Senior Planner (Planner 3) - Integrated Floodplain Management bei Pierce County, WA

About the Department

This position is a hybrid telework schedule with the expectation of being in the office when needed.

Position Duties

Why It's a Great Opportunity: 

In this role, you will provide planning support to the County’s Planning and Public Works, Surface Water division. You will focus on key areas including floodplain and watershed management, water quality, and capital planning. You will have a leadership role in integrated floodplain management, partner coordination, group facilitation, and strategic planning for integration and capital delivery.  

Primary roles are serving as staff support for the Flood Control Zone District and serving as project manager for the Floodplains for the Future Program. Responsibilities include:

• Serve as a subject matter expert in integrated floodplain management, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise.
• Lead collaborative planning and engagement efforts with federal, state, and local agencies to address floodplain management challenges aligned with the Floodplains for the Future program and Flood Control Zone District priorities.
• Facilitate and participate in committees and stakeholder groups, including agenda development, outreach, speaker coordination, and monthly meetings to advance program objectives.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and reports to officials, external partners, and the public, clearly communicating program goals, progress, and outcomes.
• Foster trust and collaboration by actively listening, building consensus, and nurturing partnerships across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage project expenditures, ensuring alignment with approved funding sources and coordinating financial planning with project timelines and goals.

Learn more about the Surface Water Management, Pierce County Flood Control Zone District and Floodplains for the Future.

Why It's a Great Department: 

Planning and Public Works (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 provide 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 atwww.piercecountywa.gov/ppw.

How to be Successful in the Role: 

Being an innovative, creative thinker, collaborative, adaptable, and strategic team player will be key. In this role, you’ll bring strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster teamwork, build consensus, and keep stakeholders informed. You’ll be someone who builds strong working relationships by encouraging cooperation, valuing diverse perspectives, and working toward shared goals. Communicates with clarity and purpose, tailoring messages to different audiences and simplifying complex information. Thinks ahead and adapts, you’ll anticipate challenges, adjust plans based on feedback, and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines. Keeps projects on track, ensuring goals are met while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Your Future in this Role: 

You will have direct engagement in the local and regional project implementation of the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District and the Puyallup Watershed Floodplains for the Future program. Both the District and the FFTF are cross-sector and inter-organizational partnerships hosted and supported by Pierce County to recover floodplain functions and to protect the health and safety of communities around them. Pierce County supports your professional growth through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other continuous training opportunities throughout your career.

Core Daily Responsibilities: 

• Serve as subject matter expert for assigned planning projects and programs.
• Interpret local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines as they relate to assigned responsibilities and stay abreast of various legislative changes.
• Work with others across departments and organizations on the development of various plans.
• Participate in and lead the preparation and presentation of reports and information and present to County Officials, departments, external entities, and the general public regarding a wide range of planning functions and other related areas.
• May participate in the preparation and monitoring of program, project or capital budget.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field
• Three years of related planning work
• Please attach a copy of your cover letter and resume. Failure to attach this will result in an incomplete application

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in local, county, or state planning is desired
• Experience with surface water organizations or supporting boards/junior taxing districts
• Experience in floodplain management and/or Certified Floodplain Manager

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.

Other Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

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.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.  Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?