| Location | Tacoma, WA |
Water Quality Specialist 3 Temporary Hire
Salary
$42.03 Hourly
Location
Tacoma, WA
Job Type
Extra Hire
Job Number
26-00869
Department
Planning and Public Works
Division
PPW Surface Water Management
Opening Date
08/17/2026
Closing Date
8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Summary
Why its a great opportunity: In this temporary hire position with the Water Quality team, you will gain experience in research and project management involving in two vital projects to support our customers and community. First, you will read and interpret the Pierce County Stormwater Manual to create educational and guidance materials for developers and residents of the County. Creating user guides and standardized forms will allow residents and contractors to better understanding what is required in the permitting process and allow quicker processing of those permits. Second, you will be reaching out to various municipalities, stake holders, and staff to research incentives for the Pierce County Stormwater Maintenance Self Inspection Program. The work you do here will support more efficient permitting processes and ongoing stormwater management and maintenance programs.
Why its a great department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW's 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 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 here.
How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from your being a self-starter with fundamental knowledge and interest in environmental science and water quality. You will need strong research, outreach, communication, and collaboration skills. You will be successful by engaging with diverse stakeholders, municipalities and county staff to effectively communicate and facilitate discussions. Strong technical writing skills are essential, including the ability to draft clear documentation and translate complex information into plain language. Being goal oriented, improvement focused with a growth mindset will also support your success.
Your future in this role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.
Core daily responsibilities:
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.
Minimum Qualifications
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:
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 County's 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 Executive's 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.
Our benefits:
Sick Leave
Extra hires are eligible to receive sick leave in accordance with the WA State Minimum Wage Act. Extra hires are not eligible for other County benefits.
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.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
Pro-tem Judges in District Court, Pro-tem Superior Court Commissioners, Extra Hires with Retirement, and Work Study Students with Retirement are eligible for Retirement and Deferred Compensation and Social Security.
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washingtons Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment may be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the Countys ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.
To participate once hired the employee will need to contact the Planning and Public Works Commute team.
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A resume and cover letter are required to be attached individually to your application for consideration of this position. Have you ensured that both are attached?
Required Question
Employer Pierce County
Address Pierce County Human Resources
1501 Market Street, Suite 410
Tacoma, Washington, 98402
Phone (253) 798-7480
For Sheriffs Office positions: 253-798-6250