Housing Policy Supervisor (Planner 4)

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.

Why It's a Great Opportunity: 

In this role with the Long Range Planning Division, you will lead a housing planning team on priority housing efforts, which requires you to provide both subject matter expertise in housing planning and policy and strong program leadership to guide complex, multi-disciplinary projects that involve coordination across divisions, County departments, external agencies, and community and development partners.

The Housing Policy Supervisor serves as Pierce County's lead housing strategist and will be responsible for considering policy across the entire continuum of housing. You will be responsible for advancing housing production, affordability, attainability, preservation, and regulatory reform through policy development, incentive programs, intergovernmental coordination, and strategic partnerships with a focus on market-based and innovative solutions. You will provide leadership on housing policy, development process improvements, housing market analysis, developer engagement, and implementation of countywide housing initiatives to support the County's long-term housing and community development objectives. The position will also oversee the County's Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, including program administration, compliance monitoring, performance reporting, policy evaluation, and expansion opportunities. While not responsible for the County’s federal grant program and administration, they will work closely on barrier removal and innovation to help enhance and leverage County investments.

Additionally, you will be responsible for:

• The housing component of the Comprehensive Plan and future updates
• Housing components of community plans, initially in Parkland and South Hill
• Developing materials and providing support for non-profit and for-profit affordable housing development that is not subsidized
• Developing and providing technical assistance for small and early-career developers creating “missing middle” attainable and affordable housing (both rental and homeownership opportunities)
• Tracking housing production across County subareas, housing types, and by income brackets. (How many, where, what kind, and for whom?)
• Leading inventory of developable lands and widely disseminating information to developers
• Regularly convening developers to promote housing production, assemblage, and incentives as well as to understand their barriers and needs
• Cross-department and County coordination and partnerships, especially with Human Services and Economic Development process improvements

Check out some of the projects our team is working on here.

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 atwww.piercecountywa.gov/ppw.

How to be Successful in the Role: 

Our team is looking for a collaborative and communicative leader to further strengthen housing policy and production 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, especially direct experience in housing development. 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 affordable housing and housing production, and the ability to present information to a variety of stakeholders and the public will be key. Subject matter experience with affordable housing, market rate housing, displacement risk, transportation efficient communities, 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 housing 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 here.

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

• 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
• Direct experience developing housing and housing policy
• 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.

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. 

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.