Code Writer (Project/Program Manager III)

SUMMARY:

This is a unique opportunity to help shape land use and environmental regulations in King County, Washington. You will support local officials in updating regulations that direct growth and development, and protect public safety, clean water, and salmon habitat, especially in the face of climate change. You will apply the best practices to decision-making, support clear communications and community engagement, and navigate potentially conflicting policy priorities. You will be an essential part of the team advancing King County’s bold goals for salmon recovery, clean water, open space conservation, climate change preparedness, and supporting local food and farms, especially as our region grows.

You will thrive in this position if . . . 

• You are creative problem solver who likes to collaborate across disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for the environment and the communities we serve;
• You are skilled at presenting policy, science, and customer service considerations to decision-makers;
• You are customer focused and committed to public service;
• You are energized by finding solutions to potentially conflicting policy and community interests;
• You are comfortable charting a path forward in the face of ambiguity; and
• You have strong attention to detail and legislative experience.

 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 commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose.  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.

JOB 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.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to: 

• Prepare proposed land use and environmental code updates and public rules, in coordination with County, State and regional stakeholders, necessary to implement state and federal mandates and achieve County goals and policies.
• Prepare proposed code updates, in coordination with County, State and regional stakeholders for green building construction, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable site development and other building and fire code provisions tailored for the kinds of new development and major redevelopment occurring in unincorporated King County.
• Seek advice from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to support development of code updates and legislation and to address questions that arise during public and Council review. 
• Prepare State Environmental Policy Act checklists in support of ordinance and code development.
• Prepare proposed code updates, in coordination with County, State and regional stakeholders. 
• Develop and provide educational materials, training and capacity building within the division and department to help the public understand county regulations and comment opportunities, and to support excellent customer service.
• Represent the Permitting Division at the countywide Teams, the Regional Code Collaboration and other inter-agency groups. 
• Maintain and support a culture of superior customer service. 
• Communicate in all media and at all times in ways that reflect well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent; lead by example with other team members. 
• Scrupulously honor commitments made to internal and external customers. 
• Foster professional and healthy relationships with other departments, agencies, and partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

Minimum Qualifications:    

• Experience with developing and applying local land use policy and codes in rural or urban environments.
• Experience and passion for identifying and resolving policy and code barriers and conflicts to advancing complex growth management or natural resource management goals. 
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to apply both law and science to policy and code updates. 
• Experience with developing and supporting state or local legislative proposals through drafting, review, amendment, and adoption.
• Exceptional communication skills: ability to listen, provide feedback, and negotiate outcomes as needed; skill at facilitating diverse groups of participants to express their views and help design solutions in a constructive and non-threatening environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and partnerships across disciplines and differing constituent interests. 
• Advanced experience making presentations and recommendations to and supporting the work of elected and appointed bodies; advanced skills in working successfully within a political framework. 
• Strong project management stills.
• Skill in advanced-level problem solving. 
• Strong familiarity with land use legal theory and principles; knowing when to seek legal advice. 
• Strengths in arraying, analyzing, and presenting complex data sets and information, such as demographic data and other tabular and geo-spatial data sets.

Desired Qualifications:   

• Master's or professional degree in public administration, urban/regional planning, architecture, and use law or a related field or combination of education and professional experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job requirements.
• Experience with developing and applying local land use policy and codes in rural and urban environments.
• Experience with developing and implementing local land use and environmental regulations that meet the needs of changing state and federal requirements.
• Experience developing and implementing complex communication strategies.
• Experience with King County, Washington State, and Federal code promulgation process or similar. 

Code Writer (Project/Program Manager III)