Housing Policy Supervisor; Planner

Job Overview

This position is primarily remote, with the option to work in the office. Attendance at required in‑person meetings and occasional travel to work sites, businesses, and meeting locations is also expected.

In this role with the Long Range Planning Division, you will lead a housing planning team on priority housing efforts. You will provide subject matter expertise in housing planning and policy while exercising strong program leadership to guide complex, multi‑disciplinary projects that coordinate across divisions, county departments, external agencies, and community and development partners. As Pierce County’s lead housing strategist, you will advance housing production, affordability, attainability, preservation, and regulatory reform through policy development, incentive programs, intergovernmental coordination, and strategic partnerships.

You will provide leadership on housing policy, development process improvements, market analysis, developer engagement, and implementation of county‑wide initiatives that support the County’s long‑term housing and community development objectives. The role will also oversee the County’s Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, including administration, compliance monitoring, performance reporting, policy evaluation, and expansion opportunities.

• The housing component of the Comprehensive Plan and future updates.
• Housing components of community plans, initially in Parkland and South Hill.
• Developing materials and providing support for non‑profit and for‑profit affordable housing development that is not subsidized.
• Providing technical assistance for small and early‑career developers creating a "missing middle" attainable and affordable housing (both rental and home‑ownership opportunities).
• Tracking housing production across county subareas, housing types, and by income brackets.
• Leading inventory of developable lands and widely disseminating information to developers.
• Regularly convening developers to promote housing production, assemblage, and incentives, and to understand their barriers and needs.
• Cross‑departmental and county coordination and partnerships, especially with Human Services and Economic Development process improvements.
• Supervise and coordinate work assignments for an assigned work unit to assure adherence to prescribed timelines and compliance with departmental procedures.
• Provide leadership and project management over larger and more significant projects and programs.
• Coordinate work with others across departments and organizations on the development of various plans.
• Oversee the professional development of employees and provide guidance, technical expertise, and training to staff.
• Provide guidance and oversight of research and analysis for various statistical and/or technical data to apply to a wide range of planning functions.

• Four years of local, county, or state planning experience.
• One year of lead worker and/or supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field (additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements).

• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience administering or managing grants, contracts, or externally funded programs.
• Direct experience developing housing and housing policy.
• AICP certification or the ability to obtain it within a year.

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.

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.