oral presentations.
• Participate in local, regional, and state planning and implementation efforts and forums on behalf of the WRIA 8 team. 

Qualifications You Bring: 

• At least five years of progressively responsible analytical, planning, and project management work experience in one or more of the following fields: fisheries biology, conservation biology, freshwater ecology, natural resources management, environmental science, public administration, environmental planning, or closely related field.
• Experience facilitating groups, developing meeting agendas, running meetings, and documenting meeting activities and follow-up needs.
• Familiarity with the Endangered Species Act, salmon habitat restoration and protection methods, state salmon recovery legislation, habitat grant funding programs, and/or salmon habitat needs.
• Experience and ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with multiple, diverse groups representing varying perspectives (e.g., elected officials and local government staff, Tribes, state and federal agencies, community organizations, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills and ability.
• Team-oriented individual with demonstrated ability to grasp issues quickly, exercise initiative and judgement, function independently on assigned projects and keep team-members appraised of key issues and developments. 

Competencies You Bring:  

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• 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.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

Required Licenses/Certifications: 

A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. 

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading and facilitating groups to make recommendations or decisions. 
• Demonstrated experience presenting information to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of local and regional salmon recovery and watershed management, especially in WRIA 8.
• Knowledge and understanding of tribal treaty rights.

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 represented by Teamsters Local 117.
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated end date of January 29, 2027. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.

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
• Cover Letter
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)

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 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.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

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.

Salary : $110,088 - $139,542