Strategic Initiatives Project Manager (PPM III) - Internal Only

This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Project/Program Manager III vacancies within the Parks Division over the next six (6) months.

King County Parks is seeking a Strategic Initiatives Project Manager (Project/Program Manager III) to join the Parks Division Director’s Office team! This position will be responsible for managing complex internal and external-facing projects. We are seeking someone who is passionate about parks and recreation, skilled at collaboration, is highly organized, and has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

About the Role

The Strategic Initiatives Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering a diverse portfolio of projects that vary in scope, size, and complexity. Projects will be high visibility, involve multiple internal and external stakeholders, and require strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to anticipate and manage risk.

This role ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while maintaining a high standard of quality, accountability, and public transparency.

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

About the Team

The Parks and Recreation Division Director’s Office is a fast-paced, dynamic work environment! Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social and economic equality for all people in King County.

King County Parks' mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities, and with 205 parks, 28,000 acres of open space, 215 miles of backcountry trail, and 175 miles of regional trails, King County Parks offers close-to-home recreational experiences for everyone.

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.

As a Strategic Initiatives Project Manager, 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 King County Parks Division of the 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.

What You Will Be Doing

• Manage key division projects, including the development of project charters, work plans, schedules and ensure projects align with business needs and organizational goals and objectives.
• Research, gather and evaluate information to support the development of key projects.
• Prepare and deliver clear visual and written materials for project updates, presentations, and reports geared towards internal leadership and public audiences.
• Support continuous improvement by documenting lessons learned and recommending process enhancements.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders, including leadership, elected officials, community groups, and cross departmental teams.
• Establish effective working relationships with people inside and outside the division including co-workers, customers, the public, government agencies, other departments, and other external sources.

Qualifications You Bring

• Experience managing projects of varying sizes and complexity, with demonstrated success in delivering high visibility or community impact projects.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism under pressure, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience leading and working with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

Competencies You Bring

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring

• Knowledge of the King County Parks and Recreation system (trails, open space, active parks) and operations procedures.

Working Conditions

• Work Location: The Parks Director’s Office 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. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Professional and Technical Employees Local 17 — PROTEC17.

Application and Selection Process

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all background 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.

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

To apply, submit a

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Optional Cover Letter (will be reviewed if submitted)

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jessica Fuqua at jfuqua@kingcounty.gov.

Discover More About the Parks Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

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.

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.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jessica Fuqua at jfuqua@kingcounty.gov.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact.

As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class.

However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.