What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Transportation Planner position at City of Seattle?
Position Description
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, creating welcoming public spaces , 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, bike lanes, plazas, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving safely.
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!
SDOT’s Project Development Division (PDD) is excited to announce a new Senior Transportation Planner opportunity. This position will work within the SDOT Freight Program to keep goods and services moving by supporting a vibrant economy and safer travel for everyone. We work closely with partners at the Port of Seattle, the railroads, and industrial area businesses to advance these shared goals. Our work enhances travel safety, completes maintenance and operational tasks, and informs freight and rail-related policy for SDOT. As the single modal program for the Freight mode, we encompass a wide variety of projects and interact with people moving and receiving goods in dynamic workspaces from professional offices to industrial sites. The ideal candidate will have experience with broad transportation planning experience and who can work on a variety of projects. The candidate will be well organized, proactive, and detail-oriented with a strong background in transportation planning. This position will develop the Freight Program and implement the Seattle Transportation Plan Freight Element. This position will expand SDOT’s Freight Program through the completion of the Seattle Transportation Levy. Interested in joining SDOT and developing a new program? We encourage you to apply today! This position reports to the Freight Program Lead (Senior Civil Engineer).
Develop, document, and track responsive projects and develop projects or programs as required to support existing and new agreements between public agencies, such as developing the new Rail Program or new truck-compatible traffic calming designs.
Lead or participate in technically complex, difficult, and sensitive interdisciplinary transportation planning studies that have a land use component.
Coordinate with legislative and executive staff in government and private industry, as well as coordinate work with consultants in a dynamic environment.
Act as liaison to the Seattle Freight Advisory Board, including setting agendas, developing project and program presentations in conjunction with stakeholders and project managers whose work impacts the freight and goods movement network, maintaining Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) compliance, and with the SDOT Board and Committees Coordinator and other modal board liaisons.
Participate as a freight and goods movement Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Interdepartmental Teams (IDTs) such as the federally funded Holgate Rail Crossing Elimination Study and corridor studies along major truck streets, such as East Marginal Way, to determine infrastructure and road designs that best support all transportation modes.
Represent the Freight Program in external groups and agencies such as the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Freight Advisory Committee (FAC) and the University of Washington’s Urban Freight Lab.
Manage consultant projects to determine how to use Levy dollars efficiently to identify and pave streets that carry the heaviest truck traffic, such as for the Heavy Haul Network.
Make budgeting and work prioritization decisions.
Use professional judgment to lead decision-making processes in inter- and intra-departmental venues.
Participate in the C-40 Low Pollution Neighborhood and Urban Freight Working Group initiatives.
Track and report on Seattle Transportation Plan, Levy work, and Transportation Equity Framework deliverables.
Respond to inquiries from citizens and business representatives by explaining policies and/or investigating issues.
Serve as an interagency coordinator as a representative of the department.
Actively support the department’s goals for diversity and social justice, in line with the City’s Race and Social Justice initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field.
Experience: Requires a minimum of three years of transportation planning or development experience.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position's duties.
Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or can describe comparable experience:
Understanding of or experience with supply chain operations such as marine, maritime, delivery, distribution, import, export, or dispatching.
Understanding of or experience with organized labor as these groups relate to goods and services.
Understanding of or experience with railroad, maritime, or trucking as a goods movement mode.
Ability to lead discussions with diverse groups, including those that may have differing goals or viewpoints of transportation network priorities.
Experience working with elected officials and coordinating and working on matrixed and multi-disciplinary teams.
Ability to communicate complex issues with a broad range of audiences.
Graduate degree in relevant subject area.
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of the work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of the work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.
Work may include meeting parties in active manufacturing, maritime, and industrial settings typically found in Manufacturing and Industrial Centers (MICs).
Licenses:
Current Washington State driver's license, or alternative transportation.
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.
Hiring Process:
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:
Completed NEOGOV online application.
Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
Supplemental questionnaire responses.
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential 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 City’s full salary range for this position is $ 58.45 - $ 67.95 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.
http://www.seattle.gov/jobs
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APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
Job #2025-00557
If you are unable to apply on-line you may submit a paper application by the closing date to our office.
OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, WA 98104
Careers@seattle.gov
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates who 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.
Salary : $58 - $68
