Why It's a Great Opportunity:
Pierce County’s Planning and Public Works Department (PPW) is looking for a Language Access and Equity Coordinator! In this role, you will create policies and programs to increase access and awareness of PPW services to residents and workers of the County to whom English is not their first/primary language. Through innovative outreach and educational solutions, as well as partnerships, you will provide knowledge of our capabilities to the underrepresented and disadvantaged residents of Pierce County who would benefit from increased language access.

Why It's a Great Department:
PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are 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 stem from your knowledge of and ability to work with subject matter experts within PPW on our wide-ranging projects, programs, and policies. An essential skill is your ability to build meaningful relationships with community leaders, PPW leadership and staff, and Pierce County residents. Skills in communication, planning, program development, collaboration, and goal setting will also drive your success. This is an opportunity to inform those around us whose primary language is not English and to help remove barriers experienced by immigrant and refugee communities, as well as others who are not primarily English speakers.

Your Future in this Role:
Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, 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.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

Develop and coordinate initiatives and resources that will culminate in a language access plan to improve equitable access to Planning and Public Works Department services and outreach efforts, including collaborating with other parties to share common resources across the County.
Build collaborative relationships across Planning and Public Works divisions and establish working relationships across the County with other departments.
Propose policies, programs, and practices intended to improve equitable access to the Department’s services and outreach efforts.
Advise program and project managers on the use of available resources to remove barriers to access, inform public investments and program goals, and evaluate impacts.
Ensure training of managers and front-line staff on language access policies and availability of resources. Develop and deliver informational materials to Planning and Public Works divisions to highlight available resources to increase equitable access for services and outreach efforts.

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

A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communications, DEI, or a closely related field.
2 or more years of community engagement or program management experience.
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.
Written and verbal skills in languages outside of English spoken in Pierce County communities and/or familiarity working in or with communities who speak languages other than English is strongly preferred.

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 a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/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 great place people are proud to call home?

Pierce County jobs

Language Access and Equity Coordinator