Road Maintenance Superintendent

Why It's a Great Opportunity: In this dynamic leadership role, you and your team will oversee infrastructure maintenance, operations, preservation, and capital facility planning across Pierce County, with responsibility for four maintenance facilities, the equipment and vehicle services team, satellite gravel pits, County road features, stormwater systems, flood control assets, and emergency response programs. You will also carry key oversight responsibilities related to the Department’s Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund and the capital equipment procurement process. This role supports process improvements, budget development, and daily operational management, with work tracked through systems such as Workday, See-Click-Fix, Faster fleet software, and WinCam. The position works closely with other supervisors, contractors, and work teams to ensure efficient project delivery and positive outcomes for Pierce County communities.

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!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here. 

How to be Successful in the Role: Your success will come from effective communication with diverse teams, dynamic project management, industry knowledge, effective utilization of emergency response assets, and employee support. 

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 a designated unit; determine work procedures, prepare work schedules, and determine methods for expediting workflow.
• Assign, review, and approve work of subordinate staff; investigate grievances involving subordinates and recommend resolution; provide adequate coverage during staff absences.
• Conduct performance evaluations and develop performance measures and standards.
• Review and analyze cost data of completed projects; prepare cost estimates and participate in the development of annual budgets.
• Prepare, develop, and formulate maintenance plans, schedules, and timetables; assist in establishing and administering maintenance policies and standards; communicate and direct implementation of changes in policies, standards, and regulation to subordinates.
• Ensure division is complying with applicable safety regulations; monitor and evaluate division’s injury and safety records, initiate mitigation efforts to reduce injuries and improve safety within the division; conduct periodic safety and training meetings for supervisory staff.
• Receive, review, and investigate major complaints related to roadbed, road surface, drainage or other right-of-way deficiencies and traffic hazards; initiate corrective action or assign the problem to appropriate individual for disposition.
• Understand and apply Asset Management and Process Improvement methodologies to maintenance programs.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of maintenance, operations and preservation data to determine program efficacy and to identify improvement opportunities.

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

• Additional education in construction methods, supervisory and management techniques, road maintenance, engineering, or a closely related field may substitute for the required experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
• Six (6) years of supervisory infrastructure maintenance management experience is required.
• 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.

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.