Senior Planner
Bellevue
Tuesday, 19 May 2026
The Senior Transportation Planner will develop and lead or support innovative plans, codes, projects and programs that enhance mobility and safety in Bellevue. Examples of primary responsibilities include:Project Management – Serve as project manager, subject matter expert, or task lead for long-range transportation plans, transportation corridor plans, transportation codes, and pedestrian and bicycle network improvement projects. Updates to adopted plans such as the Mobility Implementation Plan and new plans such as the envisioned Bellevue Mobility Plan will be in the work program for the senior planner. Develop and track project budgets, scopes, schedules, and performance targets; procure and manage consultant services; manage project teams of staff and consultants; work with agency partners; and develop and implement community engagement strategies. Community Engagement – Develop and implement public engagement plans for stakeholder involvement through the concept development phase of transportation plans, codes and projects, including creating presentation materials for open houses and public forums and creating on-line questionnaires. Support Council-appointed advisory committees to seek community input. Prepare staff recommendations and guide transportation policies, codes and plans through the Transportation Commission to achieve a recommendation. Present policies, plans, codes and projects to the public, Transportation Commission and City Council. Transportation Commission Support – The senior planner may be selected to serve as staff support to the Transportation Commission. This responsibility includes working with project managers and the chair and vice chair to prepare agendas that culminate in timely and well-vetted recommendations. The staff support person is ultimately responsible for the logistics and technology applications to ensure the Commission meetings are accessible to the public. Planning, Research, and Communications – Analyze City transportation policies, plans, codes, practices, and projects accounting for developments in the field and applicable legislation by other levels of government; prepare reports of findings; and support implementation of project concepts that improve mobility options. Governmental Relations – Build effective relationships on behalf of the department with external agencies, community groups, property owners, and business organizations toward implementing Bellevue’s transportation vision. Supervision Received and Exercised. The Senior Transportation Planner will work under the general supervision of the Principal Transportation Planner. The Senior Transportation Planner may supervise a Transportation Planning Intern.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Knowledge of:Transportation (especially, active transportation) planning principles, practices, and methods as applicable to a municipal setting. Transportation policies, plans and codes, including the preparation of staff recommendations, the process of public vetting and adoption, implementation and monitoring. Research methods and the ability to compile and analyze data in preparing policy and code recommendations and plans. National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and Vision Zero, Safe Systems, and Complete Streets concepts and approaches to designing and managing urban streets. Bellevue’s Mobility Implementation Plan, and Vision Zero Strategic Plan. Public involvement techniques and public process for adopting policies, codes and plans and implementing projects. Contract and program budget management. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and In. Design to create graphics and reports. Microsoft Office software to prepare documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Ability to:Manage complex and occasionally controversial transportation policy, code and planning projects from concept to recommendation to adoption. Procure, select and manage professional service consultants in support of transportation planning. Represent Transportation Department planning and project concept development at the Transportation Commission, and work with the Transportation Commission to prepare their recommendations to the City Council. Think conceptually, research complex issues, observe and evaluate trends, and analyze and extrapolate logical conclusions from large data sets. Prepare and deliver presentations – typically in PowerPoint, either in-person or virtually - to the City Council, Transportation Commission, other boards and commissions, civic groups, citizen advisory committees, and the public. Write clear and concise reports, memos, policies and plans. Communicate technical information in a non-technical manner with individuals and groups on complex planning policies, plans or regulations. Use sound judgment under stressful situations and handle sensitive issues with diplomacy and poise. Establish and maintain effective working relations with city staff, staff of other agencies, elected and appointed officials, and the community. Lead, facilitate, or participate as subject matter expert in technical working groups with other City divisions to ensure appropriate Transportation Department representation, involvement and feedback at all stages of project development and implementation. Manage time on multiple projects, priorities, competing deadlines with attention to detail in a dynamic work environment. Identify and address risks to project scope, schedule, or budget and deliver projects on time and on budget. Education, Experience, and Other Requirements. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in land-use planning, urban planning, transportation or a closely related field. Minimum: 5 years of experience that provides the applicant with a comprehensive knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to functional areas such as land use, the environment, transportation or other related areas. Included in the five years experience must be two years of project management experience. Preferred: Seven years of professional related experience in any of the following: land use planning, the development process, economics, growth management, transportation, environmental planning or urban design. Master's degree and American Institute of Certified Planners designation. Or any demonstrated combination of education and experience.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands. The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to 20 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. FLEXIBLE/ HYBRID WORKING: A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.
HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.
Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.
At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
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For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
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