Civil Engineer 3 - Office of the County Engineer

Why It's a great opportunity:This is a unique opportunity to lead a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team shaping the future of transportation in one of the region’s fastest-growing counties. In this role, you will supervise transportation planners, engineers, and GIS asset management specialists who contribute to maintaining, operating, and improving the County’s road system. Your leadership will guide critical work such as transportation and traffic modeling, analysis of key traffic data, and development of growth projections that directly inform major capital improvement projects and long-range planning.

You will also play a central role in strengthening how the division delivers projects by helping standardize design guidance, performance metrics, and project delivery processes—ensuring consistency, efficiency, and high-quality outcomes across the organization.

You will have the opportunity to lead and influence several foundational initiatives that shape the County’s transportation system for years to come, including:

• Development and advancement of the County Transportation Travel Demand Model.
• Updates to County Road Design Standards and Standard Drawings.
• Modernization of the County Road Design Manual.
• Improvements to the Capital Project Delivery Process.
• Monitoring of division-wide performance metrics.
• Preparation of the Annual Transportation Concurrency Report.

This position supports high-impact programs that improve safety, mobility, and community quality of life, including:

• Vision Zero Safety Action Plan – advancing the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries .
• Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program – planning and prioritizing critical infrastructure investments.
• Traffic Impact Fee Program – ensuring growth contributes to the transportation system it relies on.

This role offers the chance to combine technical leadership, strategic planning, and team development while delivering transportation solutions that directly benefit communities across the county. It is an ideal opportunity for an experienced professional who wants to make a lasting impact on regional mobility, safety, and infrastructure investment.

Road Design in Pierce County | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

Travel Demand Modeling | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) | Pierce County, WA - Official Website

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 Workshere.

How to be successful in the role:Your success will come from utilizing your engineering skills but also from supporting direct reports, customers, division managers, and external stakeholders in efforts towards standardization and development. Your experience with project management, shifting priorities, and multitasking will further ensure 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 opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Manages assigned resources to complete work and secure approval of major engineering programs using acceptable methods of planning and management.
• Provides leadership and direction to the professional and technical staff responsible for implementing a major engineering program; delegates authority to personnel commensurate with responsibility and ensures the proper functioning of assigned staff.
• Trains and educates staff on criteria and standards. Provides engineering guidance to staff and makes engineering recommendations to County officials and other departments.
• Assists in developing recruitment and selection processes. Conducts final interviews; recommends individuals for hire.
• Completes reviews and evaluations of subordinate employee job performance. Initiates disciplinary action when necessary. Responds to grievances at the first level.
• Develops, monitors and controls assigned budget and establishes financial management policies and procedures.
• Assumes overall responsibility for completeness and accuracy of projects and ensures that all regulations and applicable engineering standards and criteria.
• Coordinates assigned activities with other sections, departments, and jurisdictions.
• Sets the team’s goals and objectives and participates in the development of the division’s goals and objectives.
• Studies, analyzes, and prepares engineering-related reports as required by state, federal and local authorities. Presents findings orally or in writing to county staff, officials, or other agencies.
• Develops, implements, and reviews ongoing programs, policies and procedures, assessing job effectiveness and cost efficiencies.

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

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington
• Nine years of progressively responsible, broad based civil engineering experience is required.
• A bachelor’s degree from an ABET accredited program in civil engineering, or a closely related field, may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis, up to four years.
• Professional Engineers licensed in another state must be able to obtain licensure by the State of Washington within six months of employment.
• 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.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@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) 798-7480, 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?