Civil Engineer 3 - Surface Water Management

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County’s Surface Water Management (SWM) Division seeks a senior civil engineer to lead teams delivering major capital projects. You will guide engineering design, environmental permitting, right-of-way concerns, construction management, and project oversight, drawing on strong leadership and technical judgment.

You will work with internal staff and contractors, using Bluebeam, GIS, AutoCAD, and hydraulic/hydrologic modeling to ensure compliant, safe, and sustainable outcomes for

Qualifications

• Nine years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience.
• ABET-accredited degree in civil engineering; substitution allowed for experience.
• Professional Engineers licensed in another state must obtain WA licensure within six months.
• Resume and cover letter required for this position.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams in capital project delivery including design, permitting, ROW, PM, and oversight.
• Utilize Bluebeam, GIS, AutoCAD, and hydraulic/hydrologic modeling to support projects.

Skills

Leadership skills

Team management

Project coordination

Strong communication

Education

ABET-accredited civil engineering degree

Tools

Bluebeam

GIS

AutoCAD

Hydraulic modeling

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity

In this role with Pierce County’s Surface Water Management (SWM) Division, you will lead teams in capital project delivery for engineering design, environmental permitting, right of way concerns, construction management, and project oversight. Your experience and knowledge in surface water projects will be utilized in areas of floodplains, water resources, water quality and urban stormwater applications. You and your teams will be working with internal employees as well as contractors utilizing Bluebeam, GIS, AutoCAD, Hydraulic and Hydrologic modeling, and other computer applications.

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 in this role will come from bringing a positive attitude, strong leadership skills, a priority for customer service, sound engineering judgment, and a willingness to keep learning. You will be most successful by communicating clearly, making thoughtful independent decisions, supporting your teammates, and building strong working relationships with your teammates, consultants, County staff, project stakeholders, and the broader Pierce County community.

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

• 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.
• Schedules and assigns employees; approves or denies use of sick leave, vacation leave, and overtime.
• 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.
• Sets the team’s goals and objectives and participates in the development of the division’s goals and objectives.

• 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 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.

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.