Seattle Department of Transportation
Associate Urban Designer
Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Overview
Join us for the Associate Urban Designer role at Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). SDOT shapes Seattle’s streets by connecting communities, building safer streets, and advancing a more sustainable city. We are tackling big challenges to make travel safer, cut carbon emissions, and ensure reliable, affordable transportation for everyone. With a historic voter-approved investment in transportation, we are building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep Seattle moving. We are a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews, and we are looking for passionate, innovative talent to join us in building a Seattle that works for everyone—together. Position Overview SDOT is excited to announce a new Associate Urban Designer position within the Policy and Planning division. This role supports SDOT’s mission to provide safe, affordable, and reliable transportation by integrating urban design, public art, and transportation planning to improve streets for everyone—whether walking, rolling, biking, taking transit, or driving. The position serves as the 1% for the Arts Coordinator for SDOT, closely partnering with the City’s Office of Arts and Culture. It plays a key role in delivering Complete Streets projects that prioritize safety for all users, especially in underserved neighborhoods, and uses data such as crash history and equity indicators to guide decisions. The role also supports public space improvements like shared streets, plazas, sidewalks, street furniture, wayfinding, and lighting, and ensures diverse community voices are heard through public outreach and engagement. By centering safety and equity in project planning and design, this position helps build a more inclusive and accessible transportation system and public spaces for Seattle residents. The ideal candidate will have urban design and transportation planning skills and recognize the importance of physical, social, environmental, and economic well-being in the public realm when implemented equitably. Under the supervision of an SDOT Urban Design Strategic Advisor, the Associate Urban Designer will conduct data analyses, design, coordination, and community engagement activities to support SDOT’s mission and goals in the Urban Design Section of the Policy & Planning Division. The selected candidate will allocate time as follows: 50% for program planning and project design and development, 30% for project review, and 20% for community engagement activities. Responsibilities
Coordinate with the Office of Arts and Culture on 1% for Art Ordinance implementation to integrate public art into Capital Improvement Projects. Support Seamless Seattle Pedestrian Wayfinding Program expansion and maintenance, including day-to-day project implementation and updating existing wayfinding signs. Ideate, plan, design, develop (0%-30%), and deliver public realm and transportation improvement projects (pedestrian infrastructure such as street trees, lighting, wayfinding, seating) to improve safety and welcoming environments; define scope, estimate costs, set timelines, and manage budgets. Staff the SDOT Complete Streets Steering Committee as part of the City’s Complete Streets ordinance implementation. Collaborate with capital project design teams to address SDOT Complete Streets policy requirements in line with city ordinances. Support development of design standards and guidance for Streets Illustrated (Right-of-Way Improvements Manual) based on research, public feedback, and city goals. Review and provide feedback on project and permit plans to ensure alignment with Streets Illustrated design standards and accessibility for all users. Work with other city departments and regional partners to advance public realm and transportation projects and solve design challenges. Represent SDOT in meetings and committees, contributing input on street design and public art to better serve the community. Conduct transportation planning and urban design research using data (public life data, traffic/pedestrian counts, safety stats, equity information) to shape policy, plans, projects, priorities, and street design decisions. Organize small area transportation and public realm planning efforts, prepare graphics, and compile reports on transportation improvement recommendations. Create street concept plans, conduct related research, analyze data, engage in outreach, and document findings. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and resolve conflicts related to transportation planning and urban design initiatives. Support departmental goals in promoting diversity and social justice. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, or a related field. Experience: A minimum of two years of transportation planning or development experience. OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background to perform the work. Additional qualifications
(not required but preferred): Graduate degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning and Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field. Experience in public art planning, development, or delivery for private or public sector projects. Advanced understanding of pedestrian wayfinding systems and implementation/maintenance experience. Knowledge of urban planning and design principles with graphic skills to support concept development. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Bluebeam, SketchUp, ARCGIS, or comparable tools. Excellent analytical, writing, graphic, and oral communication skills, with diplomacy in sensitive matters. Experience with community outreach and engaging diverse constituencies, and delivering public presentations to varied audiences. Ability to manage multiple assignments under pressure and meet milestones; work effectively in a multicultural workplace. Other Requirements
Hybrid work environment: a minimum of 3 days in a City office and 2 days remote per week. Work may involve fieldwork in offices and during construction, exposure to weather, traffic, and construction hazards. May be required to lift over 50 pounds and stand, walk, or bend for extended periods. Licenses
Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Required items include: online application, supplemental questionnaire responses, a cover letter describing alignment with responsibilities and qualifications, and a current résumé. A job offer is contingent upon credential verification and may include background checks and medical examinations. Additional Information
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holidays, and sick leave, and medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Benefits details are available on the City’s website. The full salary range is $52.13 - $60.71 per hour. EEO Statement: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided upon request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
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Join us for the Associate Urban Designer role at Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). SDOT shapes Seattle’s streets by connecting communities, building safer streets, and advancing a more sustainable city. We are tackling big challenges to make travel safer, cut carbon emissions, and ensure reliable, affordable transportation for everyone. With a historic voter-approved investment in transportation, we are building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep Seattle moving. We are a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews, and we are looking for passionate, innovative talent to join us in building a Seattle that works for everyone—together. Position Overview SDOT is excited to announce a new Associate Urban Designer position within the Policy and Planning division. This role supports SDOT’s mission to provide safe, affordable, and reliable transportation by integrating urban design, public art, and transportation planning to improve streets for everyone—whether walking, rolling, biking, taking transit, or driving. The position serves as the 1% for the Arts Coordinator for SDOT, closely partnering with the City’s Office of Arts and Culture. It plays a key role in delivering Complete Streets projects that prioritize safety for all users, especially in underserved neighborhoods, and uses data such as crash history and equity indicators to guide decisions. The role also supports public space improvements like shared streets, plazas, sidewalks, street furniture, wayfinding, and lighting, and ensures diverse community voices are heard through public outreach and engagement. By centering safety and equity in project planning and design, this position helps build a more inclusive and accessible transportation system and public spaces for Seattle residents. The ideal candidate will have urban design and transportation planning skills and recognize the importance of physical, social, environmental, and economic well-being in the public realm when implemented equitably. Under the supervision of an SDOT Urban Design Strategic Advisor, the Associate Urban Designer will conduct data analyses, design, coordination, and community engagement activities to support SDOT’s mission and goals in the Urban Design Section of the Policy & Planning Division. The selected candidate will allocate time as follows: 50% for program planning and project design and development, 30% for project review, and 20% for community engagement activities. Responsibilities
Coordinate with the Office of Arts and Culture on 1% for Art Ordinance implementation to integrate public art into Capital Improvement Projects. Support Seamless Seattle Pedestrian Wayfinding Program expansion and maintenance, including day-to-day project implementation and updating existing wayfinding signs. Ideate, plan, design, develop (0%-30%), and deliver public realm and transportation improvement projects (pedestrian infrastructure such as street trees, lighting, wayfinding, seating) to improve safety and welcoming environments; define scope, estimate costs, set timelines, and manage budgets. Staff the SDOT Complete Streets Steering Committee as part of the City’s Complete Streets ordinance implementation. Collaborate with capital project design teams to address SDOT Complete Streets policy requirements in line with city ordinances. Support development of design standards and guidance for Streets Illustrated (Right-of-Way Improvements Manual) based on research, public feedback, and city goals. Review and provide feedback on project and permit plans to ensure alignment with Streets Illustrated design standards and accessibility for all users. Work with other city departments and regional partners to advance public realm and transportation projects and solve design challenges. Represent SDOT in meetings and committees, contributing input on street design and public art to better serve the community. Conduct transportation planning and urban design research using data (public life data, traffic/pedestrian counts, safety stats, equity information) to shape policy, plans, projects, priorities, and street design decisions. Organize small area transportation and public realm planning efforts, prepare graphics, and compile reports on transportation improvement recommendations. Create street concept plans, conduct related research, analyze data, engage in outreach, and document findings. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and resolve conflicts related to transportation planning and urban design initiatives. Support departmental goals in promoting diversity and social justice. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, or a related field. Experience: A minimum of two years of transportation planning or development experience. OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background to perform the work. Additional qualifications
(not required but preferred): Graduate degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning and Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or a related field. Experience in public art planning, development, or delivery for private or public sector projects. Advanced understanding of pedestrian wayfinding systems and implementation/maintenance experience. Knowledge of urban planning and design principles with graphic skills to support concept development. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Bluebeam, SketchUp, ARCGIS, or comparable tools. Excellent analytical, writing, graphic, and oral communication skills, with diplomacy in sensitive matters. Experience with community outreach and engaging diverse constituencies, and delivering public presentations to varied audiences. Ability to manage multiple assignments under pressure and meet milestones; work effectively in a multicultural workplace. Other Requirements
Hybrid work environment: a minimum of 3 days in a City office and 2 days remote per week. Work may involve fieldwork in offices and during construction, exposure to weather, traffic, and construction hazards. May be required to lift over 50 pounds and stand, walk, or bend for extended periods. Licenses
Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Required items include: online application, supplemental questionnaire responses, a cover letter describing alignment with responsibilities and qualifications, and a current résumé. A job offer is contingent upon credential verification and may include background checks and medical examinations. Additional Information
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holidays, and sick leave, and medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Benefits details are available on the City’s website. The full salary range is $52.13 - $60.71 per hour. EEO Statement: The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided upon request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
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