SDOT OEEI Legal Compliance Intern

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! Job Responsibilities Position Overview: By applying to this job posting, you are applying for the following internship opportunities with SDOT's Office of Equity and Economic Inclusion (OEEI). Candidates will be matched to the opportunity that best fits their skills and interests. Opportunity 1: Race & Social Justice (RSJ) Intern As the RSJ Intern, you'll support OEEI in advancing the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative across SDOT. You'll help build staff understanding of historic and ongoing inequities and give employees tools to apply an equity lens to their daily work. Working closely with the RSJ Strategic Advisor, you'll help plan and coordinate equity trainings and workshops, develop learning resources, and communicate OEEI's work to staff across the department. This role is ideal for someone who wants hands-on experience in organizational change, training design, and internal communications in the public sector. Key Responsibilities: Help plan, coordinate, and support RSJ trainings, workshops, and internal events, including logistics, materials, and follow-up based on attendee feedbackResearch equity best practices and help maintain and expand the RSJ resource libraryDraft content for newsletters, presentations, webpages, and internal communications about OEEI programsSupport a youth mentorship pilot program and other OEEI initiatives as needed Preferred Areas of Study: Diversity, Ethnicity, and/or Gender Studies; Social Justice Studies; Social Work; Communications; Social Sciences Opportunity 2: Transportation Equity Intern As the Transportation Equity Intern, you'll help make sure SDOT's projects and programs serve all Seattle communities fairly, especially those that have historically been underserved. You'll work with the Transportation Equity Coordinator and Manager to connect community members with SDOT and bring community voices into how transportation decisions are made. This role combines community engagement, research, and communications. You'll help plan and staff community events, prepare materials for diverse audiences, and support translation of outreach materials so information reaches people in the languages they speak. Key Responsibilities: Help plan and deliver community meetings, workshops, and engagement activities for external audiencesDevelop and review outreach materials for community members, including coordinating translation of collateral materialsResearch transportation equity best practices and help organize program data to inform planning and evaluationHelp prepare external reports, presentations, and website updates on Transportation Equity programs Preferred Areas of Study: Planning; Sustainable Transportation; Public Administration; Linguistics; International Studies; Communications; Social Sciences Opportunity 3: Compliance Intern (Title VI & Contracting Equity) As the Compliance Intern, you'll support SDOT's work to meet its civil rights and contracting equity obligations. This includes Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which applies to programs that receive federal funding, and the City's goals for contracting with women- and minority-owned businesses (WMBE). You'll work with the Compliance Manager and Contracting Equity Strategic Advisor to monitor, track, and report on the department's progress. This role is a strong fit for someone who is detail-oriented and interested in policy, data, and how government makes sure public dollars are spent fairly. You'll receive training on the City's data and reporting systems and gain experience in policy implementation and compliance management. Key Responsibilities: Monitor contracts and review reports for accuracy, completeness, and reporting issuesCreate and maintain Excel reports and spreadsheets tracking Title VI and WMBE compliance dataHelp analyze data and prepare compliance reports, dashboards, and presentation materials for leadershipResearch civil rights and contracting equity policies and help draft internal guidance and communications Preferred Areas of Study: Public Administration; Public Policy; Pre-Law or Legal Studies; Business; Accounting; Data Analytics; Social Sciences Professional and Educational Benefits: Engage in meaningful and educational opportunities that align seamlessly with your academic program, enhancing both your knowledge and skills. Contribute to your community while building a rewarding and impactful career by working with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Develop valuable networking connections with experienced professional staff, fostering relationships that can support your future career growth. Take advantage of City-sponsored training sessions and professional development modules to expand your expertise and competencies. Experience a diverse range of responsibilities and projects that contribute to making Seattle an exceptional place to live, work, and thrive. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited 2-year or 4-year educational program. All undergraduate majors must maintain a 2.0 GPA. All graduate students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Additional Information Competitive Pay and Benefits: Paid sick leave after 90 days of employment. Enjoy commuting benefits including ORCA transit passes, bike programs and benefits, guaranteed ride home program, carpool matching, and more. Participate in the City's Flash Mentorship program, offering quick and impactful guidance from experienced professionals to support your growth. Internship Start Dates: January 13, 2027 & January 27, 2027. Schedule: Intern will work up-to 20 hours/week while school is in session, up to 40 hours/week during school breaks. Work hours can be scheduled between 8am and 5pm Monday - Friday. May work weekends, may work evenings. Salary: Undergraduate students will be paid $22.56 - $22.56 per hour. Graduate students will be paid $27.67 - $27.67 per hour. Hiring Process: Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Your application will not be reviewed if any of these items are missing or incomplete. Completed NEOGOV online application. Cover letter. Resume. Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA. If applicable- for students transitioning from an undergraduate to graduate program, submit admissions offer to the graduate program to confirm intention of enrollment. Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process. Hybrid Work: Interns are expected to report to work onsite in Seattle consistent with departmental in-office minimums and as operational needs require for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Therefore, interns are expected to have a Washington State address and reside in Washington State at the start and for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. 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.