Workforce Development Manager

Job Description:

Workforce Development Manager

Description

Summary

The Director’s Office of the Solid Waste Division (SWD) is seeking a talented Workforce Development Manager to join our team! If you have a passion for leadership development, change management, and professional training, we want to hear from you.

This person will drive professional growth strategies that enhance employee engagement and support our division's strategic priorities in developing leadership skills among all our employees. You will have the opportunity to shape the organizational development landscape, develop a work environment built on collaboration and innovation, and play a leadership role with significant impact and responsibility. You will work closely with our staff, management, and supervisory teams to understand and influence the division’s leadership development and training resource needs.

About this Role:

This position will provide strategic consultation and guidance in organizational change, leadership development, training, and processes to senior management. Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for workplace development and organizational change and facilitate change strategies. This role includes policy development, staff supervision, budget management, and acting as a representative on various task forces and committees.

In this position, you will:

• Develop and implement short- and long-term workplace development strategic plans and tactical approach for organizational development and issues.
• Develop comprehensive leadership development programs focusing on essential skills like communication, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution.
• Offer personalized coaching to address individual strengths, areas for growth, and career goals.
• Foster a culture of continuous feedback where leaders receive insights from peers, subordinates, and supervisors.
• Help leaders navigate the human side of leadership effectively.
• Embed leadership development into the division’s values and culture.

About the Team:

The Solid Waste Division is tasked with ensuring safe, environmentally protective management of waste and recycling for King County, serving 1.3 million residents. We operate 8 transfer stations, 2 rural drop boxes, and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill - the only operational landfill in the county. We also maintain custodial responsibility for 9 closed landfills. Our solid waste system ensures that unincorporated King County and 37 cities have access to safe, efficient garbage transfer and disposal, and recycling services. We serve all cities in the county except for Seattle and Milton, which are part of separate solid waste systems.

SWD is committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. SWD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.

This position works within the director’s office and reports directly to the Solid Waste Division Director. The director’s office includes our Deputy Director, Administrative Support Staff, Government Relations team, and Equity and Social Justice team. The work environment is fast-paced with high demands and fun at the same time.

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. In this position, 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 Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. 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:

• Consultation and Direction: Provide expert consultation and strategic direction to senior management in the areas of organizational change, leadership development, training, and division training processes. Develop and implement a short- and long-term strategic plan and tactical approach for workplace development and organizational issues.
• Leadership and Change Facilitation: Lead section and/or division in facilitating effective change strategies and educational interventions. Develop and implement workplace development policies and oversee policy decisions.
• Representation and Collaboration: Represent the organization on task forces and committees related to workplace development, consultation, and organizational development initiatives.
• Research and Evaluation: Identify areas of study for workplace development and consultation research and evaluation.
• Budget and Project Management: Determine project or program budgets, schedules, and scopes. Frame and navigate budgetary, statutory, and operating conditions for the program.
• Strategic Prioritization: Serve on the director’s office team to prioritize program goals and objectives.
• Expert Advising: Act as an expert adviser with specialized skills and abilities in particular fields relevant to organizational development.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Human Resources, Psychology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in organizational change, leadership development, and strategic consultation.
• Experience in research and evaluation methods relevant to workplace development initiatives.
• Adaptability to dynamic organizational needs and priorities.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Skilled in building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Tech Savvy: Anticipating and adopting innovations in business- building digital and technology applications.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Effective Communication: Able to adapt approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to solve problems effectively.
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• 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.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Work Location: The Director’s Office 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 includes the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance from 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 provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime-eligible.

Union Representation:This position is non-represented.
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.

A complete application is required. To apply, submit a Complete Application and cover letter . A Resume is highly recommended, but is optional. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Prakash Meloottu at [email protected]
Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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 Americans 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: 4/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$153,439.31 - $194,493.31 Annually