Parks Construction Project Manager 3

Full Job Description

This position will be required to work in person for the majority of a 40-hour week. Hybrid work options are possible on a case-by-case basis. This position requires regular in-person meetings at construction sites with occasional in-person requirements for public and stakeholder meetings.

Requirements

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity for those interested in improving Pierce County communities through parks, trails, and open space.

As a Construction Project Manager 3 (CPM3), you will work on a wide range of complex, challenging projects in the office and in the field.

Your work will include managing and overseeing consultants and contractors, creating bid specifications and documents, preparing and monitoring project budgets, obtaining required federal, state, or local permits, ensuring contract compliance, and overseeing project construction.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your organization, negotiation, and communication skills through your work with the public and elected officials.

You will get to work outside, work across divisions, across departments, and on a wide range of challenging projects that allow you to develop and implement design solutions.

Examples of projects you would be involved with: Orangegate Park, new playgrounds, and community centers. You will also work on system-wide multi-modal trail projects.

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:

We are seeking a candidate who brings a diverse skill set that can interpret technical engineering and architectural drawings, collaborate effectively with community groups and the public, and communicate clearly across divisions and departments.

A successful candidate knows how to set expectations with consultants and contractors and hold them accountable.

You enjoy developing thoughtful design solutions, navigating project challenges, and contributing to complex, multi-faceted work.

Your Future in this Role:

You will engage in the Parks Department’s 10-year capital project list of park and trail improvements that include everything from trail repairs to new buildings, new park spaces, and new open space amenities.

With this, you will have the opportunity to define and guide the final amenities coming to the park system.

This is an exciting time as we look to reduce our footprint by providing sustainable designs while engaging a wider public and increasing capacity in the system.

Pierce County is committed to your professional development, offering comprehensive online learning modules and additional training opportunities throughout your career to ensure sustained success.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Lead, facilitate, and plan project management tasks related to the construction and remodel of major building or capital development projects.
• Prepare and process construction change orders and negotiates costs with contractors. Ensure contract is completed within budget as specified.
• Develop requests for proposals, bids, and contracts; and participates in evaluations of RFP’s; provides management oversight of contracts to ensure compliance with licensing, permits, and insurance requirements.
• Review plans and specifications to conform to all design elements, construction details, use of proper materials and operating performance requirements. Discuss problems with consultants.
• Participate with consultants (e.g., architects, engineers, planners. designers, etc.), facility users, County and building maintenance staff, and other project managers to solve facility problems throughout the design and construction processes.

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

Qualifications

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience directly related
• Bachelor's Degree in landscape architecture, architecture, construction management, civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, project management, business, public administration, or closely related field from an accredited college or university

• Please attach a current resume and cover letter with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Construction management experience
• Experience leading the work of consultants and contractors delivering public space development projects
• Experience with Procore and MS Projects
• Knowledge of the Pierce County Permit Process or be familiar with the permit review process from another jurisdiction

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• A valid Washington State driver's license is required or the ability to otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position.

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?