Senior Public Engagement Strategist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Holiday leave

Sick leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is seeking a Public Engagement Lead to guide public involvement across major transportation projects. You will shape messaging, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and develop plans that reflect Race & Social Justice initiatives.

The role reports to the Public Engagement Supervisor and emphasizes inclusive community participation. The position offers hybrid work with a flexible schedule, requiring some evenings for meetings and hearings.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other City planning activities.
• A bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Public engagement

Stakeholder coordination

Facilitation

Communication plans

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning

Job description

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is seeking a Public Engagement Lead to guide public involvement across major transportation projects. You will shape messaging, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and develop plans that reflect Race & Social Justice initiatives.

The role reports to the Public Engagement Supervisor and emphasizes inclusive community participation. The position offers hybrid work with a flexible schedule, requiring some evenings for meetings and hearings.