Surface Water Manager

Why It's a great opportunity:

In this role at the Surface Water Management for Pierce County, you will provide guidance for the Surface Water Management (SWM) teams to provide flood protection, improve water quality, and restore fish and wildlife habitats. You will oversee large capital program including design, environmental permitting, right-of-way acquisition, construction management, surface water quality monitoring, NPDES compliance, and watershed planning and partnerships. You will be leading the teams that allow County communities to thrive as well as care for our natural water resources.

PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are 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.

Your success will come from effectively managing a division with a complex workload while maintaining a focus on timeliness, accuracy, consistency, and safety. You'll guide shifting priorities, communicate clearly, and lead multidisciplinary teams in collaboration with peers, industry partners, elected officials, tribal nations, and community groups. You will also be evaluating regulatory compliance for Pierce County’s surface water management program, monitoring relevant legislation, and informing staff and leadership of potential impacts.

Internally, you will be supporting cross-divisional collaboration and providing policy recommendations to the Deputy Director of Public Works and Utilities. As the Divisions leader, you will be responsible for identifying opportunities to increase efficiency in SWM planning and project delivery by leveraging departmental expertise and maintaining an organizational structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to ensure your success.

You will work closely with the PPW leadership as a division leader, and be a key member of our Senior Management Team who will help guide you through onboarding and integration into the Department. Pierce County offers professional development through robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

• Provide leadership, and guidance for Surface Water Management (SWM) division project managers, planners, engineers and scientists in the effective development and implementation of the water resources programs, focusing on reducing flooding, restoring stormwater facilities, and improving water quality.
• Provide fiscal management and understanding of financial policies and procedures, including those pertaining to grants and other funding sources utilized by Surface Water Management.
• Manage direct reports with an emphasis on professional growth and development. Counsel and evaluate direct reports on performance goals.
• Develop program performance goals and objectives. Prepare and oversee the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Represent division before various professional committees or associations, public meetings, boards, or councils to provide information regarding activities or to present departmental plans or proposals.
• Develop, support, and advance the SWM vision:
  Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Communities.

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

• A resume and cover letter are required for consideration of this position.
• Seven years of experience in civil engineering, planning and/or environmental science, to include
• Four years of broad-scope high level management experience in a large stormwater utility.
• Postsecondary education with a background in civil engineering, planning and/or…