Inspection Lead, Swing Shift; Senior Civil Engineering Specialist

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!

SDOT's Street Use division is seeking an Inspection Lead for its swing shift (under the City's classification title of Senior Civil Engineering Specialist). The role includes work hours outside a usual 8-5 business hours. In this role, you will lead a small team of inspectors. You will lead education/coaching and enforcement efforts to address unpermitted use of Right-of-Way (ROW), inspections of permitted uses of ROW, and coordinate removal or adjustment of permitted and unpermitted use of ROW that interferes with capital projects or public use of ROW.

This position will report to the Public Space Management Supervisor.

• Plan and participate in late night and occasional weekend patrols to address unpermitted use of public ROW related to nightlife (often unpermitted street vending).
• Assign and manage inspections of permitted use of public ROW including initial, annual, and final inspections.
• Assign and manage enforcement of unpermitted encroachments built in public ROW.
• Coach members of the public about how to obtain permit approval for use of public ROW.
• Ensure and enforce compliance with terms of permits authorizing use of public ROW.
• Coordinate and cooperate with other agencies, departments, divisions and private utilities involved in or affected by project(s).
• Participate in the selection, hiring, and performance appraisal of subordinates.
• Support and advance our goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Minimum Qualifications

You must have:

• Requires four (4) years of Civil Engineering experience;
• An Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college level coursework in engineering and construction technology;

OR: A combinations 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 highly desired qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Fluency or strong capability in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.
• Work effectively in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Language Premium Pay

The City manages the Language Premium Program (SMC 4.20.360) to compensate employees who are assigned to perform bilingual, interpretive, and/or translation services within their core job functions. Employees who successfully complete the application process (including a third-party language evaluation) and are approved with department designation, will receive a $200 monthly stipend as premium pay.

This position is a pre-approved Language Premium assignment with the Seattle Department of Transportation; the eligible new employee must complete and pass language evaluation to fill the assignment.

Offers of employment…