JOB
This position is open to all King County employees and the general public.
King County Road Services Division is seeking an experienced civil engineer to join the Engineering Section as a Drainage Engineer / Project Manager (Engineer III). This position leads drainage improvement projects from design through construction primarily using County Roads design and construction staff with minor assistance from design consultants and private construction contractors. This position will be focused on solving drainage problems and slide repairs within County right-of-way.
The role carries primary responsibility for technical review and compliance with King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual. You'll work alongside a team of engineers and support staff who take the technical work seriously and value getting it right in the field.
About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.
To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division.
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
-
Serve in a lead technical capacity on drainage, emergency repair, and fish passage projects, coordinating daily work with engineering and field staff.
-
Coordinate drainage improvement project construction with county crew chiefs.
-
Manage assigned capital improvement projects, including schedules, budgets, and work plans.
-
Lead a team of three Engineer II’s under the supervision of an Engineer IV.
-
Prepare road drainage plans, slide repair plans, and drainage design reports to meet King County Road Standards, Surface Water Design Manual, and local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
-
Serve as liaison between the County and the public, consultants, permitting agencies, operations, engineering and maintenance staff (e.g. maintenance supervisors, crews), and other internal and external staff.
-
Lead the review of construction documents and design packages by in-house and consultant staff.
-
Develop and manage the preparation of hydrologic reports, hydraulic analyses, modeling reports, contract plans, specifications, special provisions, and cost estimates.
-
Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and resolve project conflicts.
-
Other duties as assigned.
Values (ACTIVATE)
-
Accountable
-
Collaborative
-
Timely
-
Impactful
-
Value Employees
-
Accessible
-
Trusted
-
Equitable
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The first review of applicants will be on the week of July 27, 2026, and applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview the week of August 3, 2026.
This recruitment will be used to fill one career service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional vacancies that may occur within the next six months.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required as well as a resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Selection Process: Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.
For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf
Work Schedule: The work week is typically Monday-Friday with 8-hour days and variable shifts. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.
The employee will report to work at Renton Maintenance Facility (155 Monroe Ave NE, Renton).
Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:
Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.
Union Membership: PROTEC17
Work Location:
We work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. The employee will report to Renton Maintenance Facility (155 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056).
Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work in a hybrid environment.
Forbes recently 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.
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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ira Becton, HR Analyst, by email at [email protected].
