Salary: $132,131.48 - $168,556.13 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00713
Department: Planning and Public Works
Division: PPW Surface Water Management
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Summary
Why it's a great opportunity: This is an exceptional moment to join Pierce County's Surface Water Management Division (SWM) within the Planning and Public Works Department (PPW). SWM is advancing some of the most meaningful multi-benefit watershed projects in the region - work that reduces flooding, restores salmon habitat, improves water quality, and strengthens community resilience.
As an Engineering Manager with this team, you will help lead this momentum by guiding the prioritization, design, and implementation of a diverse portfolio of capital projects. You'll oversee a team of 20+ engineers, planners, and biologists delivering everything from large floodplain restoration and levee setback projects to water quality projects and passage barrier removals. A flagship effort beginning construction next year - the Clear Creek Habitat Restoration Project - will create new flood storage and vital off-channel habitat in the Lower Puyallup, exemplifying the type of high-impact work your team will help bring to life. Three supervisors will manage day-to-day project execution with you providing technical oversight as well as collaboration across Pierce County divisions. You will focus on capital delivery strategy, project prioritization, and funding in partnership with SWM's Strategy team. As part of SWM's four-person management team, you will help shape the long-term direction of the division - advancing projects that protect communities, support salmon recovery, and improve watershed health across Pierce County.
Why it's a great department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW's team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
How to be successful in the role: Success in this role comes from combining your technical expertise with your ability to lead people, build partnerships, and navigate complex natural systems. You will use your knowledge of river processes, geomorphology, and flood infrastructure to advance multi-year levee setback and floodplain restoration projects, accelerate the prioritization and replacement of fish passage barriers, and oversee implementation of high priority water quality improvement projects. You will also apply your project management experience to oversee complex capital projects, ensuring high-quality design, permitting, and construction will meet the Division's goals. Your collaboration skills will be essential as you work across SWM to integrate water quality, flooding, and habitat objectives into cohesive, multi-benefit projects. Strong communication and coordination with other Pierce County divisions will help align timelines, resources, and community needs for complicated, high-visibility efforts.
Finally, you will thrive by appreciating the nuanced nature of floodplain work - balancing the needs of residents, municipalities, tribes, and natural resources while advancing projects that improve safety, restore habitat, and support long-term watershed resilience.
Your future in this role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.
Core daily responsibilities:
- Manage, supervise and coordinate activities of the unit; determine work procedures, prepare work schedules and determine methods for expediting workflow. Ensure consistent interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies and procedures.
- Provide leadership and direction in the administration of operations; delegate authority to professional personnel commensurate with assigned responsibility; ensure proper performance.
- Participate in the preparation of the departmental budget and is responsible for the allocation of funds within the appropriate budget areas. Make decisions on budget matters and cost control and monitoring.
- Participate in establishing and revising Department-wide goals and objectives
- Evaluate the need for employing outside consultants; review the scope of the work to be performed and evaluate the performance of consultants.
- Utilize knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields, and provide engineering advice, support and assistance to subordinates and to officials and other departments.
Minimum Qualifications
- Eight years of progressively responsible work experience /or postsecondary education in the field of civil engineering OR
- Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or closely related field AND
- Five or more years of supervisory or management experience is required.
- This position requires certification as a Professional Engineer by the State of Washington or the ability to obtain such registration within six months of employment.
- A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
- A valid driver's license is required.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
Our Recruitment Practices:? This is a competitive?and meritorious?selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position.?Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.??
During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen.?Any?misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.?
Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.??
Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.??
Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:??
Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.??
Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact?in?the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments
