City of Seattle, WA

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's Communication team is seeking an experienced and talented Senior Urban Design Visualization Specialist (under the City's classification title of Senior Public Relations Specialist) to create high-quality, accessible visuals that effectively communicate complex transportation projects to the public. This role requires a strong focus on producing photo-realistic and conceptual 2D and 3D renderings for streetscapes, roadways, bike lanes, and public space projects. Additionally, the position includes creating visual and graphics content to support public engagement and storytelling about SDOT’s work.

As this is a new position for SDOT, the successful candidate must bring a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset, someone who thrives in shaping new systems, managing competing priorities, and building workflows from the ground up. This role requires initiative, strong project management skills, and the ability to anticipate needs and drive work independently while collaborating effectively with others.

Examples of rendering/visualization and capabilities we are seeking:

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/albums/72157647239438440/
• https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72177720312716002/
• https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transit-program/transit-plus-multimodal-corridor-program/madison-rapidride-g-line#downtowndesign

This is a unique opportunity to join SDOT, a nationally recognized leader in municipal transportation, and contribute to delivering world-class visuals that highlight Seattle’s transportation initiatives. If you have the design expertise, drive, and passion to bring our projects to life, we encourage you to apply. This position will report to the Content Strategist.

Job Responsibilities

1. 2D and 3D Renderings: Develop detailed and accurate, high-quality 2D and 3D renderings that clearly visualize urban design and transportation projects.
2. Graphics Design: In partnership with and supporting SDOT’s Graphic Designer, produce clear, engaging graphics, and infographics that support SDOT’s public outreach efforts, adhering to accessibility and brand standards. This would include but not limited to flyers, reports, display boards, maps, diagrams, postcards, translated language layouts, infographics, brochures, and signs.
3. Collaborative Development: Proactively work closely with multidisciplinary teams like Communications, Public Engagement, Project Management, and Information Technology teams to create and refine visualization workflows.
4. Data Visualizations: Convert technical files, such as construction documents, across software platforms like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Rhino into clear, visually compelling materials.
5. Creative and Accessible Innovation: Bring new ideas, industry knowledge, and continuous improvement to all projects, following accessibility standards and SDOT guidelines. Seek opportunities to elevate the visual storytelling of Seattle’s transportation projects.
6. Race & Social Justice Initiative: Support department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires two (2) years professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• A Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field.

OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

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

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or Multimedia/Graphic Design are also strongly encouraged to apply.
• Proven ability to create urban design visualizations and renderings.
• Proficiency in visualization editing tools like AutoCAD, Revit, InfraWorks, SketchUp, Twinmotion, Tableau, Power BI, GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar software.
• Exceptional initiative and self-direction: able to anticipate needs, independently manage priorities, and drive tasks to completion with minimal supervision.
• Effective communications and interpersonal skills, including problem-solving, positivity, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Excellent organizational and cross-functional collaboration skills to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Passion for urban design and knowledge of Seattle’s transportation landscape.
• Familiarity with transportation planning and community engagement.
• Commitment to continuous improvement: Interest in staying current with design and visualization trends, as well as new tools.
• Knowledge of graphic accessibility standards for public-facing documents.
• 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.

Additional Information

Your application will not be considered if these items are missing or incomplete.

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Portfolio showcasing transportation-related or similar work, such as streetscape renderings, public space designs, or project visualizations, fully designed and produced by the applicant (provide attachments or website links).
4. Portfolio showcasing graphic design work fully designed and produced by the applicant (provide attachments or website links).

Candidates will be required to provide urban development design, streetscape visualization samples, and graphic designs they’ve created. Candidates should come prepared to complete a brief skills demonstration during the interview process with a design tool of their choosing.

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 $45.74 - $53.27 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.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:

"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

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