Seattle Department of Transportation
Program Development Supervisor (Strategic Advisor 2, Engineering & Plans Review)
Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Program Development Supervisor (Strategic Advisor 2, Engineering & Plans Review)
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. 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.
Position Overview The Street Use division regulates all types of activities in the public right‑of‑way (ROW), issuing and inspecting approximately 24,000 permits per year. The Program Development Supervisor, classified as Strategic Advisor 2, works within the Public Space Management (PSM) Program, charged with promoting and regulating a vibrant, safe, accessible, and attractive shared ROW. The supervisor oversees people streets, street vending, business enhancements, vibrant communities, shoreline street ends, and downtown activation. In the near term, this role will help prepare Seattle’s downtown public spaces for the FIFA Men’s World Cup and in the long term may expand to support SDOT’s People Streets and Public Spaces program. The position also assists Street Use broadly in managing the ROW to accommodate growth while protecting transportation and activation goals.
This role will develop policy recommendations, create, evaluate, and iterate programs, improve outreach and communications, and draft legislation to help PSM, Street Use, and SDOT reach the goals outlined in the Seattle Transportation Plan. The position reports to the Public Space Manager.
Job Responsibilities This position creates, implements, evaluates, and improves PSM and Street Use policy and program initiatives. It works with other SDOT divisions such as Policy and Planning and Transit and Mobility to enhance programs including Public Art, People Streets, Public Space, and Mobility Hubs. The scope of duties is significant and aligns with direction from city leadership.
The position develops and manages sometimes contentious programs and negotiates projects and policy with stakeholders including elected officials, governmental agencies, consultants, private landowners, businesses, community groups, and internal staff.
Position Responsibilities
Manages a small team of planners, designers, and interns, delivering results while fostering a healthy work environment that supports professional growth.
Works directly with customers and community groups to ensure customer service and program goals are achieved.
Provides strategic direction and advice directly to elected officials, SDOT management, other city departments, and community and business stakeholders on policy and programmatic decisions.
Creates and performs program promotion and outreach, including community partnerships for public space activation.
Manages the program budget, monitors progress, and prepares annual reports for various initiatives.
Researches and interprets state laws, the Seattle Municipal Code, city ordinances, the Right‑of‑Way Improvements Manual, and the City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications for permit issuance.
Prepares and presents legislation to the Mayor’s Office and City Council.
Negotiates and prepares Memoranda of Agreements and contracts with other departments, agencies, and NGOs.
Supports department and city goals in promoting diversity and social justice.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience in transportation or a related field.
Experience in program oversight or program management.
OR:
A combination of education, training, and experience that provides an equivalent background to perform the work.
Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Preferred Additional Qualifications:
Three (3)+ years of experience in transportation or a related field.
Two (2)+ years of experience in program oversight or program management with supervisory duties.
Proven experience implementing policy and program initiatives, including preparing legislation.
Meeting management skills, including the ability to mediate and facilitate issues to resolution.
Ability to read, interpret, and articulate applicable ordinances, municipal codes, plans, and specifications and street improvement manuals.
Effective oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
Experience in customer service and community outreach.
Effectively works in a multi‑cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Most work is performed in a normal city work/office environment with hybrid options at this time.
Occasional off‑site meetings and site visits may be required.
May require overnight travel, and working nights and weekends to attend public meetings and community events.
Application Requirements Please attach both a cover letter and resume to your application. Failure to do so will result in your application not being considered.
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a background check.
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.
Full salary range:
$54.60 – $81.93 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 can be found on the City’s website.
EEO Statement 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 upon request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
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Position Overview The Street Use division regulates all types of activities in the public right‑of‑way (ROW), issuing and inspecting approximately 24,000 permits per year. The Program Development Supervisor, classified as Strategic Advisor 2, works within the Public Space Management (PSM) Program, charged with promoting and regulating a vibrant, safe, accessible, and attractive shared ROW. The supervisor oversees people streets, street vending, business enhancements, vibrant communities, shoreline street ends, and downtown activation. In the near term, this role will help prepare Seattle’s downtown public spaces for the FIFA Men’s World Cup and in the long term may expand to support SDOT’s People Streets and Public Spaces program. The position also assists Street Use broadly in managing the ROW to accommodate growth while protecting transportation and activation goals.
This role will develop policy recommendations, create, evaluate, and iterate programs, improve outreach and communications, and draft legislation to help PSM, Street Use, and SDOT reach the goals outlined in the Seattle Transportation Plan. The position reports to the Public Space Manager.
Job Responsibilities This position creates, implements, evaluates, and improves PSM and Street Use policy and program initiatives. It works with other SDOT divisions such as Policy and Planning and Transit and Mobility to enhance programs including Public Art, People Streets, Public Space, and Mobility Hubs. The scope of duties is significant and aligns with direction from city leadership.
The position develops and manages sometimes contentious programs and negotiates projects and policy with stakeholders including elected officials, governmental agencies, consultants, private landowners, businesses, community groups, and internal staff.
Position Responsibilities
Manages a small team of planners, designers, and interns, delivering results while fostering a healthy work environment that supports professional growth.
Works directly with customers and community groups to ensure customer service and program goals are achieved.
Provides strategic direction and advice directly to elected officials, SDOT management, other city departments, and community and business stakeholders on policy and programmatic decisions.
Creates and performs program promotion and outreach, including community partnerships for public space activation.
Manages the program budget, monitors progress, and prepares annual reports for various initiatives.
Researches and interprets state laws, the Seattle Municipal Code, city ordinances, the Right‑of‑Way Improvements Manual, and the City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications for permit issuance.
Prepares and presents legislation to the Mayor’s Office and City Council.
Negotiates and prepares Memoranda of Agreements and contracts with other departments, agencies, and NGOs.
Supports department and city goals in promoting diversity and social justice.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience in transportation or a related field.
Experience in program oversight or program management.
OR:
A combination of education, training, and experience that provides an equivalent background to perform the work.
Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Preferred Additional Qualifications:
Three (3)+ years of experience in transportation or a related field.
Two (2)+ years of experience in program oversight or program management with supervisory duties.
Proven experience implementing policy and program initiatives, including preparing legislation.
Meeting management skills, including the ability to mediate and facilitate issues to resolution.
Ability to read, interpret, and articulate applicable ordinances, municipal codes, plans, and specifications and street improvement manuals.
Effective oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
Experience in customer service and community outreach.
Effectively works in a multi‑cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Most work is performed in a normal city work/office environment with hybrid options at this time.
Occasional off‑site meetings and site visits may be required.
May require overnight travel, and working nights and weekends to attend public meetings and community events.
Application Requirements Please attach both a cover letter and resume to your application. Failure to do so will result in your application not being considered.
Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a background check.
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.
Full salary range:
$54.60 – $81.93 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 can be found on the City’s website.
EEO Statement 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 upon request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr