Street Improvement Permit Inspections 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 is hiring a Street Improvement Permit (SIP) Inspections Lead (under the City's classification title of Senior Civil Engineering Specialist). The position will lead SIP inspectors and help manage SIP and Utility Major Permit (UMP) projects in the City, and elevate issues to the supervisor, as needed. The Lead will also conduct inspections and enforcement on permitted construction and temporary uses of the right-of-way (ROW) for compliance with Title 15 of the Seattle Municipal Code, City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications, the ROW Improvements Manual, and the ROW Opening and Restoration Rules (ROWORR). This position will report to the SIP Inspection Supervisor.

Requirements

• Help team inspectors interpret plans and enforce compliance of codes and ordinances through in-person inspection visits and the issuance (if necessary) of Warnings, Citations, and Stop Work Orders.
• Meet the SIP inspectors in the field to help resolve issues with the most complex and technical civil engineered plans and construction related activities. Contact subject matter experts and the SDOT project manager (PM) as needed.
• Help team inspectors gather curb ramp measurements in the Curb Ramp Inspections Application (CRIA) system and follow up with the permittee regarding Construction Maximum Extent Feasible (CMEF) form requirements or rebuild the ramps if the CMEF will not be approved by the ADA group.
• Enforce erosion/sediment control that impacts the City ROW though Best Management Practices.
• Maintain the highest level of customer service through such actions as reviewing complaints, responding promptly to email/letters, interacting with other departments and employees, and undertaking special site visits on request.
• Check the status of SIP and UMP permits that are open in Accela (our permitting and inspections system), determine if we need to claim the project’s bond, and track the status of bond claims.
• Cover inspections when the assigned SIP inspector is out.
• Support department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires four (4) years of Civil Engineering experience and an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two 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 will possess many of these additional qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Ability to read, interpret, and articulate civil engineered plans, applicable codes, ordinances, specifications, and other applicable rules and regulations.
• Knowledgeable of ADA curb ramp designs, City Standards and Specifications as well as the ROW Opening and Restoration Rules (ROWORR).
• Experience in construction inspection and the use of various construction and inspection tools/equipment (e.g. level, measuring wheel, and soil probe, ETC.)
• Experience in engineering plan review, permit issuance, and/or public works maintenance and/or inspection.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate, and facilitate issues/concerns in various environments with internal and external customers.
• Proficient with a variety of electronic devices and software such as Bluebeam and Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint.
• Experience and/or proficiency with Accela permitting database.
• 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 and outdoor environments.
• 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 $62.79 - $70.35 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.