Planning Specialist

Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The City of Seattle invites applications for a Planning Specialist to support the Seattle Design Commission. This budged role through 2028 will extend with transit projects.

The ideal candidate blends planning with community engagement, and possesses strong oral, written, and visual communication skills to support evaluation and permitting of Sound Transit plans for light rail. The successful applicant will confirm site, landscape, and elevations data and craft culturally responsive engagement

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work.
• OR two years of experience + associate's degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field
• OR one year of experience + a bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field

Responsibilities

• Support evaluation and permitting of Sound Transit plans for new light rail stations.
• Confirm information such as site plans, landscape plans, and building elevations for public places.
• Develop and implement authentic culturally responsive community engagement plans.
• Create and share planning-related summaries for diverse audiences in multiple formats.

Skills

Planning

Community engagement

Public transit

Site plans

Landscape plans

Building elevations

Graphic communication

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Presentation skills

Education

Three years planning experience OR two years + associate degree in related field

One year planning experience + bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Position Description

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 contributes to this work through long-range planning, land use policy development, community planning, and community development. The work is guided by Seattle’s newly adopted Comprehensive 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 Seattle Design Commission

The Seattle Design Commission is an independent body that promotes civic design excellence in capital improvement projects located on City land, in the City right-of-way, or constructed with City funds. The Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on the design of capital improvements and policies that shape Seattle's public realm.

Job Responsibilities

The Job

We are recruiting a Planning Specialist to join the team that supports the Seattle Design Commission. This job is currently budgeted through 2028, and based on current transit projects, we expect that it will be extended.

We are looking for applicants who combine a planning background with community engagement expertise and strong oral, written, and visual communication skills. Your work will support the evaluation and permitting of Sound Transit plans for new light rail stations, and will include confirming information such as site plans, landscape plans, building elevations, and community engagement planning.

To Be Successful

• Public service, and being a part of a team at the forefront of innovation for equitable and sustainable development
• Working to promote civic design excellence
• Collaborating respectfully with internal and external partners
• Listening and communicating complex information clearly using graphic and verbal tools - one-on-one, with groups, and making presentations

To Be Effective

• Researched, evaluated, and analyzed site and landscape plans, as well as building elevations for public places and spaces
• Experience in public transit investments and their integration into neighborhoods
• Created and implemented authentic culturally responsive community engagement plans
• Created and shared planning-related summaries, highlighting key project elements with a variety of audiences, and using multiple formats
• Experience with permitting processes
• Expertise with MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Managed a website, including design and content creation

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education, training, or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform this job):

Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work

OR

Two years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work, and an associate's degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or a related field

OR

One year of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field

Additional Information

This job is classified as a Planning & Development Specialist 1 and is part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with PROTEC17 – Professional Unit. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $45.59 - $53.14 per hour. New employees start at Step 1. Current City employees’ starting pay rate will be based on the Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Work Location and Hours

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.

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

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.

This position is open to all applicants 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 City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities will be provided with 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 [e-mail] for questions or to request accommodations.