Salary: $41.02 – $52.53 Hourly
Location: Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service – Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Planning and Public Works (PW)
Job Number: 22-00929

Description
The Floodplain and Watershed Services section of Surface Water Management addresses flood issues from rivers and streams, urban areas, coastal and groundwater.  As a team we map it, plan, coordinate and prepare for it, and manage grants to mitigate for it. This effort provides support for a responsible and integrated approach to creating resilient communities within the floodplain.

We are looking for an experienced planner and project manager to lead a variety of projects, plans and studies in floodplain/surface water management. In this role you will facilitate high-level outreach and collaboration with tribal, federal, state, and local representatives, elected officials, special interest groups, regulatory agencies, and the public. You will manage programmatic planning initiatives and projects involving water/critical area resource protection and permitting efforts, salmon recovery, channel migration studies, feasibility studies, and flood emergencies. You will work closely with the county’s engineering teams, consultants, and other Planning and Public Works (PPW) staff in the development of comprehensive water resource protection and capital plans. You will be responsible to manage scope, schedules and budgets relating to your planning assignments.

Your efforts will build deep connections, and in this position, you will have a direct and positive impact on the many communities located within Pierce County. Learn about some of our projects here: Our Projects | Pierce County, WA – Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)
 
Why It’s a Great Department
PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are 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 www.piercecountywa.org/ppw

How to be Successful in the Role
You will wear many hats as a planning lead for floodplain and watershed services. Your understandings in integrated project management will be used for balancing community and stakeholder involvement, and consultant-lead efforts. A strong emphasis on public education and outreach will be critical in gaining support for the division’s planning and capital projects. Commonly used software includes the Microsoft Office suite, Smartsheet, and Mural in this role. Your focus will be in fiscal oversight, articulate communication, coordination, and facilitation every day for multiple assignments. Highly successful candidates will have demonstrated knowledge and experience with community planning and project management principles and practices, the State Environmental Policy Act, environmental documentation, and floodplain management.
 
Your Future in this Role
This position serves as the subject matter expert for assigned planning projects and programs, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan, Habitat Conservation Plan, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program, and other PPW initiatives. With these projects you will be exposed to a wide range of urban, resource, and rural topics where you will be able to expand your knowledge and application of planning and project management principles and techniques. You will work closely with your supervisor and colleagues who will guide you to success by meeting regularly in an interactive setting. You will increase your knowledge and experience in community planning and project management principles and practices and floodplain management that can lead to becoming a FEMA Certified Floodplain Manager or attaining a Project Management Professional certification. All Pierce County employees are also provided the opportunity to participate in Pierce County’s Leadership Certification Program.
 
Core Daily Responsibilities: 

• Serve as subject matter expert for assigned planning initiatives, programs, discrete planning projects, and studies.
• Review and monitor various programs, projects, and applications to ensure compliance with various codes, plans, contracts, agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations.
• Initiate, prepare and implement planning documents including developing proposed code amendments, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Interpret local, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines as they relate to assigned responsibilities and stay abreast of future executive and legislative initiatives and regulatory changes.
• Perform research, prepare special studies, write reports, collect, and analyze various statistical and/or technical data to apply to a wide range of planning functions.
• Work with others throughout various departments and organizations to successfully complete assignments and develop various plans.
• Participate in and lead the preparation and presentation of reports and information and present to elected officials, department executive leadership, external stakeholders, special interest groups, and the public relative to a wide range of assigned planning efforts.

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

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in community and urban planning or related field; AND
• Three years of related planning work; OR
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience in local, county, or state planning is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in water resource and environmental planning and project management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental permitting processes and regulatory requirements.
• Working familiarity with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), Water Pollution Control Act, Shoreline Management Act, and Salmon Recovery.

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.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
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.org/jobs
• Upload your resume and cover letter.
• 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.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application form 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 written, oral and performance examinations, and final 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.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/piercecountywa/jobs/3827792/floodplain-services-planner-project-manager