Lead Permitting Agent- Parks Land Management bei King County, WA

About the Department

Important Note: In addition to the current opening that we're seeking to fill immediately, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Real Property Agent IV positions within the Parks Division during the next 6 months.

King County Parks is seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Permitting Agent (Job Classification: Real Property Agent IV) to lead permitting activities that support responsible stewardship of King County’s park properties and regional trails. This position is both rewarding and challenging—it directly contributes to protecting public lands while engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure fair and timely permitting decisions.

About the Role:

As the Permitting Lead, you will act as a subject-matter expert for private and public non-park use permits on Parks property. You’ll perform detailed property and land use research, interpret federal, state, and local regulations, and coordinate complex, and sometimes politically sensitive, permits. You’ll also mentor and guide other Real Property Agents and serve as the primary point of contact for permitting communication across Parks and with the public. 

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

About the Team:

The Land Management Unit’s (LMU) role in Parks is to manage the property rights and uses of King County’s many parks, trails, and open spaces. The LMU accomplishes its missions through its permitting, encroachments, and records management programs. LMU provides customer service directly to the public through permitting and encroachment management processes. Additionally, LMU provides property research and analysis to various Sections across the division, including Parks Operations and the Open Space Program within the Environmental Policy and Initiatives Unit. Our team’s work contributes directly to the Division’s equitable access, responsible stewardship, and resource protection values. 

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 an HR Supervisor, 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 Parks Division of 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.

Position Duties

What You Will Be Doing: 

In this role, you will:

• Lead and manage Parks’ permitting program for private and public non-park uses on Parks property.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on property research, land use, permitting regulations, and environmental code compliance.
• Conduct property research and technical analysis, interpret engineering drawings, legal documents, and land use codes to inform permitting decisions.
• Develop, analyze, and recommend policies and procedures that guide permit management.
• Coordinate and manage multiple complex or politically sensitive permit applications; ensure process integrity, transparency, and timely delivery.
• Communicate effectively with Parks leadership, permit applicants, jurisdictional partners, and the public through written and verbal channels.
• Lead and support the work of Parks’ permitting team while managing a robust workload; train and mentor real property agents on Special Use Permit requirements and review their work for quality and consistency.
• Coordinate and lead field visits to inspect site conditions, support pre- and post-construction meetings, and monitor compliance.
• Support continuous improvement of Parks’ permit management systems and workflows

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring: 

• Extensive knowledge and experience working in governmental land use and permitting environment, with a strong understanding of applicable codes, policies, and processes.
• Proven experience leading complex programs or projects within or in partnership with a governmental agency.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or guiding the work of others, formally or informally, through mentoring, coordination, or project leadership. 
• Experience providing public-facing customer service in a highly visible or politically sensitive environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical or regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience conducting detailed property research, permitting, on-site inspection, coordinating with partners, resolving conflicts, and performing permitting related activities.

Competencies You Bring:  

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience using SharePoint or other document management tools.
• Experience using Accela or similar permitting or asset management systems.

Other Qualifications

Working Conditions:

• Work Location Details: The Land Management 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. Other work locations may include King County Parks properties and permit sites.

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 not represented by a union.

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.   

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Answers to Supplemental Questions (When applicable)

Note: Please be aware that other documents won't be considered or reviewed during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Divya Mathew at [email protected]

Discover More About King County Parks:

KingCountyParksisdedicatedtostewarding,enhancing,andacquiringparkstoinspirehealthycommunities.Withover205parks,175+milesofregionaltrails,and250+milesofbackcountrytrails,westrivetoprovideparkamenitiesthatcanbeenjoyedbyKingCountyresidentstodayandforgenerationstocome.Wevaluecollaborativepartnershipswithcommunityorganizationsandworktowardsthecommongoalofcreatingavibrantandinclusiveparksystem.Learnmore at www.kingcounty.gov/parks.

And check us out on the socials at Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand Vimeo.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our webs­ite, explore an interactive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand 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.

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