Job Details

Salary: $103,906.08 - $133,517.65 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00072
Department: Planning and Public Works
Division: PPW Long Range Planning
Opening Date: 01/30/2026
Closing Date: 2/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
This position is primarily remote, with the option to work in the office. Attendance at required in-person meetings and occasional travel to various work sites, businesses, and meeting locations is also expected.

Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:

In this role with the Long Range Planning Division, you will lead a planning team of five on priority land use and transportation planning efforts, which requires you to provide both subject matter expertise in transportation and land use planning and strong program leadership to guide complex, multi-disciplinary projects that involve coordination across divisions, County departments, external agencies, and community partners. As a seasoned Planning and Project Manager, you will supervise and work alongside a team focused on a variety of Long Range Planning Division projects including but not limited to implementation of the County's Comprehensive Plan transportation element, community plan updates, and various special projects. You will support the Transportation Advisory Commission, an appointed citizen and industry advisory group, on transportation policy recommendations. In addition to planners, the team includes GIS analytics and administrative staff.

Additionally, you will be responsible for:

• Growth management, complete streets, reciprocal traffic impact fees, multimodal level of service, active transportation, transit oriented developments, parking, the integration of transportation and land use policy, and more.
• A team implementing community plan updates for Parkland and South Hill.

Check out some of the projects our team is working on

Why It's a Great Department:

Planning and Public Works (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!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works at

How to be Successful in the Role:

Our team is looking for a collaborative and communicative leader to further strengthen the land use and transportation connection in our unincorporated communities, and who can inspire a team while achieving multiple project planning goals. Experience managing or administering complex programs, grants, or initiatives involving multiple partners is highly valued. Additionally, someone skilled in data collection and analysis, as well as public outreach and facilitation, and translating technical and policy concepts for diverse audiences. Strong project management and organizational skills, knowledge, and proven experience in their respective subject matter, which includes deliverables like the Comprehensive Plan transportation element code package, and the ability to present information to a variety of stakeholders and the public will be key. Subject matter experience with land use, transportation, legislative code, development services, and real estate development will compliment technical and supervision skills.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have an opportunity to work alongside a diverse and talented team of PPW professionals, agencies, and community leaders to support planning activities by problem-solving and developing innovative solutions to ensure the best services possible for the citizens of Pierce County. Your work will directly shape how Pierce County communities grow by developing foundational guiding policy documents that guide County programs and plans over time.

Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the County Planning Manager regularly to discuss expectations and set goals for yourself as well as introduce you to the current policies and procedures, technology/software, and Pierce County Code. As a supervisor, you will be part of the PPW Expanded Management Team and Pierce County offers leadership and professional development throughout your career to ensure your success.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Supervise and coordinate work assignments for an assigned work unit to assure adherence to prescribed time lines and compliance with departmental procedures.
• Provide leadership and project management over larger and more significant projects and programs.
• Coordinate work with others across departments and organizations on the development of various plans.
• Oversee the professional development of employees and provide guidance and technical expertise, and training to staff.
• Provide guidance and oversight of research and analysis for various statistical and/or technical data to apply to a wide range of planning functions.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found

Minimum Qualifications

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements
• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field
• Four years local, county, or state planning experience
• One year of lead worker and/or supervisory experience

• Please attach a current resume and cover letter with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Masters' Degree is preferred
• Experience administering or managing grants, contracts, or externally funded programs is desirable

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• AICP Certification or the ability to obtain it within a year

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 an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at ...@piercecountywa.gov 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) ###-####, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping 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 allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01

Please describe your highest level of education.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree in planning, or related field
• Associates Degree in an unrelated field
• Bachelors Degree in planning, or related field
• Bachelors Degree in an unrelated field
• Masters Degree in planning, or related field
• Masters Degree in an unrelated field

02

How many years of experience do you have performing local, county or state planning work?

• None
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years but less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

03

How many years of lead worker and/or supervisory experience do you have?

• None
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years but less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

04

Have you attached a cover letter and resume? Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question