Parks Administrative Program Manager

Why It's a Great Opportunity

As the Administrative Program Manager 2, you will serve as a strategic partner to the Business and Financial Operations Manager, ensuring smooth operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. In this role, you will lead the grants, contracts, and procurement team and maintain compliance with evolving procurement standards. You will oversee data analytics, reporting, performance measures, and IT support for the department while fostering collaboration between accounting and procurement teams.

Additionally, you will supervise five team members, build an inclusive team culture, set strategic goals, and drive success grounded in County contracting and procurement practices. Immediate priorities include hiring your team, ensuring procedures are followed, completing a fee study, and promoting transparency across operations.

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

To thrive in this role, you bring strong leadership and decision-making skills, paired with the ability to think strategically and stay organized under pressure. You are a collaborative communicator who values inclusion and empowers others to succeed. You understand data and processes, adapt quickly to change, and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment. Your approach ensures accountability, clarity, and a positive team culture.

This is a great role with varied activities supporting business processes with community engagement that touches everyone who lives or works in Pierce County. Pierce County offers professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

• Develop and implement operating policies and procedures consistent with established parameters and guidelines.
• Participate in and support development, measurement and execution of the mission, goals, and objectives of the County, department, division and individual work groups.
• Work closely with other County departments, local, state and federal agencies and private businesses to coordinate activities and comply uniformly with requirements.
• Work closely with Information Technology division of Finance to determine computer needs, convey requirements and coordinate implementation.
• Responsible for the preparation and presentation of the budget and its subsequent cost control and monitoring; determine priorities on budget items, develop alternatives, and provide fiscal analysis.
• Develop or assist in developing requests for proposals and contracts with service providers; ensure compliance with county requirements.

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

• Additional education or experience may substitute equally for the position requirements
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration or a related field
• Four or more years of experience in an administrative position requiring budgetary, personnel and supervisory skills
• Please attach a copy of your cover letter with your application. Failure to attach this will result in an incomplete application.

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.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any Work Source location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative…