Open Space Program Supervisor

King County is seeking an Open Space Program Supervisor to lead conservation efforts for natural lands and open spaces. This role involves developing strategies for land acquisition, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and managing projects to enhance outdoor recreation and ecological health. The supervisor will support a dynamic team and focus on equity in park access while driving initiatives aligned with county-wide conservation goals.
About the position

Join King County Parks in safeguarding our region's natural beauty as our skilled and strategic Open Space Program Supervisor—take the lead in preserving and expanding our treasured open spaces. As the Open Space Program Manager, your role is pivotal in driving the county's efforts in achieving the ambitious goals identified under the Land Conservation Initiative, 30-Year Forest Plan, Clean Water Healthy Habitat initiative, and Strategic Climate Action Plan. You will be leading a talented and dynamic team conserving natural lands and open space that deliver a wide range of benefits, including: expanding outdoor recreation opportunities and enhancing human health through nature contact; increasing climate resilience through forest conservation and stewardship efforts; protecting and improving ecological functions, including salmon habitat and water quality; and creating essential green spaces in urban areas where parks are scarce. The Program manager will have a unique opportunity to harness the strengths of an excellent team and supportive leadership to make further gains. Opportunities include improving efficiencies, leveraging complimentary efforts, and identifying new and creative strategies to deliver benefits to the people of King County. This position will combine county-wide responsibilities for overall strategy with geographically based projects, covering a portion of the county to be determined by the team's needs and the successful applicant's expertise. The Parks' Environmental Policy & Initiatives Unit is a dedicated and passionate group of professionals committed to advancing natural lands conservation across King County. Our team works in close partnership with other groups, such as Parks' Operations Section and the Water and Land Resources Division, to rapidly accelerate conservation efforts and protect the region's most valuable natural assets. Our partnerships extend far beyond King County departments. We collaborate closely with local municipalities, state and federal agencies, Tribes, non-profit organizations, and community groups to ensure our conservation initiatives are comprehensive and in sync with broader regional efforts. This collaborative approach allows us to maximize resources, share knowledge, and create lasting benefits for the landscape and the communities we serve. Central to the team's work is a deep commitment to equity: identifying and addressing gaps in park access while engaging communities to develop solutions that best meet their needs. As the Open Space Program Manager, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work.

Responsibilities
• Lead and supervise program staff, supporting professional development, performance, and accountability.
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• Develop and implement natural land acquisition and conservation strategies, assessing and pursuing open space land acquisition opportunities.
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• Identify and implement creative funding solutions, including grant seeking and public-private partnerships, to leverage and maximize available resources.
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• Collaborate with diverse interests to steward, program, and activate open space sites, working with internal teams, elected officials, municipalities, and community groups.
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• Manage plans and projects, leading open space land acquisitions and related site planning, site management, and stewardship activities.
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• Support system-wide planning efforts to prioritize and strategically deliver projects.
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• Contribute to efforts that increase overall coordination, communication, and effectiveness across the process to grow, steward, and program King County's natural lands inventory.

Requirements
• Five+ years of increasingly responsible work experience at the program and project management level.
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• Bachelor's degree in Regional/Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Public Administration or a related discipline.
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• Experience in natural lands conservation and/or acquisition, with working knowledge of planning principles and environmental regulations.
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• Experience developing funding strategies and securing resources for large-scale conservation efforts.
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• Demonstrated management experience and ability to lead effective teams in environmental conservation or public lands management.
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• Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate with diverse external partners, including government agencies and NGOs.
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
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• Exceptional customer service skills, with the ability to deal tactfully and courteously with diverse individuals.

Nice-to-haves
• Advanced degree in Regional/Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Public Administration or a related discipline.
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• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
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• Demonstrated ability to align natural resource project portfolios with broader strategic objectives.

Benefits
• Comprehensive benefits package
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• Training and growth opportunities
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• Work-life balance initiatives
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• Remote work flexibility with onsite reporting requirements