Salary: $123,947.20 - $157,110.10 Annually
Location : King Street Center - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026JA28150
Department: DLS - Dept. of Local Services
Division: Road Services
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C7 : PROTEC17-DES, DLS, MTD
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
SummaryThe 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.
Job Duties- 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.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills - 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.
Desired Qualifications:- 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.
Supplemental InformationINTERVIEW SCHEDULE: The first round of interviews for this position is scheduled to take place the week of December 7, 2026.
WHO MAY APPLY: 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.
APPLICATION PROCESS: If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Janice Antonio at jantonio@kingcounty.gov
For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf
WORK SCHEDULE: 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.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS: 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.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: PROTEC17
TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: 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.
