Public Engagement Lead (Senior Planning & Development Specialist- Bargaining Unit)

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Seattle’s Seattle Department of Transportation seeks a Public Engagement Lead to guide engagement for high‑profile transportation projects. You will shape how communities understand, participate in, and influence multimodal corridor redesigns and major bridge work.

You report to the Public Engagement Supervisor and collaborate with planners, engineers, and partners. Successful candidates will build relationships with diverse communities, plan inclusive meetings, and ensure equity in

Qualifications

• Three years of planning and research related to land use, urban economics, or related city planning activities.
• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders to facilitate inclusive engagement.
• Ability to develop and communicate engagement strategies and manage public processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead public engagement and stakeholder coordination for transportation projects and public processes.
• Plan and facilitate complex public meetings, workshops, hearings, and online engagements.
• Develop and implement Public Involvement Plans and construction communications plans.
• Coordinate with consultants, partner agencies, and project teams to deliver results.

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning and related field

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 Communication & Equity office is hiring a Public Engagement Lead (under the City's classification title of Senior Planning & Development Specialist- Bargaining Unit). You'll lead public engagement and communications for some of Seattle's most complex and visible transportation projects. You'll help residents, businesses and community organizations understand and shape the projects that touch their daily lives, from multimodal corridor redesigns to major bridge work. You'll report to the Public Engagement Supervisor.

• Lead public engagement and stakeholder coordination for transportation capital projects, programs and public processes within an assigned geographic sector or program area.
• Plan, facilitate and lead complex public meetings, workshops, hearings, open houses, construction mitigation meetings, and online engagement activities.

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans, Public Involvement Plans (PIPs), outreach strategies, and construction communications plans across all project phases.
• Serve as the lead communications and outreach strategist for complex projects, exercising independent judgment on messaging, sequencing and issue escalation.
• Coordinate consultant-supported engagement work, including scopes of work, schedules, deliverables, invoices, facilitation, translation, and interpretation services.
• Review consultant work products, monitor budgets and progress and ensure work aligns with project goals, department expectations and RSJI (Race & Social Justice Initiative) principles.
• Coordinate public process activities across matrixed project teams and with planners, engineers, utility providers, transit agencies, freight representatives, contractors and partner agencies.
• Champion our goals around diversity, equity and social justice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires three (3) 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 activities;
• A baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field.

OR: A combination of education and/or experience and/or training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

Successful candidates will possess many of these additional qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Develop and communicate engagement and communications strategies with staff, stakeholders and community members.
• Build relationships with diverse community members and adapt outreach to reduce barriers to participation.
• Facilitate difficult or controversial public discussions with clarity and respect.
• Coordinate consultants, partner agencies and project teams to deliver results.
• Work effectively in a multicultural workplace that values and serves a diverse public.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Work is typically performed in an office environment with hybrid options.
• Requires working nights to attend meetings and hearings.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including background check.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

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 $56.23 - $65.54 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.

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.