Senior Community Planner (TPS4)

Full Job Description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence.

Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.

In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a Senior Community Planner (Transportation Planning Specialist 4) in Seattle, WA, to join the Management of Mobility (MoM) Division’s Healthy Environments for All Act (HEAL Act) team.

As the central transportation planning office for the Puget Sound region, the MoM Division shapes multimillion and even billion-dollar projects and programs.

This position will serve as one of the team’s community engagement specialists, responsible for leading and developing community and agency engagement for studies and projects, including coordinating land-use and transportation decisions, supporting regional planning efforts, and engaging with communities and partners to address current and future mobility needs.

The role will support the Principal Community & Environmental Justice Planner, who develops the biennial work program for the Northwest Region Community Engagement Program that outlines the priorities and goals for community engagement and environmental justice in WSDOT’s Northwest Region.

This position will support Snohomish and King County project offices, special studies, corridor development plans, and other department planning functions as assigned.

The position also supports the HEAL Act for all WSDOT’s Northwest Region which extends from King County to the Canadian Border.

The position contributes to the agency’s mission by helping improve safety, reliability, and economic vitality through thoughtful planning and policy development.

Additional responsibilities include developing work plans, leading community engagement and communication efforts, analyzing data, organizing and facilitating meetings with internal and external partners, and preparing reports to inform decision-making.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Community Planner will:

• Supports the HEAL Act for all WSDOT’s Northwest Region which extends from King County to the Canadian Border.
• Lead and develop community and agency engagement efforts for transportation studies and projects.
• Coordinate and implement community engagement plans and strategies to support multimodal planning and project delivery.
• Collect and analyze transportation, land use, socio-economic, environmental and other data necessary to support the lead for corridor plans, studies and analysis of select state highway corridors.

Plan, strategize, organize, prepare, coordinate, facilitate, and document engagement activities such as in-person meetings, public notices, media outreach, online open houses, surveys, and outreach materials, including flyers, fact sheets, and other support materials.

All activities are conducted in alignment with WSDOT procedures and the HEAL Act.

• Track and document Title VI and stakeholder feedback, including how input informs decisions and commitments to community partners.
• Coordinates with state and regional agencies, local jurisdictions and the public to improve multijurisdictional, multimodal transportation systems and engagement at the local, regional and state level.
• Collect and analyze transportation, land use, socio-economic, and environmental data; support planning studies, grant development, and project coordination activities.
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures related to community engagement.
• Support development of the Northwest Region’s biennial Community Engagement Program work plan, including priorities related to environmental justice.
• Coordinate with internal teams, agencies, local jurisdictions, and the public to improve multimodal transportation systems and identify short- and long-term solutions.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Advanced Transportation Planning & Analysis Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading or directing the application, selection, modification, or development of transportation planning methodologies, analytical tools, modeling approaches, or performance frameworks to support complex, multi-modal transportation decisions.
• Strategic Data Interpretation and Executive-Level Communication: Experience synthesizing complex technical, financial, environmental, or transportation system performance data and presenting decision-ready recommendations to executive leadership, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, or the public using written, visual, and verbal communication methods.
• Interdisciplinary and Interagency Leadership: Experience leading or serving as a senior technical specialist on multi-disciplinary or multi-agency teams delivering transportation system plans, corridor studies, program implementation strategies, or policy initiatives.
• Complex Transportation Problem Resolution: Experience identifying emerging or systemic transportation issues; evaluating technical, funding, policy, environmental, and operational factors; and developing implementable solutions influencing transportation system performance, investment strategies, or long-range planning outcomes.
• Regulatory & Technical Writing: Advanced skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate reports, letters, and environmental documentation for internal and external audiences. Experience translating complex regulatory or scientific information into accessible language.

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Advanced Transportation Planning and Program Leadership Experience: Extensive progressively responsible experience leading transportation planning, corridor planning, system planning, program implementation, or transportation-related policy development in complex organizational or multi-agency environments.
• Complex Stakeholder and Public Engagement Leadership: Experience designing and leading complex stakeholder, partner agency, Tribal, community, or public engagement strategies associated with transportation planning, project delivery, or policy initiatives.
• Multi-Jurisdictional and Regulatory Environment Experience: Experience working within or coordinating across local, regional, state, or federal transportation planning, funding, environmental, or regulatory processes.
• Program, Project, or Initiative Accountability: Experience holding primary responsibility for transportation planning studies, programs, or initiatives, including schedule, scope, risk, and outcome accountability.
• Strategic Decision Support Experience: Experience developing recommendations influencing transportation investment strategies, policy direction, system performance priorities, or long-range planning outcomes.
• Emerging Practice or Specialized Planning Experience: Experience applying emerging transportation planning practices such as multimodal system planning, performance-based planning, equity-focused planning, climate or resilience planning, or transportation technology integration.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.

In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.

For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.

• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

For more information, please visit www.uscis.govContact UsFor inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at yasmin.munoz@wsdot.wa.gov.

Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-05567 in the subject line.