Senior Trails Planner (Planner 3)

Description

This position is required to work in person for the majority of the 40-hour week. Hybrid options are possible on a case-by-case basis. The position requires regular in-person meetings, public meetings, and site visits. Travel to various work sites, businesses, and/or meeting locations may be required.

Position Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

Are you a dedicated professional and strategic thinker who enjoys leveraging and expanding parks and trails? Do you enjoy working as a part of a team in a fast-paced environment? Are you looking for an opportunity to grow with a team dedicated to improving the park system?

The forward-facing Senior Trails Planner (Planner 3) is an exciting opportunity for someone interested in planning, partnering, prioritizing, and overseeing the overall development of the county's regional trail system. In this position, you will be responsible for countywide planning for the development of the trail system including public outreach and conceptual design of various trail segments, grant writing and administration, developing partnerships, and executing and managing trail design contracts. As the subject matter expert on trail operations and system management, you will ensure the trail system meets federal, state, and local trail design and operational standards. You will work to advance the Regional Trail Plan, including prioritization of trail development projects; aligning with local and regional trails; and working with maintenance staff to resolve issues. This position will work closely with the Planning Team supporting the fast-growing park system.

Why It's a Great Department:

Pierce County Parks and Recreation manages over 5,200 acres of open space, trails, developed and undeveloped parks. We provide recreation programs and infrastructure in active and passive parks and trails. The department consists of three divisions: Parks and Recreation, Administration, and Resource Stewardship. Our mission is to be a leader in creating livable communities by providing opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about sustainable practices, live healthy lifestyles, and enjoy vibrant community spaces.

Learn more about the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department

How to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for someone who has excellent organization, communication, and project management skills. Experience and knowledge in project prioritization, executing contracts, monitoring progress, resolving issues, developing partnerships, facilitating meetings, and establishing goals will be a strong component of this work. You must be able to interpret engineering drawings and translate them into functional designs of public spaces. Ideally, you are a candidate who can work effectively and productively with others including strong customer service skills such as handling sensitive and difficult issues with tact and patience.

Your Future in this Role:

This position is in the Resource Stewardship Division which is responsible for the long-term growth and preservation of the park and trail system in Pierce County. In this role, you will have a wonderful opportunity to make a significant contribution to the trail system for future Pierce County generations and to encourage new leaders in the planning section to bring their ideas and voices forward.

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.

• Execute and oversee design contracts for conceptual design and cost estimating of various trail segments.

• Prepare, submit and obtain grants.

• 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.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees and the general public.

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

Qualifications

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in planning or related field.

• Three years of related planning work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of experience in park planning and system management-related work is desired.

• Proficient in GIS and Spatial Analysis.

• Experience in park and trail planning and design.

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's license, or the ability to obtain the license within 30 days of employment, or otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position.

Job Details:

• Physical location: 9850 64th St W, University Place, WA 98467
• Salary: $44.37-$56.82 per hour

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.

Supplemental Information

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 PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov 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?

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our Leadership Training Program, and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)

After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.

Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:

During years 1-3, 12 Days

During years 4-7, 16 Days

During years 8-13, 20 Days

During years 14-18, 23 Days

During years 19, 24 Days

During years 20, 25 Days

During years 21, 26 Days

During years 22, 27 Days

During years 23, 28 Days

During years 24, 29 Days

During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.

Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:

Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:

Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:

New Year's Day

• January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday

• Third Monday in January

President's Day

• Third Monday in February

Memorial Day

• Last Monday in May

Juneteenth

• June 19

Independence Day

• July 4

Labor Day

• First Monday in September

Veteran's Day

• November 11

Thanksgiving Day

• Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after

Christmas Day

• December 25

Personal Holidays:

Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:

Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:

Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the Pierce County Health Benefits website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:

Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:

All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Miscellaneous Benefits:

Please visit Pierce County's Benefits website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:

Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy here.

All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.

01

Please select your highest level of education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED

• High School Diploma or GED

• Associates Degree in planning, design, project management, engineering, urban design, or related field

• Associates Degree in an unrelated field

• Bachelors Degree in planning, design, project management, engineering, urban design, or related field

• Bachelors Degree in an unrelated field

• Masters Degree in planning, design, project management, engineering, urban design, or related field

• Masters Degree in an unrelated field

02

How many years of planning, program, and project management do you have? These could be any direct experience working with capital facilities planning, master plans, community plans, or comprehensive planning documents.

• I have no experience.
• I have 6 months but less than 1 year of experience.
• I have 1 year but less than 2 years of experience.
• I have 2 years but less than 3 years of experience.
• I have 3 years but less than 4 years of experience.
• I have 4 years but less than 5 years of experience.
• I have 5 years but less than 6 years of experience.
• I have 6 years but less than 7 years of experience.
• I have 7 years but less than 8 years of experience.
• I have 8 years but less than 9 years of experience.
• I have 9 years but less than 10 years of experience.
• I have over 10 years of experience.

03

After closely reviewing this job announcement, why do you believe you would be an outstanding candidate for this opportunity?

Required Question

Agency Pierce County

Address Pierce County Human Resources

2401 S 35th St, Rm 121

Tacoma, Washington, 98409

Phone (253) 798-7480

For Sheriff's Department positions: 253-798-6250

Website http://www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs