Parks Preservation and Stewardship Manager

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

The creation of the Volunteer and Resource Development Division unites the complementary functions of Land Management, Real Estate, Capital Preservation, and Volunteer Engagement into one coordinated program. Together, these teams form the foundation of stewardship: protecting, maintaining, and activating the lands and assets the County already owns while engaging the community in shared respect and responsibility.

As the Parks Preservation and Stewardship Manager (Volunteer and Resource Development Manager), you will lead efforts to maintain and enhance county parks for the entire community. In this role, you will oversee the capital replacement program, manage budgets and contracts, pursue grants, and build inclusive volunteer programs. You will serve as the primary liaison with elected officials and partner agencies, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster collaboration across departments.

Additionally, you will supervise staff, set priorities, and champion community-focused initiatives such as after-school programs.

This division ensures that Pierce County Parks is not only building for the future but also caring intentionally for what we have today.

Pierce County Parks and Recreation manages more than 5,200 acres of parks, trails, and open space, ranging from community hubs to natural areas. We deliver diverse recreation programs and maintain the infrastructure that supports both active play and quiet connection with nature.

Our department is made up of four divisions:
Park and Recreation Operations, Business Operations, Volunteer and Resource Development, and Park Stewardship and Infrastructure Delivery, working together to serve one of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions in Washington. Guided by our mission to create livable communities, we provide opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about sustainability, live healthy lives, and experience inclusive, thriving public spaces.

Joining Pierce County Parks means being part of a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, innovation, and community impact, where your work truly makes a difference every day.

Learn more about the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department

To succeed in this position, you need strong leadership and communication skills to inspire teams, build partnerships, and engage the community. You should be adaptable, collaborative, and skilled at problem-solving and conflict resolution, with empathy and cultural awareness to serve diverse populations. Competencies include strategic planning, budget and contract management, regulatory compliance, project coordination, and performance management. The ability to foster community engagement and manage resources responsibly is essential for creating inclusive, sustainable parks.

Looking ahead, you will have the opportunity to lead with purpose and influence the development of parks, trails, and public spaces throughout Pierce County. You will drive innovative projects, strengthen critical business processes, and create meaningful opportunities for community engagement. Beyond your core responsibilities, you will have access to mentorship, professional training, and online learning resources designed to support your growth and long-term success within Pierce County.

• Provide strategic leadership for the enhancement and operation of volunteer and alternative workforce programs to extend our organization’s ability to serve.
• Represent the department by participating on various community and professional committees or organizations; make public presentations to the community, professional, and academic organizations; attend facilitate, lead and actively participate in external meetings.
• Develop, plan, execute and coordinates capital replacement project planning efforts for the Parks Department.
• Assess and ensures project goals and objectives for the division are achieved within constraints of time, budget and staff resources.
• Manage Planned Maintenance Program, providing services to the Parks Department for all park…