Geo Teams Senior Planning & Development Specialist

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!

Are you someone who believes government can work best when it listens deeply and partners authentically with communities?

As the Senior Planning and Development Specialist, you’ll be a key member of a team that will shape the future of how Seattle engages with neighborhoods on transportation issues by designing, launching and leading this innovative program rooted in trust, transparency, and radical inclusivity.

This is a senior-level position where you'll lead the charge in turning community-driven feedback into actionable policies and projects that enhance mobility, equity, and safety.

You'll serve as a critical partner in the new Geo Teams Program, collaborating across departments, stakeholders, and neighborhoods to develop strategies that align with SDOT's values and the needs of Seattle's diverse communities.

Beyond technical planning, this role leans into transformational relationship-building, giving traditionally underserved voices a meaningful platform to guide our city's growth.

If you’re energized by advancing equity through cross-sector collaboration and ready to be part of a team that’s working at the intersection of transportation and community, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Requirements

• Builds and maintains strong community relationships through authentic engagement, centering marginalized voices to shape policies and priorities.
• Serves as a contact for the community, including residents, businesses, organizations, constituents, community members, elected officials and their staff, and city staff, before, during, and after projects are completed.
• Coordinates across SDOT divisions and City departments to translate community feedback into transportation plans, projects and actions that align with funding.
• Supports system and process development that tracks community feedback.
• Develops equity-driven policy and budget recommendations that reflect community needs and align with the Seattle Transportation Plan and levy commitments.
• Fosters constructive relationships with elected officials by serving as a trusted advisor and advocate for community priorities.
• Develops and delivers presentations and briefings about projects and transportation issues to community members and groups, City officials, departmental management, and other stakeholders, providing clear and concise information about project elements, project management and public engagement process, and other topics such as mitigation efforts or explanations for certain project and program decisions.
• Supports departmental goals in promoting diversity and social justice by ensuring that minority and underrepresented people and their feedback, opinions, and voices are sought out and considered in all stages of project development and decision-making.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development activities.

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:

• Master’s degree in urban planning, public administration, social work, education, or related field
• Expertise in leading equity-driven, community-based programs or initiatives
• Experience working directly with Indigenous, Black, and other communities of color on transportation, public policy, or community development efforts
• Deep knowledge of Seattle’s neighborhoods, transportation system, and the historical context of transportation equity
• A proven track record of delivering measurable results in change management, particularly in large or complex organizations
• Ability to develop, communicate, and advocate for policy recommendations to executive leadership, elected officials, and public boards
• Demonstrated innovation in stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and advancing transformational outcomes for marginalized communities
• Multilingual or proficiency in a language other than English.
• Moderate to advanced proficiency using MS applications.
• Working knowledge of transportation planning, policies, multimodal transportation systems, and projects.
• Working knowledge of database management and analysis, mapping software, dashboards and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Other Requirements:
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 week.

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

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 $56.23 to $65.54 per hour.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Ryan Jones at Ryan.Jones@Seattle.gov.

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 on request.