Permit Services Lead (Senior Civil Engineering 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!

Position Overview:
SDOT's Street Use division presents an opportunity as a Permit Services Lead (under the City's classification of Senior Civil Engineering Specialist) to work with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle's environment and economic vitality. Street Use accomplishes these goals by managing activities and construction occurring in the right of way through issuing permits, inspection, project coordination, public outreach, and plan review.

In this role, you will lead about 6 - 12 permit staff will who are responsible for technical review of various construction and utility permit applications and projects in the public right of way. This requires interacting with customers and their needs in preparing applications, understanding corrections needed and steps to move permit application to issuance. You will lead a team through reviewing and managing a high-volume queue of permit applications, and coordinating closely with different experts and stakeholders.

Your leadership will help ensure activities within, and impacts to, Seattle’s streets (and right-of-way) are permitted according to applicable regulations, prioritizing safety, mobility, asset protection and access. This position reports to the Permit Services Supervisor.

Requirements

• As a working Lead, plan, organize, direct, prioritize and evaluate the work activities of Permit Services staff.
• Conduct permit review and provide customer service, online, over the phone, and in-person at the Permit Use counter.
• Provide programmatic leadership related to analysis, maintenance and review of departmental and division policies and procedures regarding permit processing, review, and compliance.
• Assist in evaluating data and reports for purpose of observing trends, development of services, staff analysis and program efficiency.
• Perform and ensure staff maintain thorough permit quality assurance ad quality control measures through the permit issuing process.
• Supervise functions to coordinate pre-submittal and pre-construction conferences.
• Lead support functions related to inspection warning response.
• Supervise functions related to permit cancellation, voiding, refunds, credit memos and resolution of permit related accounting issues.
• May serve on internal and external committees to standardize and improve specifications, materials, methods, and procedures.
• Support department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires four (4) years of Civil Engineering experience;
• An Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college level coursework in engineering and construction technology;

OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Successful candidates in this body of work will also have:

• Familiarity with technology including Microsoft products, email management, electronic plan review.
• Understanding of construction means and methods.
• Field experience related to utility and or construction.
• An ability to understand and interpret code and policy.
• Team based leadership and supervisory skills.
• Positive and flexible leadership style.
• An ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Additional Information

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options .At this time, three (3) days in-office and two (2) days remotely.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including 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 full salary range for this position is $60.61 - $67.91 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 on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.