Senior Restoration Engineer

KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER & LAND RESOURCES

Seattle, Washington United States

Posted: Dec 02, 2025

Salary: $108, $137,723.66 Annually USD

Full Time

Engineering

Summary

Are you ready to apply your engineering skills to the waterways of scenic King County, Washington? King County Habitat Restoration Unit is a leader in river and floodplain restoration because we build multi-benefit projects that protect people and the environment. As a Senior Restoration Engineer in the Habitat Restoration Unit of the WLRD Capital Delivery Section, you will lead diverse, multi-disciplinary teams that manage flood risk and restore important aquatic habitat and experience many opportunities to build and showcase your problem solving and communications skills.

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Senior Engineer (Engineer III) positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months .

About the Role:

The role of a Senior Restoration Engineer (Engineer III) in the Habitat Restoration Unit is to work closely with ecologists, geologists, planners, and other engineers to advance salmon recovery and watershed health projects and to collaborate and build relationships with other King County divisions and departments, regulatory agencies, community organizations as well as individual landowners and residents. Collaboration and innovation are the cornerstones of restoration design in the Habitat Restoration Unit. The senior engineer employs creative problem solving while applying critical thinking to assess the effectiveness toward intended function and potential risk.

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

About the Team:

The Water & Land Resources Division delivers a diverse portfolio of environmental services, including stormwater management, salmon recovery, flood risk management, noxious weed removal and supporting agriculture and forestry. This portfolio puts the Water and Land Resources Division at the center of key plans and initiatives launched by the King County Executive, including Clean Water Healthy Habitat, Strategic Climate Action Plan, Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan and the Land Conservation Initiative. The work we do is diverse, stimulating and at the forefront of addressing today's environmental challenges. The Habitat Restoration Unit designs and implements innovative restoration and mitigation projects across the watersheds of unincorporated King County.

Who Are We? The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County's efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production.We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.

Commitment To Equity 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 Senior Restoration Engineer, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at .

for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource 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:

• Serve as the project manager, lead engineer or key project team member to design and implement complex habitat restoration projects.
• Identify and conduct or oversee appropriate river engineering and technical analyses specific to each restoration project, including but not limited to, open channel hydraulic models, floodplain and river condition assessments, and flooding and erosion hazard analyses.
• Lead the development of engineering plans and specifications, including bid packages.
• Determine detailed project quantities, project costs, construction techniques, construction scheduling and sequencing.
• Oversee construction of complex restoration projects, including coordination of work by contractors or County forces.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and other interested parties to define project objectives, identify constraints, and develop effective solutions.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• A commitment to advance King County's Equity and Social Justice initiative and cultural competence growth.
• Education and/or professional work experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the job duties, including river hydraulics and engineering design principles sufficient to successfully design and implementation of habitat restoration and flood protection capital improvement projects.
• Experience developing design plans, specifications, bid packages, and technical studies.
• Demonstrated experience as a project manager successfully delivering capital projects, design efforts, or technical studies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of people.
• Demonstrated experience communicating technical information related to complex or politically sensitive projects.

Required Licenses:

• Washington State Professional Engineer's license or ability to attain within one year of hire.

Competencies You Bring:

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, motivation, and a proactive approach.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of hydrologic and open channel hydraulic principles and geomorphic processes.
• Experience in construction management and knowledge of relevant construction techniques and approaches.
• Knowledge of local watersheds, regional salmon recovery strategies, King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and/or regional stormwater management priorities.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The Capital Delivery Section and the Habitat Restoration Unit work 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 St, Seattle, WA Currently, members of this unit are meeting in-person 1-4 days per month at King Street Center. Additional visits to project sites may also be warranted.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: 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 will work a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Work outside the typical work schedule including early mornings, evenings and weekends may be required from time to time.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit.
• Physical Requirement: This position requires the ability to conduct physical site inspections, including in times of inclement weather conditions. There is occasionally a need to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods of time in forested riparian settings.

Application and Selection Process:

We are currently welcoming applications only from current King County employees , but first consideration will be given to all current King County PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit employees eligible for a lateral transfer (transferring within the Engineer III classification and having passed probation) . 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. The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical. Please ensure that your application materials clearly detail how your skills and experience meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this posting.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Isaac Good at or .

Discover More About the Water 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 .

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 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.

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.

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: 12/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

The Water and Land Resources Division is at the forefront of King County's efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 400 supported by an annual budget of ~$250 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies for protecting working farms and forests, restoring habitat, protecting water quality, and ensuring people have equitable access to green space. We reduce flood hazards, manage stormwater facilities, and reduce toxic threats. Our Environmental Lab and Science section maintain high-quality data sets used in long term-water quality trend analysis and use Best Available Science to inform decision making. We house three salmon recovery forums and support 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 people protect their lands and support local food production.