Salary: $45.59 - $53.14 Hourly
Location : City Hall, 600 4th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Term Limited, Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Office of Planning & Community Development
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
The Seattle Design Commission

The Seattle Design Commission is an independent body that promotes civic design excellence in capital improvement projects located on City land, in the City right-of-way, or constructed with City funds. The Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on the design of capital improvements and policies that shape Seattle's public realm.

Job Responsibilities
The Job

We are recruiting a Planning Specialist to join the team that supports the Seattle Design Commission. This job is currently budgeted through 2028, and based on current transit projects, we expect that it will be extended.
We are looking for applicants who combine a planning background with community engagement expertise and strong oral, written, and visual communication skills. Your work will support the evaluation and permitting of Sound Transit plans for new light rail stations, and will include confirming information such as site plans, landscape plans, building elevations, and community engagement planning.
To be successful, you are committed to:

• Public service, and being a part of a team at the forefront of innovation for equitable and sustainable development
• Working to promote civic design excellence
• Collaborating respectfully with internal and external partners
• Listening and communicating complex information clearly using graphic and verbal tools - one-on-one, with groups, and making presentations

To be effective, you have:

• Researched, evaluated, and analyzed site and landscape plans, as well as building elevations for public places and spaces
• Experience in public transit investments and their integration into neighborhoods
• Created and implemented authentic culturally responsive community engagement plans
• Created and shared planning-related summaries, highlighting key project elements with a variety of audiences, and using multiple formats
• Experience with permitting processes
• Expertise with MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Managed a website, including design and content creation

Qualifications
In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the following required qualifications (or a combination of education, training, or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform this job):
Three years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work
OR
Two years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work, and an associate's degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or a related field
OR
One year of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation, or other work directly related to City planning and development work; and a baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field

Additional Information
This job is classified as a Planning & Development Specialist 1 and is part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with PROTEC17 - Professional Unit. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $45.59 - $53.14 per hour. New employees start at Step 1. Current City employees' starting pay rate will be based on the Personnel Rules regarding promotions.
Work Location and Hours: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.

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:

Here is a resource for with the City of Seattle.

In addition to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• A cover letter that details the work you have done aligned with equitable planning and development

01

In your own words, tell us how your approach to planning made a project more equitable and aligned with the community where it was built. What was your role? What did you contribute to the project?
Required Question