Senior Urban Designer
Apply NowCompany: City of Seattle, WA
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
Salary: $58.45 - $67.95 Hourly
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00535
Department: Seattle Department of Transportation
Division: Policy Planning
Opening Date: 04/22/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Join us in shaping Seattle's streets and public spaces!
At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don't just move people, we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.
With a bold vision for the future, we're tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, creating welcoming public spaces and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.
Seattle is growing fast, and we're growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we're building sidewalks, bike lanes, plazas, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving safely.
We're a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews-bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let's build a Seattle that works for everyone, together!
SDOT's Policy & Planning Division is thrilled to announce two exciting opportunities for Senior Urban Designers, under the city's classification title of (Senior Transportation Planner), to join its Urban Design Section. These newly created positions will play a pivotal role in advancing two transformative, levy-funded initiatives: the Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program and the People, Streets and Public Spaces (PSPS) Capital Program.
As project managers for either the Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program or the PSPS Capital Program, these roles offer the chance to shape Seattle's urban landscape and deliver impactful, community-focused projects. The Senior Urban Designers will lead a variety of design, coordination, data analysis, and community engagement activities to support SDOT's mission and goals. The selected candidates will dedicate 40% of their time to developing transportation and urban design plans and projects, another 40% of their time to project review and coordination, and the remaining 20% of their time will be committed to community engagement activities.
The Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program, a mayoral priority, requires a thoughtful approach to navigating complex and sensitive issues. Representative projects include neighborhood assessments, public realm design, and program coordination across SDOT and the City. The People, Streets and Public Spaces Program, defined in the Seattle Transportation Plan, focuses on creating vibrant, accessible public spaces that enhance the city's livability. Representative projects include public realm design, street design concept development and guidance, and project development in partnership with community groups and organizations.
Ideal candidates will bring a wealth of experience in urban design and transportation planning, along with a commitment to embedding Seattle's Race and Social Justice priorities into every aspect of their work. They will also be well-versed in the design and delivery of people-oriented streets and public spaces through both tactical urbanism and long-term improvement projects. These positions are opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of Seattle's residents.
Job Responsibilities
People Streets, and Public Spaces: Additional Duties
Low Pollution Neighborhoods: Additional Duties
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field.
Experience: Three (3) years of full-time experience with urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation planning, or public realm design and delivery projects.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position's duties.
Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or can describe comparable experience:
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
Licenses:
Additional Information
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.
Hiring Process:
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:
Completed NEOGOV online application. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Current rsum indicating relevant experience and education. Supplemental questionnaire responses.
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The City's full salary range for this position is $ 58.45 - $ 67.95 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
http://www.seattle.gov/jobs
ZB
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
Job #2025-00535
If you are unable to apply on-line you may submit a paper application by the closing date to our office.
OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, WA 98104
Careers@seattle.gov
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field?
02
Do you have three years of full-time experience with urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, or transportation planning projects?
03
Which of these positions aligns best with your experience and interests? A: BothB: Low-Pollution NeighborhoodsC: People Streets & Public Spaces
Required Question
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00535
Department: Seattle Department of Transportation
Division: Policy Planning
Opening Date: 04/22/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Join us in shaping Seattle's streets and public spaces!
At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don't just move people, we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.
With a bold vision for the future, we're tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, creating welcoming public spaces and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live.
Seattle is growing fast, and we're growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we're building sidewalks, bike lanes, plazas, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving safely.
We're a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews-bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let's build a Seattle that works for everyone, together!
SDOT's Policy & Planning Division is thrilled to announce two exciting opportunities for Senior Urban Designers, under the city's classification title of (Senior Transportation Planner), to join its Urban Design Section. These newly created positions will play a pivotal role in advancing two transformative, levy-funded initiatives: the Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program and the People, Streets and Public Spaces (PSPS) Capital Program.
As project managers for either the Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program or the PSPS Capital Program, these roles offer the chance to shape Seattle's urban landscape and deliver impactful, community-focused projects. The Senior Urban Designers will lead a variety of design, coordination, data analysis, and community engagement activities to support SDOT's mission and goals. The selected candidates will dedicate 40% of their time to developing transportation and urban design plans and projects, another 40% of their time to project review and coordination, and the remaining 20% of their time will be committed to community engagement activities.
The Low-Pollution Neighborhoods Program, a mayoral priority, requires a thoughtful approach to navigating complex and sensitive issues. Representative projects include neighborhood assessments, public realm design, and program coordination across SDOT and the City. The People, Streets and Public Spaces Program, defined in the Seattle Transportation Plan, focuses on creating vibrant, accessible public spaces that enhance the city's livability. Representative projects include public realm design, street design concept development and guidance, and project development in partnership with community groups and organizations.
Ideal candidates will bring a wealth of experience in urban design and transportation planning, along with a commitment to embedding Seattle's Race and Social Justice priorities into every aspect of their work. They will also be well-versed in the design and delivery of people-oriented streets and public spaces through both tactical urbanism and long-term improvement projects. These positions are opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of Seattle's residents.
Job Responsibilities
- Manage and support the identification and development of Urban Design projects and programs.
- Participate in consultant selection, scope negotiation, and management of consultant teams.
- Identify and recommend transportation and land use policies, code amendments, and design guidance needed to implement people streets and public spaces and/or low-pollution neighborhoods.
- Identify opportunities for spot improvements, pilot and tactical redesign projects, transformational placemaking projects, and locations to reallocate street space to support people-oriented uses.
- Develop work plans, schedules, and budgets for program implementation.
- Coordinate with project developers, designers, and engineers to support project implementation.
- Lead and support co-creation with the community and partner with other city departments and agencies, local businesses, landowners, residents, and community groups.
- Respond to citizen inquiries that arise through community conversations or direct communications by explaining policies or investigating an issue further.
- Serve as subject matter expert and provide review of private and public projects.
- Participate in Policy & Planning Division operations - including weekly team meetings, monthly All-Staff meetings, etc.
- Conduct general administrative work, including filing, training, and responding to general communications.
- Support departmental goals in promoting diversity and social justice in keeping with the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative.
People Streets, and Public Spaces: Additional Duties
- Develop updates to Streets Illustrated, Seattle's Right-of-Way Improvements Manual, that align with the People, Streets and Public Spaces (PSPS) element of the Seattle Transportation Plan, including interagency coordination and review and development of standards and guidelines to advance implementation of PSPS in alignment with City goals.
- Coordination with Office of Planning & Community Development, Seattle Design Commission, Office of Arts & Culture, and other various departments, agencies, and commissions.
- Lead and support the development of People Streets and Public Spaces projects from concept design through project development and delivery.
Low Pollution Neighborhoods: Additional Duties
- Coordination with the Office of Sustainability & Environment, Office of Planning & Community Development, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Parks Department, and other various departments, agencies, and commissions.
- Lead and support the development of pilots, projects, and programs associated with Low-Pollution Neighborhoods.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field.
Experience: Three (3) years of full-time experience with urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation planning, or public realm design and delivery projects.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position's duties.
Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or can describe comparable experience:
- Master's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, or relevant subject area.
- Three (3) years of experience leading urban design and/or transportation projects. This could include corridor designs or studies, people-oriented street and public space design, and delivery for public rights-of-way, transit station access plans, or urban design studies or neighborhood plans.
- Three (3) years of experience briefing and making recommendations to senior management, elected officials, and representatives of other public agencies; communication skills (written and oral) that are effective and persuasive with a wide diversity of people; superior writing skills, including grant writing experience.
- Demonstrated ability to independently set workload priorities; plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work of assigned team members; and work with demanding and competing deadlines.
- Experience working with elected officials and coordinating and working on matrixed and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Ability to communicate complex issues with a broad range of audiences.
- Experience serving as a representative of the agency on multi-agency committees and leading staff teams.
- Experience building relationships with the community and conducting community engagement activities.
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and analysis software to prepare plans, reports, track and administer grants, and develop briefing materials.
- Proficient with ESRI ArcGIS, SketchUp, Bluebeam, and the Adobe Creative Suite (including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign). Comfortable in developing hand sketches and drawings and/or computer software-generated 3-dimensional models to support design discussions.
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
- Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of the work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of the work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.
Licenses:
- Current Washington State driver's license, or alternative transportation.
Additional Information
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.
Hiring Process:
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The City's full salary range for this position is $ 58.45 - $ 67.95 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
http://www.seattle.gov/jobs
ZB
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
Job #2025-00535
If you are unable to apply on-line you may submit a paper application by the closing date to our office.
OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, WA 98104
Careers@seattle.gov
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have three years of full-time experience with urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, or transportation planning projects?
- Yes
- No
03
Which of these positions aligns best with your experience and interests? A: BothB: Low-Pollution NeighborhoodsC: People Streets & Public Spaces
- Both
- Low-Pollution Neighborhoods
- People Streets & Public Spaces
Required Question