Position Description

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a skilled Planner to lead planning efforts in the Duwamish Valley. This is an exciting opportunity to innovate, shape hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvement projects, and bring about transformational change to ensure residents and businesses thrive despite a changing climate. The Planner will be part of a newly created place-based water resilience section in SPU.

Building on the Duwamish Valley Resilience District work, the Planner will lead water management infrastructure and community resilience planning to protect Duwamish Valley residents and businesses from flooding due to extreme precipitation, high tides, and rising sea levels. This position will play a critical role in advancing SPU's infrastructure investments, climate change adaptation and resilience, environmental stewardship, and community engagement initiatives in one of Seattle's most vital industrial and residential corridors. The Planner will work in close coordination with and support other City of Seattle (City) departments and external partners to deliver community co-benefits including open space, river access, community-supportive services, livability, environmental justice, and equitable development.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Lead development of a comprehensive area plan for the Duwamish Valley
• Develop strategic land acquisition and right-of-way assembly strategies that support SPU's infrastructure, environmental, and climate resilience objectives
• Ensure all planning activities comply with federal, state, and local environmental regulations
• Scope consultant support and manage consultant teams
• Report on area planning progress to the Drainage and Wastewater and SPU leadership

Area Plan Implementation

• Collaborate with real estate professionals to facilitate property acquisition processes
• Provide technical support for annexation processes and related land use activities
• Coordinate with and support relevant efforts and processes (e.g., land use, zoning, Shoreline Master Program, remediation, etc.) to construct and protect SPU’s assets, projects, and properties
• Coordinate State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statement processes and other permitting requirements for area plan implementation

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Participate in South Park flooding preparedness and response activities, including playing an active role in the Incident Command System (ICS) during emergencies
• Support proactive community resilience and preparedness in coordination with emergency management partners

Internal and External Relations and Collaboration

• Build, manage, and maintain relationships with other City departments and external agencies working in the Duwamish Valley
• Lead inclusive community engagement activities for planning and area plan implementation efforts
• Ensure meaningful participation from diverse community voices, with particular attention to those most affected by infrastructure projects and climate change

Environmental Justice

• Align, coordinate, and sequence SPU’s and other partners’ projects and investments to minimize unintended impacts on and maximize benefits for Duwamish Valley residents and businesses
• Apply an environmental justice and equitable development lens to the work to ensure equitable distribution of benefits from public investments

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.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Geography, Public Administration, or two additional years of related experience.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience in community planning, land use planning, environmental planning, infrastructure or capital projects planning, climate change adaptation or resilience planning, or related field, including inclusive community engagement

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with environmental justice initiatives, community-based planning, and/or equitable development, preferably in an urban and/or industrial setting
• Experience improving social determinants of health and delivering co-benefits through public investments and capital projects
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse communities and partner with interdisciplinary groups, government agencies, community advisory groups, etc. to solve complex problems
• Experience directing consultants and interpreting technical analyses, preferably related to flooding and sea level rise adaptation
• Understanding of land use planning principles, zoning regulations, utility operations, and capital projects development processes
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, permitting processes, and SEPA/NEPA requirements
• Project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Additional Information

Workplace Schedule/Environment:

• Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3 days/week in-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.
• Work is performed both in an office environment and in a public setting.
• Collaborative, inclusive team environment.

Application Requirement(s):

• A complete NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Attached Resume & Cover Letter describing your skills and experience in relation to this position.

~Candidates submitting an incomplete Application Packages will NOT be considered~

The salary range for this position is $114,004.80 - $171,069.84 annually