Interagency Program Manager (Manager 3- Engineering & Plans Review)

Seattle, United States

Position Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

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.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

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. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

Position Overview:
SDOT presents an exceptional opportunity to work with a team of professionals whose mission is to deliver a safe, reliable, efficient, and socially equitable transportation system that enhances Seattle’s environment and economic vitality. The Interagency Program Manager (under the City's classification title of Manager 3- Engineering & Plans Review) will manage a group of Strategic Advisors, senior-level project managers, and engineers to oversee implementation of SDOT's largest and most technically complex interagency capital projects and programs. This position manages the City's role and represents the City on some of the highest profile, highest impact, and most visible public works projects in the City, and must be able to work under tight timelines and high stress, lead with poise and confidence, and communicate appropriately to staff at all levels of the organization as well as the public and media.

Job Responsibilities

Advise the Interagency Programs Director, SDOT Deputy Directors, SDOT Director, Mayor, and Council members on transportation policy and program issues related to capital projects valued at billions of dollars.
Analyze internal procedures and develop and implement systematic changes vital to improving SDOT's ability to successfully deliver high profile projects that require extensive inter-divisional, interdepartmental, and interagency communication and coordination.
Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with senior staff in other SDOT divisions, other City departments, and other public agencies and private organizations.
Address complex issues that involve multiple, conflicting goals and shifting priorities, move quickly between complex detailed technical issues and broad policy issues, and function effectively with a high degree of independence and initiative.
Lead the SDOT and City team effort related to the design, permitting, and construction of major projects constructed by other public agencies with significant impacts to City infrastructure, including:
- WSDOT's SR-520 project
- WSDOT Revive I-5
- Seattle City Light Underground Cable Replacement Program
- Other interagency projects as they arise
Support department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, public administration, transportation planning, urban planning, or related field.

Experience:

Seven (7)+ years of experience managing design or construction of large public works projects.
Five (5)+ years of supervisory or management experience.

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Successful candidates will possess many of these additional qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

Experience negotiating and administering significant interagency agreements, including reimbursement agreements.
Ability to read, interpret, and articulate field report requests, applicable codes, ordinances, plans and specs, cut sheets, Right-of-Way Improvement Manual, street and sidewalk pavement opening and restoration rules, relevant parts of the Land Use Code, and other applicable rules and regulations.
Experience in construction inspection and code interpretation.
Experience in Engineering Plan Review, permit issuance, and/or public works maintenance/inspection.
Effective written and oral communication skills, and ability to negotiate, mediate, and facilitate issues/concerns to a satisfactory conclusion.
Proficiency in Bluebeam Software, Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams.
Provide performance management through feedback and coaching, address performance issues promptly and responsibly, and effectively recognize high performers.
Support the development of employees that results in enhanced performance while creating and maintaining a work environment that builds talent to ensure the continuity of leadership for the organization.
Effectively work 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.
Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, and work in or near construction sites.
May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.

Additional Information

Please attach a cover letter 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 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.

The full salary range for this position is $59.75 - $89.61 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 is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. 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 on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

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.

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