Green Building Associate

Summary

This position will contribute to implementing innovative and creative efforts that will advance green building, sustainability, climate response and equity and social justice. This position will have the opportunity to help the county’s advancement and implementation of the green building priorities in the 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) ( link ) and Green Building Ordinance ( link ). These efforts will support meeting our carbon neutral goals by 2050 and Zero Waste of Resources goals by 2030.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.

About this role:

Help implement several priority actions and improve performance measures in the 2025 updates to the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP). In addition, position will contribute to meeting the SCAP performance measures of removing code and financial barriers for green building within King County’s internal operations (enterprise-wide) and community-wide work.

The Green Building Associate will support both the external communitywide and internal operational green building efforts. A significant part of the position will include community-wide efforts such as helping to implement the Regional Code Collaboration (RCC) with dozens of city jurisdictions to advance green building through code development and policies. This position will help implement priority actions, support the management of the RCC to support planned code adoption, continue to conduct outreach in the community of the King County Green Building Handbook resource to front line communities, and support efforts that increase access of green sustainable affordable housing in the region.

The position will be part of a team that provides guidance enterprise-wide to over 500 projects across 9 divisions in King County to ensure projects are in compliance with the Green Building Ordinance and maintain adequate levels of performance monitoring. A holistic approach that King County implements in capital project delivery is ensuring that all projects integrate equity and social justice as part of its sustainability and climate justice priorities. The new staff will contribute to providing technical assistance and collaboration with project managers, as well as developing tools and resources so County capital projects, divisions and staff can better integrate equity and social justice opportunities, high-performance, resilience, sustainable development and Clean Water Healthy Habitat goals in project delivery.

Exciting sustainability efforts that this position will be involved in are innovative and progressive pro-equity and climate justice strategies, such as advancing economic justice strategies on capital projects, increasing awareness and opportunities in inclusive and welcoming design strategies, promoting lower embodied emission materials, helping achieve the highest green building certifications, partnering with community to ensure BIPOC and frontline communities are involved in green building policy development, and supporting carbon neutral development of residential, commercial, public facilities and infrastructure.

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 Re+ goals for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%. 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.

This staff position will also have a unique connection to the Executive Climate Office (ECO). King County established ECO in 2023 to elevate and accelerate the Executive’s and County’s commitment, coordination, and ability to deliver on climate action internally (enterprise-wide) and in partnership with cities and partners (community-wide). As a formally “matrix” team member - a King County employee whose position is paid for by the King County’s Climate Cost Share - you will work closely with the King County Green Building Team Program Manager, King County Green Building Communitywide Program Manager, KCSWD Environmental Programs Managing Supervisor, ECO Green Building + Infrastructure Manager and climate staff to advance green building priority actions and performance measures.

Job Duties

• Provide assistance to King County Community-wide Green Building Program Manager in support of the Regional Code Collaboration, meeting logistics, and research, support countywide projects by helping to remove barriers, providing technical support, seeking funding. sources for above-code measures, support jurisdictions in their efforts to advance green building, and promoting these projects as models to replicate across King County.

• Help King County Green Building Team Program Manager related to internal operations and assisting King County Department Climate Leads and Project Managers with Green Building Ordinance (GBO) implementation, reporting, and resources. Assist King County Project Managers with green building certifications and King County’s Sustainable Infrastructure Scorecard and Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) credit guidance.
• Support resource development and promotion of green building education.
• Monitor performance of capital projects and the GBO/SCAP indicators on behalf of program, including but not limited to gather and analyze data; write reports or issue summarizing analysis or research; manage and develop database.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Familiarity and experience with green building rating systems, and sustainable development best practices.
• Demonstrated commitment and experience in delivering an anti-racist, inclusive, and equitable approach that lifts up frontline communities through targeted universalism.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and partnerships with a variety of partners, stakeholders, and interest groups, including, but not limited to various county and/or state agencies, organizations, and associations.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communications and making presentations.
• Demonstrated skills in translating technical information and goals into specific action steps necessary to catalyze action and/or public policy changes to be adopted.

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:
At least 2 years of paid, or volunteer experience in the following:

• Sustainability in the built environment which may include: capital projects; and/or codes; and/or policies; and/or certification frameworks; and/or climate action.
• Green building, climate resiliency, resource development and/or education for targeted stakeholders.
• Equity and social justice in the built environment. Areas of focus may include, but are not limited to: partnering & collaboration with frontline and BIPOC communities; advancing economic justice; working with Women and Minority owned firms; social equity within the supply chain; social equity within the project team process; etc.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects with diverse project teams and effectively communicate across multiple audiences. Experience in community engagement and outreach and familiarity working with different languages to increase access of green building strategies.

In certain areas, 2 years of training / education or other forms in gathering expertise may satisfy an experience requirement in the above listed areas. All applicants are encouraged to highlight their full complement of skills as they relate to this job position.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements 1 to 4 days/month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104) and the Chinook Building (401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance of King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117 Professional and Technical.
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/ Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position with an anticipated duration of one year.

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
• A Cover Letter no longer than one page

Note: Applications missing the required materials will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for further consideration. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jal y davis @ kin g county. g ov .

We will be hosting a 60-minute virtual open house for this position for anyone interested in the job. Participation in the open house is not required to apply for the job. This session provides individuals an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the job. It will be held on August 7th, 2025, from 2:30pm to 3:30pm via Microsoft Teams. You can attend by clicking on this link, Join the meeting now or calling in to Microsoft Teams at +1 425-653-6586 Phone conference ID: 640101764#.
Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at 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.
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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.

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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal 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: 8/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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