Planning & Development Specialist, Senior

About the role

Position Description Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for an Outreach and Engagement Lead to drive community engagement for the Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction Program (CSO Program). In this role, you’ll shape outreach strategy from options analysis through construction, lead and mentor a team of outreach consultants, set program-wide engagement standards, and manage the CSO Program website. In this role you will plan and lead dynamic community events, collaborate with City departments, elected officials, and partner agencies, and ensure clear, consistent communication with impacted neighborhoods. Working closely with project managers, engineers, and construction teams, you’ll help advance SPU’s mission to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and deliver equitable community benefits.

About the CSO Program

The CSO Program protects Seattle’s waterways by reducing sewage and polluted stormwater overflows, as required by a federal Consent Decree. The team manages multiple concurrent projects and seeks to incorporate meaningful public benefits through CSO infrastructure improvements.

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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SPU primary outreach subject matter expert for internal project teams, consulting firms, and coordinate with other City departments and agencies.
• Lead the development of programmatic messaging and engagement standards, develop and execute comprehensive, equity-driven outreach and engagement strategies for the multi-year CSO program.
• Lead community engagement efforts (in person and virtual), such as public meetings, neighborhood briefings, and one-on-one meetings with politically sensitive stakeholders, impacted businesses, and community groups to solicit input and mitigate construction impacts.
• Oversee the development of outreach materials such as fact sheets, websites, notices, etc. adhering to the City’s language access, digital accessibility, and writing style guidance.
• Measure effectiveness of community engagement efforts and ensure documented compliance with all federal and state public participation mandates.
• Oversee and coordinate work of consultant outreach staff and manage consultant budgets and deliverables. Track outreach activities, contacts, and community interactions using SPU’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Coach project team members in communication, presentation, and engagement skills.
• Identify and elevate emerging issues to ensure the “no surprises rule” for SPU leadership and impacted communities.

Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in planning, capital projects, community engagement, human services, environmental issues, conservation, project management; or other work directly related to City planning and capital projects, urban planning and development, community engagement.

Education: Baccalaureate degree in planning, urban design, capital projects, environmental studies, public administration, project management, or related field (or a combination of education and