The Public Works Department's Transportation Division is seeking qualified candidates for the Appointive Position of Engineer PE, Principal, within the Planning, Permitting, and Mobility Section.
This section is responsible for providing technical engineering and planning support related to the Division's review of land use permits, site improvements for both private and public developments, as well as large-scale partnership projects with external agencies. The selected candidate will lead a team dedicated to these duties while overseeing staff management and performance. Additionally, this role will play a pivotal part in guiding the implementation of the City's Transportation and Mobility Plan.
The ideal candidate will bring substantial expertise in transportation engineering, particularly in areas such as traffic impact analysis, traffic impact fee assessment (as applicable), access and circulation planning, right-of-way design, and permitting regulations. The position demands an individual who can effectively communicate complex ideas through both oral and written formats, tailored to diverse audiences. Strong leadership, public service commitment, and the ability to foster an approachable yet professional environment are essential for success in this role.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following traits, skills, and abilities:
Essential Traits:
Instill Trust – gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and authenticity.
Manage Complexity – can make sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes, contradictory information to solve problems effectively.
Action Oriented – take on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Optimize Work Processes – knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things accomplished, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Ensure Accountability – hold self and others accountable to meet commitments
Drive Results – consistently achieve results, even under tough circumstances
Collaborate – build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Skills and Abilities:
Ability to read and understand engineering site plans, technical reports and manuals.
Significant experience with traffic impact analyses and private development permitting.
Experience with transportation planning and engineering, and knowledge of civil engineering standards and practices.
Experience with project management, budgeting, and consultant contract administration.
Experience with applicable Federal, State and Local regulations, including ADA, SEPA and NEPA; and current literature, trends, and developments in the transportation field.
Ability to research, prepare, and present technical recommendations to other departments, officials, and external groups.
Ability to work in a sometimes hectic and high pressure atmosphere.
Participate in and/or lead multi-disciplinary teams.
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and assignments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent customer (whether internal or external) service skills, specifically:
Responding to requests in a timely manner.
Reviewing engineering documents quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Providing clear explanations of recommendations.
Division Overview: The mission of the Transportation Division is to support the City of Tacoma’s goals through the fiscally and environmentally responsible planning, design, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Tacoma. Our services enhance the community by improving the function of the multi-modal transportation network for all users.
Safe: We prioritize the safety of all users, and strive to build a transportation system that provides safe and reliable access for all users and neighborhoods
Equitable: We center anti-racism in our work and work to decrease disparities in our transportation system.
Sustainable: We recognize that transportation is a leading contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions and work to improve the efficiency of our existing investments and to prioritize active transportation and transit in new investments.
The Transportation Division collaborates with a broad cross-section of disciplines to establish and implement transportation plans and policies, including:
Transportation Master Plan,
Safe Routes to School Action Plan,
Vision Zero Action Plan, and
Transportation elements of long-range planning documents.
The Transportation Division provides a unique opportunity for engineers to work with a wide variety of City Departments, local, county, and statewide partners, and community stakeholders to create a transportation system that is safe and accessible for all ages and abilities. The types of projects can cover the full spectrum of commercial, industrial, and single-family residential projects.
Minimum Education* Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or directly related field
Minimum Experience* 5 years including 1 year prior as a licensed professional engineer or project lead/intermittent supervisor *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements TECHNICAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Certifications based on assignment Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer and maintenance thereafter** AS ASSIGNED: Washington State Driver's License **6-month grace period allowable to transfer PE license from another state to WA
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Position may require driving, sitting, standing, walking or climbing for long periods of time. Work performed in office, field and other environments.
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Apply Interested City of Tacoma current employees should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the supplemental questions evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts. These questions will be scored on the basis of the information provided; therefore, it is the responsibility of the applicant to carefully list all pertinent experience and training. The evaluation committee will not have access to the candidate's application. Providing false information will result in disqualification. Candidates must pass this evaluation in order to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Communication from the City of Tacoma: We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 prior to 4pm on the date of this posting closing.
Birthplace of world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, Tacoma is home to a vibrant, creative community of writers, artists and musicians, photographers, filmmakers, passionate entrepreneurs and business owners.
Tacoma is experiencing unprecedented growth.
With more than $1 billion being invested in downtown Tacoma alone, private investment has surpassed public investment by a nearly 4:1 ratio.
Urbanites are drawn to downtown Tacoma for its competitively priced living spaces with sweeping mountain, city and water views, while families gravitate toward Tacoma's charming neighborhoods with big city amenities.
A haven for hikers, runners and cyclists, Tacoma is alive with activity from students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, local trade and technical colleges, and nearby Pacific Lutheran University.
Tacoma's gourmands and culinary connoisseurs have cultivated a scene for foodies that’s made national press, while its world renowned museums, top-notch meeting and convention spaces, and huge headliner concerts have drawn visitors from across the globe.
Just 20 minutes away from... the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and easily accessible from downtown Seattle and other neighboring cities, Tacoma is a city on the rise.
