Project Analyst

About the role

In this role with Development Services, you will support responsible growth, protect public safety, and ensure efficient, predictable permitting experiences for our community. As a project and process leader, you will coordinate complex permitting workflows, track review timelines, analyze operational patterns, forecast future permit and application demand, collaborate with internal teams on fee setting, and help review teams deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Your work will regularly involve using data visualization and analytics tools such as Power BI, Power Query, and Workday to inform decisions and improve performance. You will partner closely with planners, engineers, building and fire plans examiners, customer service staff, and technical specialists to keep permit reviews moving efficiently, ensure deadlines are met, identify risks early, and continuously pursue improvement opportunities. Through this cross-disciplinary coordination, you will help strengthen communication, maintain statutory and internal review expectations, and provide actionable insights that support issue resolution.

Overall, you will help drive innovation and operational excellence across our permitting systems, business processes, and project delivery efforts, advancing the mission of the Development Services teams and improving how Pierce County serves its residents, builders, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department and County at a wide variety of board meetings, committees, public hearings, and community meetings.
• Work closely with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies on projects and program development.
• Facilitate planning committee meetings and public hearings/forums as appropriate.
• Participate in local and statewide workgroups regarding planning and policy development.
• Manage the development and implementation of department-wide strategic plans, and performance and accountability assessments; and/or other administrative programs or functions.
• Provide leadership in the management, development, and reporting of department activities through the department’s performance measures, monthly or quarterly information reports, annual summaries, and other reporting for the Department Director.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of sensitive and complex special studies and write reports and compile related statistical information.
• Coordinate and conduct office and workflow process teams in analysis, implementation, and enhancement of work processes. Assist teams in coordinating the impact of processes on other teams and County/outside entities. Assist with documentation of processes for teams and department.

Requirements

• Four years of project management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, data analytics, project management, or a related field. Additional education and experience that clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the classification may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification.
• Experience in permitting, planning, regulatory processes, or government operations.

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.

Skills

• Data visualization and analytics tools such as Power BI, Power Query, and Workday.
• Project and workflow leadership.
• Process mapping and forecasting.
• Cross-disciplinary coordination and communication.
• Strategic planning and performance assessment.

Professional Development

You will have access to robust professional development, including online learning, training workshops, and cross-departmental collaboration opportunities. This role builds a strong foundation in project leadership, analytics, and operational improvement—skills that create multiple avenues for growth within Pierce County. As you gain experience, you will be well-positioned for future advancement across permitting, planning, operational management, or process improvement roles that directly shape how Pierce County serves its communities.