What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permit Services Reviewer (Associate Civil Engineering Specialist) position at Seattle Department of Transportation?
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 Street Use division is hiring a Permit Services Reviewer (under the City's classification of Associate Civil Engineering Specialist). This is an opportunity to work with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle's environment and economic vitality. Street Use accomplishes these goals by managing activities and construction occurring in the rights of way through issuing permits, inspection, project coordination, public outreach, and plan review.
In this role, you will be responsible for technical review of various construction and utility permit applications and projects in the public right of way. This requires interacting with customers and their needs in preparing applications, understanding corrections needed and steps to move permit application to issuance. You will be part of a team that reviews and manages a high-volume queue of permit applications, and coordinates closely with different experts and stakeholders.
You will help ensure activities within, and impacts to, Seattle’s streets (and right-of-way) are permitted according to applicable regulations, prioritizing safety, mobility, asset protection and access. This position reports to a Permit Review Lead.
Job Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications:
Work Environment/Physical Demands
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 $51.74 - $60.23 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.
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 Permit Services Reviewer (under the City's classification of Associate Civil Engineering Specialist). This is an opportunity to work with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle's environment and economic vitality. Street Use accomplishes these goals by managing activities and construction occurring in the rights of way through issuing permits, inspection, project coordination, public outreach, and plan review.
In this role, you will be responsible for technical review of various construction and utility permit applications and projects in the public right of way. This requires interacting with customers and their needs in preparing applications, understanding corrections needed and steps to move permit application to issuance. You will be part of a team that reviews and manages a high-volume queue of permit applications, and coordinates closely with different experts and stakeholders.
You will help ensure activities within, and impacts to, Seattle’s streets (and right-of-way) are permitted according to applicable regulations, prioritizing safety, mobility, asset protection and access. This position reports to a Permit Review Lead.
Job Responsibilities
- Manage use of the public right-of-way, minimizing impacts to City residents, neighborhoods, and infrastructure.
- Review permit applications, ensuring compliance and issuing approvals as appropriate.
- Keep detailed documentation of decisions and communications.
- Respond timely to customer questions and concerns based on Street Use expectations;
- Coach applicants on the permitting process via Microsoft Teams meetings, WebEx phone, email, and in-person based on the team’s counter, coaching schedule or pre-application coaching meetings.
- Maintain shift coverage as scheduled for in person counter coverage as well as electronically based meetings. Provide backup coverage for shifts as scheduled.
- Attend and support in-person meetings, site visits, trainings, and customer coaching sessions.
- Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and the city.
- Host and facilitate construction project management related meetings including agenda development and follow-up meeting notes.
- Check document compliance against various agencies requirements.
- Provide technical support, including interpreting code.
- Validate fee calculations and oversee efforts to coordinate with other workgroups related to disputes and withdrawals of permits;
- Identify and coordinate with impacted stakeholders.
- Work closely with SDOT district inspectors to ensure customer issues are addressed and tracked.
- Adapt to changing codes and requirements, maintaining flexibility.
- Work collaboratively with other divisions and departments.
- Promote equity, diversity, and race and social justice at SDOT.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Requires two (2) years of Civil Engineering experience and an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) 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.
- Familiarity with technology including Microsoft products, email management, and electronic plans review.
- Understanding of construction means and methods.
- Experience in construction.
- An ability to understand and interpret code and policy.
- An ability to be an independent self-starter.
- An ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
- Most work is typically performed in a normal office environment with hybrid options at this time.
- 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.
- Overnight travel may be required.
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 $51.74 - $60.23 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.
Salary : $52 - $60
