Sustainable Transportation Planner 1 – Limited Duration

Pierce-County-Washington; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County Planning and Public Works seeks a Limited Duration Sustainable Transportation Planner 1 to lead planning for the annual Bike Swap and related community outreach initiatives. This 12-month full-time hybrid role requires on-site training, coordination, meetings, and event planning.

Responsibilities include partner engagement, marketing planning, social media outreach, event management, and deliverables like a final Bike Swap report.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field.
• Please attach a cover letter with your application.

Responsibilities

• Perform research, collect, and analyze data related to planning projects.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees and the general public.
• Provide assistance and information to County departments, contractors and the public regarding planning functions.
• Review and monitor programs, projects and applications for compliance with codes, plans and procedures.
• Assist with development of proposals, bids and consultant contracts; oversee contracts to ensure licensing and insurance compliance.

Skills

Event planning

Community outreach

Relationship building

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Job description

• The Limited Duration Sustainable Transportation Planner 1 position will be employed full-time for 12 months with the possibility of extension.


• This is a hybrid position with expectations of on-site days for training, coordination, meetings and event planning.


• The Bike Swap event is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2027. The approximate work hours for the Bike Swap event are 6:30 am to 4:00 pm. The 2 weeks prior to the Swap will be important implementation days for the Bike Swap team. Additionally, this position will provide outreach at community and employer events; you must be willing to be flexible to work early morning, evening, and weekends as needed.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As an accomplished Sustainable Transportation Planner, you will have the opportunity to leave your innovative mark in planning and managing the annual Bike Swap community event, community outreach opportunities, and supporting employers with commute options programs. Some of the Bike Swap work tasks may include developing relationships with community partners, collaborating with local agencies to strengthen project outcomes, creating and carrying out the marketing plan, posting on social media, managing the event, writing the final Bike Swap project report, updating the implementation guide and making recommendations for future program endeavors. Additional work tasks may include developing relationships with employers to assist them with commute options program implementation, providing employers with tailored one-on-one assistance, hosting booths at community and employer outreach events, and helping with sustainable transportation team efforts.

Why It's a Great Department:

Planning and Public Works (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 at www.piercecountywa.gov/ppw.

This position will be managed by the Long Range Planning (LRP) division. LRP is responsible for development of the Comprehensive Plan and implementation of the Washington State Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act. Our office also manages Transportation Demand Management community-based grant projects. We offer our products and services through "Ride Together Pierce," a one-stop center for transportation options resources in Pierce County. The objective of the Ride Together Pierce program is to encourage the use of non-drive alone transportation options for commute and everyday trips.

Learn more about Ride Together Pierce at www.ridetogetherpierce.com.

How to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for candidates with large event planning and community outreach experience who are independent workers, team oriented and problem solvers. Someone who has a passion for partnership building, listening to community members with the intent of understanding their needs, is good at creative endeavors, and loves the innovative solutions process.

Your Future in this Role:

You will be trained by Planning and Public Works staff, and other partner agencies will provide support as needed. You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Perform research, collect, and analyze various statistical and/or technical data related to planning projects.


• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees and the general public.


• Provide assistance and information to County departments, contractors and the general public regarding a wide range of planning functions, and other related areas.


• May assist in the review and monitoring of programs, projects and applications to ensure compliance with various codes, plans, contracts, agency policies and procedures, and rules and regulations.


• May assist with the develop requests for proposals, bids and consultant contracts; provide management oversight of contracts to ensure compliance with licensing, permits and insurance requirements.

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

• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.


• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field


• Please attach a cover letter with your application. Failure to attach this will result in an incomplete application.

Special Requirements/Qualifications

• A valid driver's license.


• Ability to lift 25 pounds and assist with putting up and taking down 10' x 10' event tents and tables.

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.

Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at [phone] at least two days prior to the need.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

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.