Engineering Manager - Surface Water Management

Pierce County•Tacoma, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an exceptional moment to join Pierce County’s Surface Water Management Division (SWM) within the Planning and Public Works Department (PPW). SWM is advancing some of the most meaningful multi-benefit watershed projects in the region – work that reduces flooding, restores salmon habitat, improves water quality, and strengthens community resilience. As an Engineering Manager with this team, you will help lead this momentum by guiding the prioritization, design, and implementation of a diverse portfolio of capital projects. You’ll oversee a team of 20+ engineers, planners, and biologists delivering everything from large floodplain restoration and levee setback projects to water quality projects and passage barrier removals. A flagship effort beginning construction next year – the Clear Creek Habitat Restoration Project – will create new flood storage and vital off-channel habitat in the Lower Puyallup, exemplifying the type of high-impact work your team will help bring to life. Three supervisors will manage day-to-day project execution with you providing technical oversight as well as collaboration across Pierce County divisions. You will focus on capital delivery strategy, project prioritization, and funding in partnership with SWM’s Strategy team. As part of SWM’s four-person management team, you will help shape the long-term direction of the division – advancing projects that protect communities, support salmon recovery, and improve watershed health across Pierce County. 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.

Requirements

Eight years of progressively responsible work experience /or postsecondary education in the field of civil engineering OR Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or closely related field
Five or more years of supervisory or management experience is required.
This position requires certification as a Professional Engineer by the State of Washington or the ability to obtain such registration within six months of employment.
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.

Nice To Haves

Success in this role comes from combining your technical expertise with your ability to lead people, build partnerships, and navigate complex natural systems.
You will use your knowledge of river processes and geomorphology to advance multi-year levee setback and floodplain restoration projects, accelerate the prioritization and replacement of fish passage barriers, set drainage and water quality best management practices, and to oversee implementation of high priority water quality improvement projects.
You will also apply your project management experience to oversee complex capital projects, ensuring high-quality design, permitting, and construction will meet the Division’s goals.
Your collaboration skills will be essential as you work across SWM to integrate water quality, flooding, and habitat objectives into cohesive, multi-benefit projects.
Strong communication and coordination with other Pierce County divisions will help align timelines, resources, and community needs for complicated, high-visibility efforts.
Finally, you will thrive by appreciating the nuanced nature of floodplain work – balancing the needs of residents, municipalities, tribes, and natural resources while advancing projects that improve safety, restore habitat, and support long-term watershed resilience.

Responsibilities

Manage, supervise and coordinate activities of the unit; determine work procedures, prepare work schedules and determine methods for expediting workflow.
Ensure consistent interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies and procedures.
Provide leadership and direction in the administration of operations; delegate authority to professional personnel commensurate with assigned responsibility; ensure proper performance.
Participate in the preparation of the departmental budget and is responsible for the allocation of funds within the appropriate budget areas.
Make decisions on budget matters and cost control and monitoring.
Participate in establishing and revising Department-wide goals and objectives.
Evaluate the need for employing outside consultants; review the scope of the work to be performed and evaluate the performance of consultants.
Utilize knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields, and provide engineering advice, support and assistance to subordinates and to officials and other departments.