Senior Planner

Full Job Description

The office

The Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD) ensures that City departments are aligned and coordinated in planning and advancing equitable development for Seattle’s future growth.

OPCD advances this work through long-range planning, land use policy development, community planning, and community development.

The work is guided by the newly adopted One Seattle Plan, which envisions a more affordable, inclusive, and resilient city over the next 20 years.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

The fields of urban planning and community development have often failed to reflect the experiences and identities of people affected by development decisions and outcomes, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, Refugees, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.

We strongly encourage people with these identities or from other marginalized communities to apply.

The job

Do you want a chance to create a real and lasting impact on Seattle? Our Long-Range Planning Division is recruiting for a Senior Planner with broad generalist capabilities and strengths in the following areas:

• Project management
• Listening and communicating clearly with all audiences
• Collaborating with BIPOC communities

You will play a key role in projects like:

• Comprehensive Plan policy development and implementation
• Planning for climate mitigation and resilience
• Transportation/Land Use policy and code development

Specifically, in the short term, major projects include:

Climate and transportation planning: HB1181 implementation, including transportation requirements, FEMA grant to produce climate hazard mitigation plan, interdepartmental collaboration for the Climate Action Plan update

Comprehensive plan: Annual amendments in 2026 and 2027 to address Council requests and other city priorities

State requirements: Support planning for transit-oriented development (HB 1491), HB 1220 (housing affordability requirements), and 5-year reporting and policy review required by state GMA

Requirements

To be successful, you are committed to:

• Public service, and being a part of a team at the forefront of innovation for equitable and sustainable development
• Working cross-culturally to convene partners and elevate the needs and priorities of community members
• Listening and communicating complex information clearly using graphic and verbal tools - one-on-one, with groups, and making presentations

To be effective, you have:

• An understanding of anti-racist and equity-based work in the context of urban planning, advancing anti-displacement goals, community capacity-building projects, community development, or investment of public funds to address and improve community outcomes.
• Familiarity with the dynamics of the built environment by applying the principles of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, or real estate development.
• Policy analysis skills for urban planning, including analysis of existing urban conditions, facilitating a community-based vision and/or goals, alternatives formulation, and selection of a preferred alternative or plan.
• Developed, nurtured, and facilitated effective partnerships and relationships with diverse communities, landowners, organizations, service providers, and others.
• Experience working in government or with elected officials in the development of policies, plans, or regulations.
• Knowledge and understanding of Washington State land use regulations, GMA, and SEPA
• Managed grants or contracts, working with external and internal partners to ensure success
• Experience performing quantitative and/or geographic analysis of data using software for data management, spreadsheets, GIS, etc.

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have lived experience and/or a professional career that demonstrates a commitment to building collaborative, productive, and respectful partnerships among community members, public institutions, and various organizations.

This career orientation should be complemented by proven technical knowledge and expertise in:

• Anti-racist, equity-based approach to planning and the built environment
• Community-based planning and policy analysis, and research
• Community engagement with BIPOC communities
• Project management
• Land use, zoning, and growth management
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Working in complex political environments
• Compelling and engaging communication - writing, and presentation skills

Additional Information

This job is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, General Government. The full pay range for this position is $51.88-77.82. For office pay equity reasons, our target salary for this position is $67.34/hour.

Why Work for the City of Seattle?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city.

With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all.

Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together.

Join us in building a Seattle that thrives!

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management. You may be asked to attend meetings and events that occur on weekday evenings and weekends.

We offer 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 our website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

In addition to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in this job and how your skills could support Seattle’s Long Range Planning team
• A PDF of your current resume

This position is open to applicants who meet the 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 City 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:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov with questions or to request accommodations.