Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01197

Department: Seattle Department of Transportation

Division: Transit & Mobility

Job classification: Transportation Planner, Senior

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Planning and Development, Transportation

Summary

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!

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has an exciting opportunity for a thoughtful, innovative planner to help reimagine how packages, goods, and services flow through our city every day. In our Transit & Mobility Division, we’re advancing smarter, more sustainable ways to manage curb space—making Seattle easier to navigate for businesses, delivery partners, and the public.

We’re seeking a Senior Transportation Planner to play a key leadership role in Stage Two of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grant. Our project, “Smart Curbs for Better Access: A Digital, Data-Driven Approach Across Cities,” is a partnership between Seattle and Minneapolis focused on using technology and real-time data to improve curb access and make deliveries more efficient. This work directly supports economic vitality and helps businesses thrive in a growing, dynamic city.

In this role, you will serve as the deputy project manager, working closely with the SMART Grant project manager to bring several high-impact initiatives to life. You will collaborate with local businesses, commercial delivery companies, and internal and external partners to test innovative tools and solutions—and see the results of your work make a difference on Seattle’s streets.

We’re looking for a proactive, creative Senior Transportation Planner who thrives in a collaborative environment, can move critical tasks forward with minimal supervision, and is energized by applying new ideas in the real world.

If you’re excited by data-driven planning, meaningful partnerships, and shaping systems the public interacts with every day, we’d love to hear from you.

Examples of duties

• Lead the procurement, contracting, and on-the-ground implementation of innovative curb sensor technologies—such as in-ground occupancy sensors or automated camera systems. This work requires thoughtful coordination, clear communication, and close collaboration with teams across SDOT and other City departments to successfully deliver within the three-year grant timeline.
• Guide the planning and rollout of up to five neighborhood urban freight curb plans. This includes coordinating, supervising, and offering strategic direction to multiple consultant teams contributing to outreach, data collection, research, and analysis. You will ensure all consultant work meets SDOT’s standards, stays on schedule, and remains within budget.
• Manage all SDOT reporting requirements for the SMART Grant in alignment with USDOT and City of Minneapolis expectations. Responsibilities include preparing quarterly project updates, budget requests, data plans, implementation reports, and other required documentation.
• Develop and advance data-driven policy recommendations for commercial vehicle load zones. This work involves close collaboration with curbside management staff, external business partners, data engineers, and other key stakeholders to turn insights into actionable, equitable policies.
• Collect, manage, and analyze commercial vehicle activity data to support policy development, leadership briefings, and operational decision-making.
• Represent SDOT in the Open Mobility Foundation’s Smart Curb Collaborative by attending monthly meetings, sharing updates on SMART Grant progress, offering technical expertise on data best practices, and collaborating with peer cities on emerging curb management solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, transportation planning, urban planning, or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience with transportation planning or transportation development in a large, complex urban system.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• At least three (3) years of experience managing grant-funded projects, with a strong track record of delivering complex work on time and within scope.
• Hands-on experience navigating federally funded grant reporting and implementation requirements.
• Ability to thrive in a multicultural workplace and provide excellent service to a diverse range of partners, community members, and customers.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and methods, especially those used in curbspace management, urban logistics, and goods movement.
• Experience leading community outreach and engagement efforts, including facilitating discussions with varied stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing complex transportation challenges and developing clear, practical, and innovative solutions.
• Experience using ArcGIS software for mapping, analysis, and visualization.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and move work forward with minimal oversight.

Other Requirements:

Work Environment:

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least three days each week spent in a City office and up to two days worked remotely within a standard 40-hour work week.

Supplemental information

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including professional work and education verifications.

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 City’s full salary range for this position is $60.55 - $70.40 hourly.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ryan Jones at Ryan.Jones@Seattle.gov.

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 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 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.