Assistant County Engineer

Why It's a Great Opportunity: In this role as the Assistant County Engineer, you will be a key member of the Planning and Public Works (PPW) leadership team and represent the County in regional and state-level planning efforts to improve and maintain the road system in the South Puget Sound. As a trusted partner of the County Engineer, you will lead professional engineers, construction management professionals, and traffic operations and maintenance crews to provide safe and reliable transportation options to Pierce County residents, employees, and visitors while supporting the operations and decisions of the County Engineer. The Office of the County Engineer coordinates a portfolio that includes large capital programs encompassing design, surveying, environmental permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and construction management, while expanding production capacity and the organization’s potential. This division is also responsible for the safe and efficient operation of County roads, setting County Road and Bridge Design Standards, maintaining Standards of Good Practice, and approving deviations from those standards. As a member of the Office of the County Engineer (OCE) division leadership team, you will be in a position to coordinate with other leaders across the County and shape the way the County meets the transportation needs of future generations.

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 by being a part of the leadership team, managing a division with a complex workload and many competing priorities, all while maintaining a focus on timeliness, accuracy, consistency, and safety. You may be tasked with the revision of county road standards, revision of plans, operation modifications to various systems, development of strategic long-term plans, and other duties vital to the Office of the County Engineer. You will also be part of ensuring close coordination between sections and across divisions within PPW to ensure compliance with regulatory drivers. Working effectively with executive management, elected officials, and subject matter experts at the city, county, state, and federal levels to address Pierce County's needs will also be a key ingredient to your success.

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: 

• Coordinate programs and projects assigned to the Office of the County Engineer division with other departments and divisions.
• Serve as County Engineer in their absence, when directed.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to professional and technical staff.
• Preparation and implementation of the six-year transportation improvement plan
• Develop and monitor program performance goals and metrics and ensure alignment with the Department and County strategic initiatives.
• Assist in preparing and oversight of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Make appropriate decisions in the assessment of unusual circumstances and exercise flexibility in selecting appropriate responses.
• Participate in and support development, measurement, and execution of the vision, mission, and values of the county, department, division, and individual work groups.

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

• An ABET accredited degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related field may substitute on a year for year basis.
• Ten years of relevant experience in the management of civil or environmental engineering functions including four years of experience in a management role.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington or the ability to obtain registration within six (6) months of employment.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. 

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.