Civil Engineer 1

Pierce-County-Washington; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a civil engineer to support the Office of the County Engineer’s Design and Bridge Teams. You will assist with drafting, plan preparation, and project delivery while applying CAD standards and emerging technologies.

Work with experienced engineers and IT staff to optimize design workflows and ensure quality and compliance across projects. The role requires four years of civil engineering experience or a ABET-accredited degree with substitutions, plus a valid driver’s

Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience required.
• Registration as an Engineer-in-Training or a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• A valid driver’s license required.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Performs layout, drafting and design on routine civil engineering projects using computer programs.
• Designs or reviews roads, bridges, structures, and related infrastructure as assigned.
• Prepares or contributes to engineering reports, plans, and specifications.
• Reviews projects for compliance with ordinances and standards, and meets with applicants as needed.
• Supports public meetings and hearings with accurate information and documentation.

Skills

Drafting

Civil engineering

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited civil engineering program

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Bluebeam

Autodesk products

Internal drafting systems

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

In this role, you will support the Office of the County Engineer's Design and Bridge Teams with engineering workflows, plan preparation, and project delivery. You will help improve consistency and efficiency across the division by supporting drafting, engineering software, CAD standards, and emerging technologies. You will use tools such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Bluebeam, Autodesk products, and internal drafting systems, while contributing to plan reviews, standard drawings, process improvements, and basic software guidance. Working with experienced engineers and IT staff, you will help optimize design workflows, maintain quality and compliance, and support applicable Local, State, and County Road Administration Board standards. Your contributions will keep Pierce County projects on track.

Why It's a Great Department:

PPW's team 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 your desire to learn, focus on details, project support to delivery, collaboration, and software knowledge. Excellent communication, both written and verbal, will also 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 and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Performs layout, drafting and design work on a variety of routine civil engineering projects utilizing computer programs. Depending on program to which assigned, may design or review roads, bridges, structures, traffic control devices; flood control structures; aviation and maintenance facilities; stormwater collection and disposal systems; wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems; water treatment and distribution systems; and/or other infrastructure.
• Designs and/or prepares contract plans for capital improvement projects.
• Prepares and reviews comprehensive engineering plans, reports, studies and related documents.
• Prepares scopes, cost estimates, specifications, special provisions and related documents for capital improvement projects.
• Prepares or contributes to engineering-technical reports or studies such as traffic, hydrology, hydraulic, or geotechnical, reviews calculations or routine work of others.
• Reviews proposed development projects for compliance with county ordinances, state and federal statutes and regulations, adopted standards, and county policy and meets with project applicants to resolve questions and compliance issues.
• Prepares information to support public meetings, hearings, boards, commissions, or elected officials.
• Reviews and investigates citizen concerns and recommends remedial measures.
• Inspects and evaluates assets for compliance with established inspection programs and prepares appropriate reports; calculates and verifies pay quantities for contracted services.
• Requests, performs, or directs the testing of materials and interprets results to ensure compliance with project specifications; prepares written reports and recommends alternatives when necessary.

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

• Four years of progressively responsible, broad-based civil engineering experience is required.
• Registration as an Engineer-in-Training or a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited program in civil engineering or closely related field may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• 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.

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.