Freight Program Lead (Strategic Advisor 2)

Full Job Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

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, 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, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

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!

The Freight Program Lead (Strategic Advisor 2) is the primary subject matter expert and strategist for freight investments in Seattle. The Freight Program Lead will take-on the program's $45 million Seattle Transportation Levy portfolio and will be responsible for delivering on all Freight Program levy and non-levy commitments. The position will oversee a team of two planners and two engineers with expertise in freight and rail operations in urban and industrial settings. This team is tasked with turning the vision of the Seattle Transportation Plan into actionable projects. In addition, the Freight Program Lead will act as a bridge and foster partnerships between SDOT, Seattle's Maritime Industrial community, and partners amongst government agencies and the academic community.

Requirements

• Oversee the planning, preliminary design, and implementation of $45 million of Freight Program commitments in the Seattle Transportation Levy.
• Lead a team of two transportation planners and two civil engineers tasked with turning the Seattle Transportation Plan into actionable projects.
• Advance Freight and Goods Movement project and planning efforts in coordination with Pedestrian, Bicycle, Transit, Vehicle, and Emerging Technology modal goals.
• Act as the main bridge between SDOT and entities like the Port of Seattle, Northwest Seaport Alliance, Sound Industrial Association, Business Improvement Areas, Amtrak, and railroads and support the development of interagency agreements.
• Coordinate with other City organization units such as the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), Capital Projects and Roadway Structures (CPRS), Policy and Planning (P&P), and Construction Management (CM).
• Provide recommendations for SDOT and city leaders to help shape policy and decision-making on the local and regional levels.
• Develop communication channels to better engage business and industrial stakeholders such as marine, maritime and rail businesses.
• Foster collaboration with academic institutions like the University of Washington Urban Freight Lab.
• Act as the staff liaison to the Seattle Freight Advisory Board and participate as a voting member on the Puget Sound Regional Council Freight Advisory Committee.
• Track project and program budgets, scopes of work, risks, and schedules, and coordinate projects delivery across SDOT divisions and with interagency partners.
• Fulfill mandatory reporting requirements to federal and state agencies for railroad crossing conditions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, transportation planning, or related field

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of experience overseeing complex freight transportation programs or projects.
• Five (5) years of direct supervisory experience, including staff development and conducting performance evaluations.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• Professional licensing such as a PE or AICP.
• Experience in one or more of the following
  • Maritime, marine, rail or other goods movement modes
  • Intergovernmental relations both horizontally (across agencies) and vertically (local to regional/state/federal)
  • Project or program management
• Ability to communicate advanced technical material to a variety of audiences including external agencies at all levels of government administration and both national and international entities including Class I railroads, port terminal administrators, business owners, and labor leadership.
  

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work wee

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:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
4. Supplemental questionnaire responses.

Job offer is contingent upon verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process and may include a criminal history background check and reference information.

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 full salary range for this position is $56.57 - $84.88 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

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 upon request.