Principal Transportation Planner

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Principal Transportation Planner!

Why Kirkland?

• Provides transportation planning expertise, developing ideas, and carrying out work programs that advance major City initiatives, high-priority and highly visible programs/projects, controversial topics and regional issues, ensuring compliance with local, regional, state, and federal laws,
• Exercises overall project management skills and demonstrates expert knowledge in all phases of project management; oversees budgets and project timelines; directs, leads, and oversees inter-departmental professional staff, consultants and multidisciplinary teams; evaluates program accomplishments against goals; provides recommendations.
• Builds partnerships with constituencies to address controversial and complex issues, while ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the potential impacts of policies, plans, and implementation actions.
• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of public involvement and community outreach to engage the community for assigned topics.
• Prepares and drafts ordinances, codes, and policies related to assigned projects and programs.
• Identifies and writes grants related to funding programs.
• Serves as the liaison between City and various local, regional, and state boards, commissions, and committees, advocating for the City's vision and interests. Performs research, gathers input, prepares reports, and presents information to the public, City commissions, and City Council.
• Selects consultants, negotiates consultant agreements, monitors consultant's progress and expenditures, and provides technical review of consultant's products.
• Serves as a professional expert resource for elected officials, the public and other staff on issues related to assigned projects/programs; navigates through complex issues using professional skills and analytical abilities, by partnering with interested parties to identify resources, evaluate options, and provide solutions,
• May guide other staff or direct work-team activities to achieve desired vision and outcomes.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

• Other duties as assigned by the department Director and/or Deputy Director.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and legal aspects of multi-modal transportation planner including federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of transportation engineering, design, and construction.
• Knowledge of techniques for promoting the visibility of City issues and effectively advocating for the 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 interpret statistical data.
• Ability to identify, lead, and manage complex initiatives, programs, and projects to advance the City's vision and interests; plan, organize and carry out a work program to meet deadlines and expectations for quality.
• Ability to analyze situations in relation to social, economic, and political context; use technical expertise and knowledge to determine the proper course of action in support of the City's vision and interests; provide consultation service to customers, identifying resources, options and steps necessary for implementation of options,
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of internal and external customers, including City staff, elected officials, representatives of other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to effectively persuade and influence decisions or desired behavior to achieve outcomes favorable to City interests.
• Ability to prepare, coordinate, or oversee preparation and presentation of technical analysis for regional projects to City staff, City Council, Transportation Commission, and regional transportation interest groups.
• Knowledge and experience in public policy development and interpretation.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and resolve problems leading to the successful resolution of controversial issues.
• Ability to develop and deliver clear explanations of complicated issues to a variety of audiences including elected officials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, urban planning (with emphasis on transportation planning), urban design, public administration, public policy or related field,
• Experience: 7 or more years of professional experience in the above fields.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Master's degree preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners or Professional Engineer designation preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Work is predominately performed indoors in an office with occasional driving to other locations for meetings. Attendance at evening meetings is required. The work requires sitting, talking and listening; frequently requires the use of hands and fingers, handling writing instruments, computers and office supplies which require repetitive arm wrist and hand movement. Occasionally, requires standing and reaching with arms and hands, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending or crawling. May require occasional lifting not exceeding 20 pounds. May require field work.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applications will occur on January 21st, 2026.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.