Parks Capital Program Manager

Full Job Description

Requirements

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As the Capital Program Manager (Parks Stewardship and Infrastructure Delivery Manager), you will step into a key leadership role within Pierce County Parks and Recreation, where your vision and expertise will help shape vibrant, sustainable public spaces for generations to come.

You will lead and support a talented team across five impactful program areas: planning and policy development, capital programming and construction, grant development, and stewardship of open space and natural areas.

In this role, you will provide mentorship, training, and strategic direction to staff, while collaborating closely with the Director and executive leadership team on department-wide policy, budgeting, and operational priorities.

If you are passionate about public service, equity, and environmental stewardship and ready to make a lasting difference in your community, this is your opportunity to lead with purpose.

Why It's a Great Department:

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

How to be Successful in the Role: Success in this role starts with you, a collaborative, people-centered leader who brings both strategic insight and practical follow-through.

You lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and foster inclusion, building trust across diverse teams and community partners.

You use sound judgment, take accountability, and manage projects with transparency, delivering on time, within budget, and with care for public resources.

Advancing our Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) priorities will rely on your ability to plan thoughtfully, coordinate proactively, and follow through with discipline.

Equally important, you help shape a workplace culture grounded in respect, continuous learning, and shared responsibility.

You empower others, encourage collaboration, and bring clarity to goals and expectations.

Ultimately, your success is measured not just by results, but by the strong, lasting relationships you build, strengthening both our organization and the communities we serve.

Your Future in this Role:

In this dynamic role, you will have the opportunity to lead with purpose, shaping parks, trails, and public spaces that make a lasting impact across Pierce County.

You will play a key role in strengthening essential business processes, advancing capital projects, and engaging the community in meaningful ways.

This position also offers significant professional growth, with access to robust training, mentorship, and online learning opportunities designed to support your development and long-term success within Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for long-term planning, design, permitting, and construction of park, open space, and recreation facilities within the County’s Capital Improvement Program, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Oversee and develop the division’s operating and capital budgets, monitor expenditures, and manage grant applications and external funding sources to support strategic priorities.
• Manage and support division staff—including planners, project managers, and construction professionals—through effective supervision, coaching, performance management, and adherence to County policies and labor agreements.
• Supervise contracts and consultant relationships, including architects, engineers, and construction firms, ensuring quality, compliance, and accountability throughout all project phases.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with County departments, external agencies, cities, park districts, and community partners to align projects and advance shared goals.
• Develop and present analytical and technical reports, ordinances, and recommendations to the Director, County Executive, and Council, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and sound decision-making.

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

Qualifications

• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, civil engineering, project management, business or public administration or closely related field.
• Five to six years of increasingly responsible experience directly related to the position.
• Four years of supervisory experience.
• Please attach a current resume and cover letter with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of Applied Geographic Information System Technology (GIS).
• Skills associated with the development of Parks and Recreation Open Space plan and implementation of a Parks Capital Budget program.
• Professional engineering, project management license.

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.

Additional 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?