RainWise Lead (Planning & Development Specialist, Senior - BU)

RainWise Lead (Planning & Development Specialist, Senior - BU)

Salary

$56.23 - $65.54 Hourly

Location

Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00705

Department

Seattle Public Utilities

Division

Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business

Opening Date

06/12/2026

Closing Date

7/7/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Are you looking for an opportunity to support a community-focused program that helps improve environmental health and delivers strong customer service?

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join the Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Division, as the RainWise Lead. Our RainWise Program engages Seattle participants to install rain gardens and cisterns on private property in order to capture stormwater and help keep our creeks, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound clean.

This position works with a team of others in Seattle Public Utilities, King County, and our partner organizations. The position plays an important role in keeping the program running efficiently and providing good customer service to program participants, site inspectors, and the contractors who install rain gardens and cisterns.

About Seattle Public Utilities: SPU is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU's work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out these links:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

We know work isnt only about what you do it's also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions.
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Job Responsibilities

Program Growth and Delivery

• Grow the number of RainWise installations each year, with targeted efforts in priority neighborhoods
• Work with the program team to set goals, track progress, evaluate efforts, and report results
• Oversee design and installation standards
• Support installation contractors and expand the number of qualified installers
• Oversee inspection processes
• Implement program improvements based on data, feedback, and community needs

Customer Service and Public Representation

• Provide strong customer service and represent the RainWise program to the public
• Maintain clear communication with partners and stakeholders, including King County, contractors, and residents
• Review and communicate eligibility requirements
• Troubleshoot issues that arise with contractors or homeowners before, during, and after construction

Program Administration

• Oversee program budget and spending
• Review and approve rebate payments
• Manage contracts and the program's database system

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Qualifications

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation; or other work directly related to City planning and development activities.

AND

Education: Bachelors degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field.

Experience Equivalency: Equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Experience providing responsive, high quality customer service
• Ability to lead cross agency teams or partners without direct supervisory authority
• Proven experience guiding programs through change and improving processes
• Ability to set program goals, develop metrics, and track/report progress to leadership
• Strong communication skills with diverse stakeholders, including contractors and vendors
• Experience building and maintaining community and partner relationships
• Working knowledge of residential rain gardens and cisterns used for stormwater management
• Ability to manage a complex program, including scope, budget, and multi-agency coordination
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to communicate insights clearly
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including managing deadlines and attention to detail

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment

Additional Information

Workplace Environment (Telework Expectation): This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees may have the option to work remotely two days per week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

The full salary range for this position is: $56.23 - $65.54 per hour.

How to Apply:

• A COMPLETE NeoGov/City of Seattle online application
• Resume AND Cover letter attached addressing your knowledge and experience related to this position.

Candidates submitting an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE will NOT be considered.

What Applicants Can Expect:

• Applications will be reviewed after the position closes. Candidates are responsible for ensuring their application is complete.
• Candidates can expect an update on their application status approximately two (2) - three (3) weeks after the closing date.
• I will only be communicating with the contact provided on the application submitted.
• 1st round Interviews will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.
• 2nd round interviews may be conducted in person at the Seattle Municipal Tower.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Vanessa Fowler (vanessa.fowler@seattle.gov).

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Benefits:

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at www.seattle.gov/util/and check us out on social media.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

As indicated in the posting, applicants are asked to submit a COMPLETE APPLICATION, meaning in addition to your NeoGov application, you must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position. Have you done this?

• Yes
• No

02

Please fill out both the application and this questionnaire completely. Any false or incomplete answers (such as "seen resume" or "see application") may result in you not being considered. Do you agree to answer each of these questions truthfully, and do you understand that your answers will be compared to the information on your application?

• Yes
• No

03

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High school diploma/GED
• Associate degree
• Bachelors degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration or related field
• Bachelors in an unrelated field
• Graduate degree (Masters JD, or equivalent)
• I do not have a degree but am applying under the experience equivalency
• None of the above

04

How many years of experience do you have in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation; or other work directly related to City planning and development activities?

• 0 - 6 months
• 6 months - 1 year
• 1 year - 2 years
• 2 years - 3 years
• 3+ years

05

Which category best describes the primary focus of your planning or research experience? (check all that apply)

• Land use planning
• Urban economics
• Human services
• Environmental issues
• Conservation
• Work directly related to City planning and development activities
• I do not have experience in these areas

06

Please briefly describe your experience leading complex programs, including management of program scope and budget.

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs