Supervising Transportation Planner
King County, WA
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Road Services Division within King County’s Department of Local Services seeks a highly organized Supervising Transportation Planner (Transportation Planner IV) to lead the planning team and set strategic direction for multimodal transportation planning in unincorporated King County. You will guide technical plans, reports, and studies supporting capital programs and operations.
The role requires coordinating with engineers, environmental scientists, budget teams, and external partners to
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in transportation planning, urban or rural planning, civil engineering or related field and minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience with transportation planning.
- Advanced knowledge of transportation planning principles.
- Experience supervising staff, evaluating staff performance, managing conflict, and leading with purpose and vision.
- Expert research and data analysis skills; exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and quantitative reasoning skills.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and lead high-profile transportation and strategic planning efforts, such as updates to the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan, the Transportation Needs Report, the division strategic plan, the transportation element of subarea plans, and the ADA Transition Plan.
- Oversee and conduct research and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, such as asset condition data, socioeconomic data, transportation patterns, natural systems and hazards, geospatial (GIS) data, traffic data, and financial data.
- Analyze transportation needs at a range of scales (e.g., intersection, neighborhood, countywide) and contexts (e.g., rural, suburban, urban).
- Identify and prioritize maintenance, operational, capital project, and process‑improvement needs and solutions.
- Develop, interpret, analyze, and write policy, legislation, and code.
- Directly supervise three planners.
- Lead project teams comprised of consultants and internal subject matter experts from a wide variety of disciplines; manage project scope, schedule, and budget.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Road Services Division (Road Services) of the King County Department of Local Services is currently seeking a highly organized, team-oriented, results-driven Supervising Transportation Planner (Transportation Planner IV) to join our dynamic team. Road Services manages transportation infrastructure throughout unincorporated King County, including 1,466 miles of roads, 275 miles of sidewalks, and 201 bridges. The Supervising Transportation Planner will oversee the division's transportation planning team, providing professional guidance and supervision. Responsibilities include setting strategic direction for multimodal transportation planning of or affecting unincorporated King County roads. You will help with the development and delivery of technical plans, reports, special projects, and studies that support the division's operations and capital improvement programs. The position will be located in Road Services’ Grants, Planning, and Strategy Unit. The unit works across the agency with engineers, environmental scientists, maintenance professionals, budget finance team members, and many other subject matter experts. Additionally, team members collaborate with partners from other King County agencies, regional authorities, and other governmental and non-governmental entities. You will be joining a team of problem solvers and analysts who enjoy collaborating with a diverse array of colleagues within and outside of King County government. If you are a highly motivated, energetic, and collaborative transportation planner with a passion for creative problem-solving and continuous improvement, we want to hear from you!
The Road Services Division of King County's Department of Local Services designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.
To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at: About the Road Services Division - King County, Washington
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.
- Oversee and lead high-profile transportation and strategic planning efforts, such as updates to the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan, the Transportation Needs Report, the division strategic plan, the transportation element of subarea plans, and the ADA Transition Plan.
- Oversee and conduct research and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, such as asset condition data, socioeconomic data, transportation patterns, natural systems and hazards, geospatial (GIS) data, traffic data, and financial data.
- Analyze transportation needs at a range of scales (e.g., intersection, neighborhood, countywide) and contexts (e.g., rural, suburban, urban).
- Identify and prioritize maintenance, operational, capital project, and process‑improvement needs and solutions.
- Develop, interpret, analyze, and write policy, legislation, and code.
- Directly supervise three planners.
- Lead project teams comprised of consultants and internal subject matter experts from a wide variety of disciplines; manage project scope, schedule, and budget.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on transportation planning and policy, contemporary multimodal planning practices, and community engagement.
- Provide cross-disciplinary analysis that incorporates safety, political, strategic, fiscal, environmental, mobility, equity, legal, and land‑use considerations.
- Synthesize highly technical information to clearly and accurately communicate with decision-makers and the public in both written and spoken contexts.
- Produce and contribute to reports, proviso responses, grant applications, budget proposals, and responses to complex questions from political leaders and the public.
- Represent the division on interdepartmental teams, external workgroups, and committees.
- Develop and implement performance measurement strategies and reporting.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in transportation planning, urban or rural planning, civil engineering or related field AND minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience with transportation planning OR any combination of education, skills, training and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this position.
- Advanced knowledge of transportation planning principles.
- Experience supervising staff, evaluating staff performance, managing conflict, and leading with purpose and vision.
- Expert research and data analysis skills; exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and quantitative reasoning skills.
- Experience with performance management frameworks including the selection of meaningful metrics.
- Project management experience that includes managing multiple complex projects, developing scopes, schedules, and budgets.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas, present information to diverse audiences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines where goals and interests may conflict.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Proficient using a variety of technologies, including Microsoft Office 365 Suite products, SharePoint and Teams.
- Superior attention to detail with strong follow-through.
- Working knowledge of transportation planning across multiple disciplines, including multimodal and climate planning; road infrastructure and asset management; project delivery and planning-level cost estimating; and policy and regulatory frameworks such as the Washington State Growth Management Act.
- Working knowledge of GIS (or similar tools) to perform simple geospatial analyses and map production.
- Experience editing legislation, reports, and other various communications.
- Experience preparing visual management boards using simple and concise visual approaches; experience developing and maintaining reports and dashboards.
- Skilled and comfortable using a variety of technology to gather data and conduct technical analysis, including SharePoint, PowerBI, Airtable, and other internet‑based data sharing and project management tools.
- Experience using LEAN principles and continuous improvement methods to minimize waste and maximize value.
The first round of interviews for this position is scheduled to take place the week of December 7, 2026.
This position is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
This position has been designated as: Mission Critical in an Emergency, a designation that describes employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized.
Unless otherwise directed by the King County Executive, department director, or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.
PROTEC17
We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The primary onsite location is at King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
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- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
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- Required Question
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