Principal Transportation Planner

Employer

City of Kirkland

$ - $ Annually

Kirkland, WA

Full-Time

Public Works - Transportation

01/06/2026

Exempt

AFSCME

Principal Transportation Planner – The City of Kirkland is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a subject-matter expert in transportation planning, routinely engaged in management of highly technical, politically sensitive, and complex programs and projects. In this role, you will develop, interpret, and formulate complex plans, policies, and recommendations, providing independent professional judgment and oversight under the supervision of the Transportation Manager.

You will advise department leadership, City Management, boards, commissions, City Council, and other stakeholders, building relationships and partnerships at the city, regional, and state levels to advance the City’s transportation vision.

The position is non‑management, but holds significant responsibility to strategically advance the City’s initiatives. Decisions made at this level have multiple ramifications and may involve legal and/or financial liability. The role does not directly supervise staff but provides oversight and direction on programs and projects.

This is a non‑management classification requiring significant experience and expertise in a specific functional area, with assignments that are highly visible, politically sensitive, and extremely complex. You will work under general supervision of the Transportation Manager while functioning independently and directly with public officials and elected representatives as the technical expert.

• Provide transportation planning expertise, developing innovative work programs that advance major City initiatives and address complex regional issues while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
• Exercise project management skills across all project phases, oversee budgets and timelines, lead interdisciplinary teams, and evaluate program accomplishments against goals.
• Build partnerships with constituencies to address controversial and complex issues, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of potential impacts.
• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of public involvement and community outreach to engage the community on assigned topics.
• Prepare and draft ordinances, codes, and policies related to assigned projects and programs.
• Identify and write grant proposals to secure funding for programs.
• Serve as liaison between the City and local, regional, and state boards, commissions, and committees; advocate for the City’s vision, perform research, gather input, prepare reports, and present information to the public, commissions, and City Council.
• Select consultants, negotiate agreements, monitor progress and expenditures, and provide technical review of consultant products.
• Act as a professional resource for elected officials, the public, and staff on issues related to assigned projects and programs, navigating complex issues and partnering with stakeholders to identify resources, evaluate alternatives, and provide solutions.
• Guide staff or work teams to achieve desired vision and outcomes.
• Foster a positive and supportive work environment; promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.

• Other duties as assigned by the department Director and/or Deputy Director.
• Perform functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan during emergencies.

• Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and legal aspects of multimodal transportation planning, including federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of transportation engineering, design, and construction.
• Knowledge of techniques for promoting visibility of City issues and effectively advocacy for City interests before other governmental agencies and the public.
• Knowledge of concepts and practices necessary for researching and analyzing complex issues, evaluating alternatives, and presenting information.
• Ability to read and comprehend complex engineering plans.
• Ability to analyze and…