King County Parks is seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented Project Control Officer to lead oversight of our robust Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and ensure smooth, compliant, and strategic delivery of high-value projects across the county. In this position, you will serve as a trusted advisor within the Finance Section, guiding complex contracting processes, and leading a dedicated team that supports county-wide initiatives.

About the Role: We are seeking a candidate who will bring extensive experience developing and implementing robust program management systems and processes for complex capital projects. They will be a strong leader with a proven ability to independently evaluate project performance and compliance, provide clear insight, and support proactive decision-making. This individual will possess advanced expertise in all facets of project controls-including cost management, scheduling, estimating, risk and change management, contracting, and ongoing project monitoring. They will also have demonstrated experience leading Job Order Contracting (JOC) authorization and compliance efforts, building cross-team collaborations, and supporting staff in these functions. 

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

About the Team: The Parks Finance Section is a vital internal support resource to the Parks Division and provides responsive, outstanding support services aligned with the core values of accountability, diversity and inclusion, stewardship, and workforce development.

In this role, you'll have the opportunity to influence major capital investments that directly benefit our communities. You'll join a collaborative team, work in a supportive environment, and contribute to meaningful outcomes for residents across the county.

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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Project Control Officer 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.

General Responsibilities 

• Ensure contracting processes for architecture, engineering, construction, and other types of contracts meet King County policies and Parks procedures.
• Participate in LEAN and other process-improvement efforts.
• Develop documentation and deliver training to help staff and partners stay compliant and follow best practices.
• Identify compliance risks, recommend fixes, and help teams prevent future issues.
• Review and refine policies and procedures to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and align with industry standards.
• Support staff through coaching and frequent feedback.

Project Control Officer Responsibilities

• Serve as the main point of contact for the project control program and build strong relationships across the county by being a liaison with central procurement and capital sections in other departments and divisions.
• Lead core project control functions including budgeting, cost management, scheduling, risk analysis, and contract administration.
• Improve tools, processes, and metrics that support effective project and contract management.
• Provide expert guidance and training on public-sector project and contract practices. 
• Review requests to waive procurement requirements and recommend appropriate actions.
• Oversee contract and project file reviews to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Lead the development of documentation on project control and contract management processes, procedures, and workflows.
• Provide strategic direction to facilitate efficient capital program delivery while ensuring contract compliance.

Qualifications You Bring: 

• Demonstrated relevant experience and knowledge of public-sector design and construction project and contracting processes.
• Strong ability to build effective working relationships with capital project managers, supervisors, consultants, contractors, vendors, and public agencies. 
• Ability to perform critical analysis of data to make timely recommendations that improve project cost, performance, and effectiveness.
• Experience in managing and monitoring a variety of accountability and performance audit processes to accomplish audit goals while minimizing disruptions to day-to-day capital program and procurement operations.
• Experience managing and administering architectural, engineering and professional services contracts, as well as various construction contracts (e.g. Low Bid, Job Order, Work Order)
• Advanced knowledge of public contract and procurement law.
• Knowledge of capital project management, design and construction principles and practices, cost estimating and scheduling, project management techniques, and federal, state and local development regulations and processes for public infrastructure projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills that include skills in training, documenting, coaching, facilitation, and negotiation.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.

Competencies You Bring:  

• 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.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, business, construction management or related field. 
• Knowledge of King County project management, and Capital Project Management Work Group (CPMWG) standards.
• Five years of progressive experience providing project control functions and reporting on capital projects for a public agency.
• Advanced knowledge of the content and application of Project Management Institute practices. 
• Experience in developing project management/contract administration manuals.
• Experience managing project oversight functions in an advanced capital program and project environment.
• Experience as a project manager or program manager on mid-sized to large public works projects.
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent professional certification.
• Knowledge and experience in using LEAN process improvement techniques to streamline business processes.

Working Conditions:

• Work Location:The Parks Finance 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 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 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
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.

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

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

[Standard DNRP Text]Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, 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.

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.