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Posted: March 3, 2026 (10 days ago)

Added to FreshGovJobs: March 11, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Senior Capital Projects Engagement Specialist, Senior (Planning & Development Specialist, Senior)

City of Seattle

Seattle Public Utilities

Recent

Location

Salary

$56.23 - $65.54

per hour

Closes

Open until filled

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading community outreach and engagement for major infrastructure projects in water, drainage, wastewater, and waste management for the City of Seattle.

The role focuses on creating strategies to involve the public during project planning, design, and construction, while coordinating meetings, managing communications, and overseeing external consultants.

It's a great fit for someone with experience in public relations or community organizing who enjoys building relationships and ensuring projects meet community needs.

Key Requirements

  • Experience developing and implementing public engagement strategies for capital projects
  • Strong skills in coordinating community meetings, events, and stakeholder interactions
  • Ability to present and report on project progress and activities
  • Proficiency in tracking correspondence and managing ongoing community relations
  • Experience developing and managing consultant contracts and overseeing work products
  • Knowledge of equity, inclusion, and social justice principles in public engagement
  • Familiarity with utility services or infrastructure projects (preferred)

Full Job Description

Priority review will be given to applications received before March 24th.

Seattle Public Utilities is seeking a qualified Senior Capital Projects Engagement Specialist to provide critical support by leading public engagement for capital improvement projects (CIPs) across its Drinking Water, Drainage, Wastewater, and Solid Waste lines of business.

This position is responsible for developing and implementing community engagement strategies during the planning, design, and construction phases of capital projects.

The role includes presenting and reporting on project progress and activities, tracking and preparing correspondence, coordinating community meetings and events, and managing ongoing interactions with stakeholders and community members.

In addition, the position develops and manages consultant contracts and oversees consultants’ work products to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with project objectives and public engagement standards.

If you feel this may be the perfect job for you, please continue reading ...and APPLY!


About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations.

We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses.

In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities.

Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.


For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit:

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity.

We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring, and promotional opportunities.

Why join us?

We know work isn’t only about what you do, it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

  • Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
  • Generous benefits package
  • Free public transportation options
  • City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
  • Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Requirements


  • Leading community engagement for capital improvement projects during planning, design, and construction. Serve as subject matter expert on community engagement to department management and project teams.
    • Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
    • Engage with project teams and community stakeholders to strategize, adjust, and implement the most appropriate and inclusive community engagement plans for assigned projects.
    • Develop engagement plans, correspondence, outreach materials, and web content related to capital projects.
    • Organize and staff in-person and virtual outreach activities.
    • Serve as liaison with other departments and agencies on public engagement issues.
    • Coach project team members on communications, interview, and presentation skills.
    • Elevate potential issues that could affect the department and SPU customers – “No surprises rule”.
  • Presenting and reporting on project progress and activities, tracking correspondence, events, and interactions with community.
    • Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
    • Track and report project interactions and contacts using SPU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System.
    • Present project progress and facilitate at in-person and virtual community meetings.
    • Foster and facilitate collaborative relationships between project team members and impacted communities.
  • Developing and managing consultant contracts and overseeing consultants’ work products.
    • Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
    • Develop and manage outreach consultant contracts.
    • Oversee strategies and deliverables by consultants to ensure project outreach objectives and SPU/City public engagement, service equity, accessibility, and construction communications guidelines are met.

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.

Qualifications

Experience: Requires 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.

Education: A Baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field.

Experience and Education Equivalency: Other combinations of education and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

  • Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment. Requires working nights and weekends occasionally to lead and facilitate community meetings and briefings.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Computer software: MS Office Suite, MS Outlook, SharePoint, MS Teams, Webex or other online meeting platforms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
  • Smartphone, personal computer.
  • Valid WA driver’s license and ability to operate a City motor pool vehicle.
  • Three or more years of experience working with Seattle's communities of color or people with low income, and the ability to apply race and social justice principles at all levels of the work.
  • Experience with capital projects in urban settings, involving public outreach and communications is a plus.
  • Experience organizing and facilitating in-person and virtual community meetings, experience hosting virtual events and break-out sessions is a plus.
  • Ability to plan strategically and deliver high quality outreach tactics with quick turnaround time.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, creativity, and strong attention to detail; must be able to convey complex information in simple language.
  • Experience overseeing deliverables by consultant.
  • Self-starter and strong team player who can manage multiple projects with flexibility, adaptability, and responsiveness.
  • High level of people and process management skills including deescalating and mediating between competing interests.
  • Ability to engage stakeholders and coworkers in a manner that reflects partnership and respect.
  • Sound judgment and decision-making skills and the ability to work with conflicting priorities.
  • Desire to work in a high–performance organization that values Safety, Trust, Respect, Diversity, Humor, Productivity, Integrity, Partnership and Accountability.

Additional Information

How to Apply: In addition to fully completing the online application, please attach your resume and cover letter addressing the Desired Qualifications, and respond to all supplemental questions.

These are required to be considered for this position. Your cover letter should also include your general knowledge and experience related to the position.


Work Schedule: This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees are required to come into the office three times a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Salary: The full salary range for this position is $56.23 - $65.54 per hour.

Benefits: 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: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.

This position is open to all qualified 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.


If you have any questions, please contact Charles Gilmore at charles.gilmore2@seattle.gov


Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page https://www.seattle.gov/utilities.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/11/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-seattle-5247734