Environmental Compliance & Capital Improvement Manager (Mgr 3)

City of Seattle • Seattle, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an experienced manager to lead planning and execution of capital improvements for its Solid Waste Line of Business and oversee solid waste regulatory compliance. The position manages an annual solid waste capital improvement budget of $5 million to $10 million and serves as the primary contact for Project Delivery and Engineering Branch management on capital project delivery issues. The manager is part of the Solid Waste leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. The capital projects team includes a strategic advisor and support staff; seven staff at closed landfills and an Environmental Analyst responsible for compliance work at solid waste facilities also report to this position.

The role oversees regulatory compliance, including Industrial Stormwater Permits at both transfer stations and compliance at closed landfills. It involves extensive negotiations with external agencies and stakeholders, including Sound Transit, Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, neighboring property owners, and other city departments. The manager leads and supports staff, coordinates work and resources, and ensures project deliverables meet cost, schedule, scope, quality, risk, and SPU project delivery requirements.

This position requires working in person at office or field locations. Individual schedules are agreed upon by the employee and supervisor. SPU offers hybrid work schedule opportunities, a family-friendly and multicultural work environment, a generous benefits package, a free Orca Pass, a City pension plan with employer and employee contributions, and growth and advancement opportunities.

Requirements

• Five years of experience with capital improvement projects and regulatory compliance, or other related project management experience, including prior supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field, or two additional years of relevant experience.
• Strong background in capital improvement projects and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing teams, large budgets, and complex workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to develop and implement solutions for infrastructure challenges.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a multicultural workforce serving a diverse customer base.
• Responsive, adept, and flexible when working under pressure and with changing priorities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Leadership skills with a track record of team development and creating a strong work culture.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Experience successfully leading teams on solid waste infrastructure projects and regulatory work.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate activities required to plan and execute solid waste capital improvements with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and the public.
• Ensure project cost, schedule, scope, quality, and risk deliverables align with SPU project delivery procedures, policies, and stage-gate processes.
• Support staff in project design decisions and review project status reports and performance metrics.
• Provide direct oversight, coaching, and support to staff.
• Administer SPU regulatory agreements with Ecology, the EPA, and other regulators.
• Establish and manage work processes, serve as the initial point of contact for requests for section services, and direct work appropriately.
• Set priorities for division work and redistribute or acquire internal and consulting resources to meet high-priority needs.
• Recommend project delivery approaches and advise the Utility on project reserve amounts, community engagement strategies, and project scheduling.
• Provide technical support and interpretation of Solid Waste regulatory requirements.
• Represent the branch and department on interdepartmental teams updating Code as needed.
• Identify gaps in standards, research options, and support policy revisions.
• Support public involvement in SPU capital improvement design processes, helping residential and commercial customers understand upcoming neighborhood work, its benefits, and potential disruptions or impacts.
• Establish and oversee section quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques to balance quality and value.
• Oversee solid waste regulatory compliance, including Industrial Stormwater Permits at both transfer stations and compliance at closed landfills.
• Negotiate with external agencies and stakeholders, including Sound Transit, Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, neighboring property owners, and other city departments.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities
• Vacation, holiday, and sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager