Sewer and Water Utilities Senior Planner 3 – Long range planning and agreement lead

This position is currently primarily remote with the option to work in the person attendance at required at least one day per week. Occasional travel to various work sites businesses and meeting locations is also expected.

Why Its a Great Opportunity:

As our Senior Utility Planner focused on long range planning and agreements you will have a wonderful opportunity to lead the development of long range plans prepare agreements and support the divisions legislative updates. You will also be able to continue honing your understanding of utility operations and management while coordinating with the others to help plan for long term sustainability of the Utilities.

Why Its 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. PPWs 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 and water 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 to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for someone with strong communication skills who can effectively advocate for the Sewer and Water Division through the development of plans and agreements. Someone who is a lifelong learner and highly motivated to dig deep and understand the why behind the given topic and ensure that the utility is taking the appropriate next steps. We need you to reach out to and establish strong working relationships with County staff local jurisdictions and stakeholder groups.

The successful candidate will have experience in long range utility planning legal agreements and code updates and associated briefings and technical memorandums.

Your Future in this Role:

You will have an opportunity to work alongside a team of talented engineers planners and community leaders to support comprehensive sewer planning and sustainability problem solve and look for efficiencies and strategies to provide improved public service in Pierce County. Your work will directly impact your community and it offers a great foundation for future positions within the Planning and Public Works Department and Pierce County.

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.
• 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.
• Develop and prepare planning documents including drafting code amendments regulations policies and procedures.
• Represent the Department at internal and external meetings.
• Perform research prepare special studies write reports collect and analyze various statistical and/or technical data to apply to a wide range of planning functions.
• Work with others across departments and organizations on the development of various plans.
• Prepare submit and obtain grants.

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

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience
• A Bachelors Degree in Planning or related field
• Three years of related planning work
• Please attach a current resume and cover letter with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience in utility local county or state planning

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.

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting APPLY above or visiting you have questions about this opportunity email the Recruitment Team at and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at 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 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 Countys 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.

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 Executives 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.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.