Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is an exciting opportunity to build Pierce County’s enterprise data and AI program, shaping how data is managed, shared, and used to improve decision-making across the organization. Reporting directly to the CIO, you will develop countywide strategies, governance, policies, and tools that establish a strong foundation for the next several years. You’ll build and grow a multidisciplinary team while partnering with departments to explore innovative uses of data (warehouses, lakes, reporting and dashboards),AI and Agents, improve efficiencies, and transform how work gets done. Your work will help Pierce County make better use of its data, responsibly adopt articificial intelligence technologies, and deliver greater value to the community.
Why It's a Great Department:
The Finance & Enterprise Services Department delivers enterprise-wide services that support every County department and many external partners, ensuring Pierce County operates effectively, efficiently, and with strong public stewardship. Finance & Enterprise Services staff provide a broad portfolio of high-impact, countywide services, including budgeting and performance management, fiscal services, procurement and contracting, information technology, general services, fleet services, and risk management.
Employees have the opportunity to work on strategic, enterprise-level initiatives, collaborate across departments, provide the operational and technical backbone which ensures the smooth delivery of services across the organization, and deliver critical analysis and decision support that informs leadership and shapes County priorities. The Finance & Enterprise Services Department is focused on creating a culture where employees can help improve service delivery to make a meaningful impact on County operations and the community. The Department leads with safety, empowerment, and collaboration to create an environment where every person can contribute, challenge ideas, and continuously improve.
Information Technology's 130 staff are responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the technologies that power essential public services in Pierce County. We provide diverse technology solutions including commercial applications, geographic information systems, and sophisticated custom software, supported by a robust hybrid infrastructure combining both on-premises and cloud-based platforms, and all secured by a reliable network. Our team thrives in a positive, collaborative environment combined with continual learning and development to enable our highly impactful work. Join us where your contributions truly make a difference.
Learn more about Finance and Enterprise Services Information here.
How to be Successful in the Role:
You bring a strategic, forward-thinking approach to understanding how data and AI can improve decision-making and operations across Pierce County. You are curious, adaptable, and eager to learn, with the ability to ask thoughtful questions, challenge existing practices, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and how work gets done. You build strong relationships through clear communication and active listening, working collaboratively across departments to explore new ideas and guide change. You look beyond immediate needs to develop countywide strategies, establish effective governance, and build programs and teams that can evolve with emerging technologies and organizational priorities.
Your Future in this Role:
A career with Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success. Through our robust online learning and variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development throughout your journey. This dedication extends beyond individual advancement, it reflects a broader mission to foster welcoming communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
- Lead development and implementation of a County-wide data and AI strategy aligned with County, department, and technology priorities.
- Work closely with CISO and CIO to establish and administer a federated data and AI governance framework defining ownership, stewardship, decision rights, prioritization, and accountability.
- Establish and maintain standards for data classification, quality, metadata, lineage, access, sharing, retention, and lifecycle management.
- Establish and oversee the County-wide privacy program, including privacy-by-design, data minimization, privacy assessments, data sharing requirements, and responsible handling of sensitive information.
- Establish standards for responsible AI, procurement, vendor assurance, and risk assessment addressing privacy, ethics, transparency, performance, accessibility, compliance, workforce impacts, and public trust; coordinate security requirements with the CISETO.
- Establish and maintain the enterprise data architecture and roadmap. Direct the development and operation of shared data platforms and services.
- Oversee the County’s AI and intelligent-automation portfolio and govern solutions throughout their lifecycle.
- Lead applied research, program evaluation, performance measurement, forecasting, analytics, and data products.
- Build and lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for data architecture and engineering, research and analytics, AI, privacy, governance, and intelligent automation; manage assigned supervisors, team leads, and staff, including workforce planning, performance management, development, and succession planning.
- Build County-wide data and AI literacy. Foster a culture of stewardship, trust, accountability, and public value.
A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here. Minimum Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in data science, computer science, information systems, statistics, or a related field may substitute for up to four (4) years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
- Nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise data management, governance, analytics, applied research, privacy, artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, or a related field, to include three (3) years supervising professional or technical staff and leading complex enterprise or cross-functional programs.
- Attach a resume and a cover letter.
Qualifying Experience Must Include:
- Experience developing and leading organization-wide programs that improve how data and artificial intelligence are managed and used to support business operations and decision-making.
- Experience evaluating, implementing, and managing artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies to improve services, increase efficiency, and support organizational goals.
- Experience managing data systems, cloud-based platforms, and processes that ensure information is accurate, accessible, secure, and appropriately shared across an organization.
- Experience developing and managing practices that protect sensitive information, support the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
- Experience leading and developing teams, working collaboratively across departments, advising executive leadership, and successfully implementing new programs, technologies, and organizational changes in complex environments.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration. Supplemental Information
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.
Benefits
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our Leadership Training Program, and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave) After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave. Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days During years 4-7, 16 Days During years 8-13, 20 Days During years 14-18, 23 Days During years 19, 24 Days During years 20, 25 Days During years 21, 26 Days During years 22, 27 Days During years 23, 28 Days During years 24, 29 Days During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next. Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1 Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January President's Day - Third Monday in February Memorial Day - Last Monday in May Juneteenth - June 19 Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - First Monday in September Veteran's Day - November 11 Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the Pierce County Health Benefits website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
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.
ORCA Passport Program Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit Pierce County's Benefits website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy here. **All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.