Job Description
This role leads entitlement and permitting for waterfront, civil, transportation, and bridge projects, managing research, writing, and staff coordination. It reviews code requirements, coordinates processes, submits applications, and guides teams for Washington State and federal compliance. The position addresses transportation planning in areas like WSF Long Range Plan and PSRC studies.
KPFF functions as a multi-discipline engineering firm with 30 offices and 1,400 professionals focusing on excellence and relationships. It supports projects from feasibility to construction for transportation, land use, and environmental needs. The group collaborates with planners, engineers, and clients for sustainable solutions.
Activities include directing spatial analysis using mapping tools, guiding grant writing, managing budgets and invoicing, facilitating meetings, and developing reports with Microsoft Office. Work requires travel within Seattle area, designing schedules, and liaising with agencies. A challenge is lifting 15 pounds occasionally during site visits involving walking, standing, or kneeling.
Compensation ranges from $85,000 to $115,000 annually with bonuses. Hybrid location in Seattle, Washington, with remote work capabilities. Benefits include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, FSA, life insurance, disability, seven holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick days, jury duty, supplemental leave, and ORCA subsidy. Professional development focuses on clearly written communications and project management software like Smartsheet.
Responsibilities
- Lead land use and transportation planning initiatives, managing project scopes and schedules
- Review and finalize content for reports and memos, ensuring clarity, quality, and alignment
- Guide spatial analysis and mapping efforts to support planning and decision-making
- Direct grant writing efforts and proposal development
- Manage and coordinate deliverables across teams and subconsultants, from a range of disciplines
- Prepare clear, accurate project documents including presentations, memorandums, reports, and spreadsheets
- Identify resources needed and coordinate with group leads to delegate individual responsibilities
- Facilitate client, stakeholder, and public meetings and presentations and ensure follow through on action items
- Manage project budgets including analysis of project spending, preparation of budget reports, and management of timely and accurate invoicing
- Ensure project documents comply with project requirements and are complete, current, and stored appropriately
- Lead development of project documents in coordination with planners, engineers, subconsultants, and clients, including reports, memos, presentations, and graphics
- Develop strategies and recommendations for clients in coordination with technical experts
- Direct research and interpretation of code requirements for properties and projects
- Lead coordination of land use and regulatory processes across disciplines and jurisdictions
- Establish and maintain relationships with agencies to streamline permitting and approval processes
- Coordinate with design team to ensure timely and accurate information for permit applications
- Manage preparation and submission of land use and permit applications, ensuring completeness and compliance
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules, adjusting timelines and resources as needed
- Serve as primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout project lifecycle
- Handle day-to-day client interaction, identifying needs and evaluate solutions
- Set and manage client expectations when appropriate
- Develop lasting relationships with client personnel that foster long-term client relationships
- Continually seek opportunities to increase client satisfaction and deepen client relationships
- Identify opportunities for improvement and make constructive suggestions
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in planning (transportation, development, public policy, land use, or environmental)
- 3 years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility
- Familiarity with both Washington State and federal regulations
- Familiarity with permitting and entitlement processes
- Understanding of transportation, land use and environmental planning
- Ability to conduct research, compile, and analyze technical data
- Proven ability to facilitate team, project, and client meetings effectively and document meeting outcomes
- Skilled in writing and editing reports and proposals
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Self-starter with efficient time management and the ability to work independently
- Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint knowledge
- Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project)
- Ability to work effectively remotely
- Ability to travel to meetings within the greater Seattle area
- Experience in Bluebeam or Adobe In-Design