Construction & Demolition Technical Specialist

Full Job Description

We are searching for an incredibly passionate Construction & Demolition (C&D) Technical Specialist to join our Recycling & Environmental Services team and lead the charge in building a thriving circular economy!

This is a high-impact role for a visionary who is ready to develop bold strategies to salvage building materials, pioneer new markets for reclaimed goods, and implement climate-positive policies that prioritize racial equity for the benefit of all ratepayers.

You’ll be at the heart of the action, providing vital technical expertise to the Green Building Team and King County capital projects to ensure our diversion goals are met!

The energy in our region is electric as we hit a turning point with the Seattle Salvage Lumber Warehouse launching in 2026.

In this role, you will be a key player in this groundbreaking effort, managing regional resources to ensure lumber is reused across the county.

We need a dynamic connector who can forge powerful partnerships to scale our impact and lead the way in industry training.

From championing "2-bin" collection systems to educating construction sites in the field, you will be the driving force transforming how our industry views and handles resources.

This is your chance to turn environmental passion into measurable, world-changing action!

We are filling one Career Service position and may use this recruitment to create a list of candidates for any potential vacancies in similar positions in the following 6 months. The classification of this position is Project/Program Manager II.

About this Role:

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

Position would contribute to implementing innovative and creative efforts that will advance construction and demolition, green building, sustainability, climate response and equity and social justice.

These efforts will support meeting our Zero Waste of Resources goals by 2030 and overall climate reduction goals for the County.

This is an opportunity to be part of improving institutional changes to better serve the public and provide greater benefits to our community regarding an equitable, socially just, prosperous, and healthy future.

We also have a new County Executive with dynamic and progressive priorities including:

•Breaking the Cycle: Addressing homelessness, addiction, and incarceration.

•Building More: Expanding housing, child care, transit, and infrastructure.

•Boots on the Ground: Making King County government more visible, connected, and community-driven.

•Better Government: Delivering a government that is more transparent, efficient, and accountable.

Our program has the ability to connect with each of these areas in ways that provide opportunities for creative and innovative projects.

About the Team:

The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that serves the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County.

KCSWD is the lead King County Agency for delivering Zero Waste of Resources (ZWoR) goals for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70 percent.

KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.

The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section leads the Division’s efforts on product stewardship, policy, developing end markets for recycled materials, recycling, environmental stewardship, and several compliance programs.

Notable among those are the Waste Stream Compliance & Enforcement Program, green building, household hazardous waste and “Wastemobile” service, school education, and resource recovery.

Opportunity to Learn More: We invite you to join an MS Teams Meeting Open House to learn more about this position.

The Environmental Programs Managing Supervisor from the Recycling & Environmental Services section will be available to describe the work culture and job duties and there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

We will hold this event on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. To participate in the meeting, click here.

To join audio-only, please dial +1 425-653-6586 and use the Meeting ID: 755 857 742#.

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.

Requirements

What You Will De Doing:

• Respond to C&D inquiries related to programs or projects in order to increase diversion of C&D materials.
• Suggest recycling, salvage and reuse strategies and projects to redirect materials toward a circular economy instead of landfilling.
• Work with the C&D team to develop program recommendations that would increase diversion of C&D materials from landfill, create markets for recycled materials, and provide economic opportunities for the community.
• Develop innovative efforts that increase participation and influence of frontline and diverse communities, business and community members in the C&D industry.
• Work with building industry representatives to increase the C&D diversion rate.
• Conduct analysis and research that will support a business case for development of C&D material management infrastructure.
• Develop feasibility reports and issue papers in support of a circular economy business park.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• Experience and familiarity with construction and demolition practices, building salvage and deconstruction
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, accomplish program goals and meet deadlines with high attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering an anti-racist, inclusive and equitable approach that lifts frontline communities
• Experience in sustainability, market development, public policy, environmental management or a closely related field
• Two years of experience in programs that involve C&D management, green building, market development, waste management and/or recycling or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the skills necessary to perform the primary job duties
• Demonstrated skills in written and oral communications and making presentations.

Physical Requirements:

The candidate must be able to work in an office environment in addition to working in an outdoor construction environment (see below mentioned sites), which may include performing work on uneven grades, slopes, surfaces, and terrain in inclement weather.

There may be occasional lifting of construction materials ranging in 1-20 pounds at the worksites as work may include, assisting with deconstruction training and conducting salvage and deconstruction assessments.

Workplace Exposures:

The candidate must be able to work in adverse conditions such as dust, odor, high volume noise and heavy traffic at construction sites, circular economy infrastructure facilities/warehouses, transfer stations, and landfills.

There may be exposures to chemicals if any is present in the above mentioned sites.

Competencies You Bring:

• Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Racially Just: Identify and replace racists systems and structures with anti-racists and pro-equity approaches.

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• The following behaviors:
  • Taking Initiative
  • Being flexible and adaptable
• Experience in C&D industry, salvaged wood, market development for recycled materials, deconstruction
• Familiarity or lived experience working on social justice, community advocacy, equity and/or inclusion efforts
• Demonstrated experience in business development, entrepreneurship, job creation, strategic planning, financial analysis, market development or real estate
• Demonstrated experience working with public policy, administering contracts and/or grants, city outreach and interagency coordination, capital projects, government systems, and multiple stakeholders

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

Remote and Onsite Work Details: The RES 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; Mon – Fri with 1 hour lunch.

This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime-eligible.

After probation has been satisfactorily completed, alternative work schedules may be considered.

Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117 Professional and Technical.

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 (required)

• Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)

• Cover Letter (will be reviewed if submitted)

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

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jemima McMahon at jemima.mcmahon@kingcounty.gov.

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 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.