Engineering Manager - Surface Water Management

Norfma; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

NORFMA invites applications for an Engineering Manager in Pierce County’s Surface Water Management Division within the Planning and Public Works Department. This leadership role focuses on multi-benefit watershed projects that reduce flooding, restore salmon habitat, improve water quality, and strengthen community resilience.

You will oversee capital projects, ensure design, permitting and construction meet division goals, and supervise staff while coordinating with other county divisions.

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressively responsible work experience in civil engineering.
• Five or more years of supervisory or management experience is required.
• PE certification by the State of Washington or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Manage, supervise and coordinate activities of the unit and determine work methods and schedules.
• Provide leadership and direction in departmental operations and budget allocation.
• Oversee complex capital projects ensuring high-quality design, permitting and construction.
• Collaborate across divisions to align water quality, flooding and habitat objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Civil engineering degree or closely related

Professional Engineer (PE) certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

Job description

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Job announcements are typically posted for 60 days - however, positions may close sooner or remain open; read each posting for details on a given close date.

Engineering Manager - Surface Water Management

Pierce County

Job Posting
Jul. 13, 2026

Description

Why it's a great opportunity: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.

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. PPW’s 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: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, geomorphology, and flood infrastructure to advance multi-year levee setback and floodplain restoration projects, accelerate the prioritization and replacement of fish passage barriers, and 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.

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:

• 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.
• 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 AND
• 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. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information

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.

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.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.