What are the responsibilities and job description for the SDOT Transportation & Fieldwork Intern position at City of Seattle?
Position 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 Transportation and Fieldwork intern posting covers two roles that bring candidates out of the office and into Seattle’s streets, neighborhoods, and business districts. Whether you’re assessing bike infrastructure, analyzing parking data, or coordinating with maintenance crews, these positions offer hands-on experience in how transportation systems are planned, improved, and maintained on the ground. Both roles combine field work with technical analysis and are well suited for candidates who want to develop practical skills in GIS, data analysis, and urban mobility.
By applying to this job posting, you are applying for these opportunities:
Opportunity 1: Bike Team Intern (Graduate)
SDOT’s Bike Team works to make biking and scooter-share safer, more accessible, and better connected across Seattle. This intern will contribute across three areas of work: designing and implementing bike and scooter-share parking facilities in the field, supporting project development up to the 30% design milestone alongside planners and engineers, and conducting data analysis and mapping to update Seattle’s bicycle network information and evaluate transportation conditions. This role is ideal for candidates with GIS proficiency, an interest in active transportation planning, and a willingness to do hands-on field work throughout the city.
Key Responsibilities:
SDOT’s Community Access and Parking Program (CAPP) works in neighborhood business districts to improve on-street parking management through improvements such as paid parking, updated time limits, and loading enhancements. The CAPP intern will support the Curbside Management team through data analysis, fieldwork, report development, and community outreach assistance. This role is a strong fit for students interested in urban transportation policy, curbside management, and the intersection of data analysis and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
Educational Benefits:
Qualifications
Education:
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited 2-year or 4-year educational program.
Preferred Areas of Study:
Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field with interest in active transportation, curbside management, or urban mobility.
Minimum Qualifications:
Internship dates:
Start/End Dates: June 2026 to June 2027
Schedule:
Intern will work up to 20 hours/week while school is in session, up to 40 hours/week during school breaks. Work hours can be scheduled between 8am and 5pm Monday - Friday. May work weekends, may work evenings.
Salary:
Undergraduate students will be paid $22.56 - $22.56 per hour.
Graduate students will be paid $27.67 - $27.67 per hour.
Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Your application will not be reviewed if any of these items are missing or incomplete.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process.
Hybrid Work: Interns are expected to report to work onsite in Seattle consistent with departmental in-office minimums and as operational needs require for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Therefore, interns are expected to have a Washington State address and reside in Washington State at the start and for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle.
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 is provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
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 Transportation and Fieldwork intern posting covers two roles that bring candidates out of the office and into Seattle’s streets, neighborhoods, and business districts. Whether you’re assessing bike infrastructure, analyzing parking data, or coordinating with maintenance crews, these positions offer hands-on experience in how transportation systems are planned, improved, and maintained on the ground. Both roles combine field work with technical analysis and are well suited for candidates who want to develop practical skills in GIS, data analysis, and urban mobility.
By applying to this job posting, you are applying for these opportunities:
Opportunity 1: Bike Team Intern (Graduate)
SDOT’s Bike Team works to make biking and scooter-share safer, more accessible, and better connected across Seattle. This intern will contribute across three areas of work: designing and implementing bike and scooter-share parking facilities in the field, supporting project development up to the 30% design milestone alongside planners and engineers, and conducting data analysis and mapping to update Seattle’s bicycle network information and evaluate transportation conditions. This role is ideal for candidates with GIS proficiency, an interest in active transportation planning, and a willingness to do hands-on field work throughout the city.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess bike and scooter-share parking locations in the field, complete spray paint layout, and submit work orders to request rack installation by SDOT crews.
- Support project development through the 30% design phase, assist with annual trail inspections, and contribute to Complete Streets reviews and public outreach events.
- Update Seattle’s bicycle map with newly built projects and analyze collision and speed data using ArcGIS Pro to produce maps for planning, public use, and project evaluation.
- Work with community requests, existing plans, collision histories, and field data to develop project recommendations and support program planning.
SDOT’s Community Access and Parking Program (CAPP) works in neighborhood business districts to improve on-street parking management through improvements such as paid parking, updated time limits, and loading enhancements. The CAPP intern will support the Curbside Management team through data analysis, fieldwork, report development, and community outreach assistance. This role is a strong fit for students interested in urban transportation policy, curbside management, and the intersection of data analysis and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Review parking occupancy and utilization data, summarize findings, and develop charts, graphs, and reports to communicate results.
- Conduct fieldwork to verify existing curbspace inventory and inform potential curbspace improvements in neighborhood business districts.
- Support community outreach efforts related to neighborhood parking plans.
- Assist with the development and updates of graphics, website content, and printed documents as needed.
Educational Benefits:
- Develop hands-on field skills in infrastructure assessment, parking analysis, and active transportation facility design within a major municipal agency.
- Build technical proficiency in GIS mapping, data analysis, and graphic design through real-world project assignments.
- Gain exposure to how active transportation, curbside management, and urban mobility planning intersect in project delivery and policy implementation.
- Receive mentorship from experienced SDOT planners and program managers working at the leading edge of bike infrastructure and curbside mobility.
- Engage in meaningful and educational opportunities that align seamlessly with your academic program, enhancing both your knowledge and skills.
- Contribute to your community while building a rewarding and impactful career by working with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
- Develop valuable networking connections with experienced professional staff, fostering relationships that can support your future career growth.
- Take advantage of City-sponsored training sessions and professional development modules to expand your expertise and competencies.
- Experience a diverse range of responsibilities and projects that contribute to making Seattle an exceptional place to live, work, and thrive.
- Conduct field work including trail inspections, bike and scooter-share parking facility assessments, curb-space condition documentation, and pre/post project photography. (35%)
- Assist in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data on bike network conditions, parking utilization, and curb-space management to support planning and project development. (25%)
- Assist in producing maps, graphics, and reports using GIS and Adobe tools, including updates to Seattle’s bicycle map and collision/speed data visualizations. (20%)
- Assist in submitting work orders, coordinate with Street Maintenance teams, and assist with project design and layout for bike and scooter-share parking improvements. (10%)
- Support community outreach activities related to active transportation and curbside improvements, including events and stakeholder communications. (10%).
Qualifications
Education:
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited 2-year or 4-year educational program.
Preferred Areas of Study:
Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field with interest in active transportation, curbside management, or urban mobility.
Minimum Qualifications:
- All undergraduate majors, except engineering and accounting students, must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
- All graduate students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize and present data clearly.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Comfort performing field work in an outdoor urban environment in varying weather conditions.
- Strong attention to detail in data collection, field documentation, and mapping. Experience with ArcGIS or comparable GIS/mapping software.
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or graphic design tools.
- Interest in bicycle infrastructure, active transportation, curbside management, or parking policy.
- Experience with community outreach, customer service, or working with the public.
- Knowledge of or interest in transportation planning, urban policy, or capital project processes.
Internship dates:
Start/End Dates: June 2026 to June 2027
Schedule:
Intern will work up to 20 hours/week while school is in session, up to 40 hours/week during school breaks. Work hours can be scheduled between 8am and 5pm Monday - Friday. May work weekends, may work evenings.
Salary:
Undergraduate students will be paid $22.56 - $22.56 per hour.
Graduate students will be paid $27.67 - $27.67 per hour.
Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Your application will not be reviewed if any of these items are missing or incomplete.
- Completed NEOGOV online application.
- Cover letter.
- Resume.
- Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process.
Hybrid Work: Interns are expected to report to work onsite in Seattle consistent with departmental in-office minimums and as operational needs require for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Therefore, interns are expected to have a Washington State address and reside in Washington State at the start and for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle.
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 is provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
Salary : $23 - $28