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To apply, please go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/3498711-0/director-seattle-department-of-transportation

If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch, Senior Executive Recruiter at [email protected]

Position Description

The City of Seattle is conducting a national search for a leader grounded by service to the community and a commitment to mobility access for all through a multi-modal transportation system to serve as the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The Director will ensure that Seattle’s transportation policies, programs and assets, and strategic investments are designed, managed, and operated in accordance with the City’s commitment to equity, prioritizing community safety, reducing transportation emissions, and building trust between the City and the community we serve through meaningful engagement to move Seattle forward.
 
Twenty-seven percent of Seattle's land is made up of streets, sidewalks, and public space. It's a finite amount of space to move our rapidly growing city of people and goods. Beyond filling potholes and helping buses and freight deliveries run on time, at SDOT we also pave streets, adjust traffic signals, create enjoyable public spaces, maintain, and operate infrastructure, and build a network of bike lanes and sidewalks to serve people of all ages and abilities.
 
Seattle is a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation. We're on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities. To achieve our mission, our core values – equity, safety, mobility, sustainability, livability, and excellence - guide every aspect of our work. 
 
SDOT is a nationally recognized municipal transportation agency at the leading edge of multi-modal transportation.   SDOT’s core responsibilities include maintenance and operations of the city's transportation right-of-way, the expansion of the city's bicycle and pedestrian network, care of over 240 bridges, permitting the use of public spaces, and enhancing access to the regional transit system. With dedicated staff, SDOT maintains an operational presence 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in all weather conditions to serve and ensure Seattle’s public mobility.  The Department’s 2022 Adopted Budget authorizes a $731 million budget and includes 1,116 full-time employees.
 
Appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation by City Council every four years, the Director serves as the highest executive authority of the department.  

ob Responsibilities

The Director is responsible for realizing the department's mission of delivering a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities.  

The accountabilities of the Director include:

• Actively ensuring SDOT operations, programs, investments, and staff equitably support Seattle’s public mobility. Align Department operations with City policy objectives, identified customer values, service equity and regulatory compliance.
• Holding the department accountable to its commitment to equity through advancement of the Transportation Equity Framework, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Race and Social Justice Initiative, and strategies that produce measurable outcomes. 
• Championing a safe and inclusive workplace that supports employee engagement, professional development, and productivity.
• Shape and lead the department’s development of the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP), a comprehensive update of our existing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and freight modal plans to meet our current and future needs. The STP will incorporate several city initiatives like Seattle's Vision Zero, the Race and Social Justice Initiative, our Climate Action Plan, Transportation Electrification Blueprint, and others.
• Exercise stewardship in the delivery of capital projects, and on basic maintenance and preservation of aging city transportation assets.  Advance strategies to build, preserve, and operate transportation infrastructure services more cost effectively with improved asset performance to deliver the best value for public tax dollars.
• Generate new, innovative, and visionary approaches to transportation problem solving that are equitable, effective, and responsive. Encourage dialogue and exploration of transportation trends, new ideas and best practices to spur innovation and data driven decision-making. 
• Provide executive leadership and oversight of the Levy to Move Seattle, the voter-approved, nine-year, $930 million transportation levy funding safety improvements, street and bridge maintenance, and investments in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city. 
• Convene diverse stakeholders to discuss and resolve regional transportation issues.  Build alliances and collaborate across jurisdictions to build strategic relationships with other city departments, regional agencies, state and federal governments, and private interests.

Qualifications

This critical role requires a talented and unifying leader who translates vision and goals into realistic plans with effective and well-coordinated implementation.  People and service to community centers our work and the next Director brings a work history that reflects a commitment to equity, creating spaces for diverse perspectives and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes.  Their work history demonstrates an understanding of power dynamics, including institutional and structural inequities that shape our past, present, and future. They are decisive, keep their commitments, prioritize collaboration, and hold people accountable. 
 
They bring experience and expertise to lead the Department in tackling complex transportation issues.  They are a skilled people manager and have led teams to achieve success within a large, complex, publicly accountable organization. They understand the financial and fiduciary factors that influence a transportation agency’s operations, policies, and decisions and view transparency and accountability as essential to a fiscally responsible organization. They are known as a trusted partner, who exercises a high level of tact, good judgement, discretion, and diplomacy.

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.

As of October 18, 2021, City of Seattle employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to your employment start date. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.  

Additional Information

This full-time position is classified as an Executive 4 in the City payroll system and is authorized for relocation assistance. This position is not covered by the Civil Service System. This role may be required to work nights, evenings, weekends; or attend meetings at locations outside of the office. Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.

 APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered you must include a resume and cover letter with your application.   We encourage you to use your cover letter to discuss why you want to do this work and how you meet the qualifications for the position. Your resume should summarize the talent, experience, knowledge, and skills you bring to this role.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch, Senior Executive Recruiter at [email protected]

Who may apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the above 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 City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.