SDOT Mobility & Access Planning Intern

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!

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!

By applying to this job posting, you are applying for the following internship opportunities with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Project Development Division. Applicants will be asked to say which opportunity interests them most and will be matched to the one that best fits their skills and interests.

As part of SDOT's Corridors Development Team, you'll help shape how people travel on some of Seattle's busiest and most important streets. In this hands-on role, you'll learn how planners and engineers evaluate existing conditions, develop design concepts, and work with communities to create safer, more accessible ways to get around.

You'll split your time mainly between the Corridors and Bike teams. You'll support corridor projects funded by the Seattle Transportation Levy, from early planning through concept development. The work mixes field observation, data analysis, community engagement, and visual communication.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct field observations and analyze crash and operations data to inform corridor planning, safety improvements, and concept development

Support public engagement by staffing outreach events, preparing materials, and summarizing community feedback into clear themes

Create maps, graphics, and conceptual designs that communicate design alternatives and tradeoffs

Help assess trail and bike parking upgrades in coordination with the Bike team

Preferred Areas of Study: Urban Planning; Transportation Planning; Civil Engineering; Urban Design; Geography; Public Policy or a related field

SDOT's ADA Program leads the department's work to make Seattle's sidewalks, streets, and SDOT-owned facilities accessible to everyone, across policy, planning, design, engineering, construction, and inspections. In this role, you'll mainly support the update of SDOT's ADA Transition Plan, the City's roadmap for removing accessibility barriers in the public right-of-way.

You'll lead outreach and engagement activities, develop and distribute surveys, and turn community input into clear findings. You'll use ArcGIS to connect what community members tell you with capital improvement planning. You'll also help coordinate ADA projects to make sure their accessibility features meet federal, state, and City standards. This role is ideal for students interested in accessible design, disability policy, or community engagement.

Support outreach for the ADA Transition Plan by developing surveys and focus groups, analyzing findings, and creating accessible community materials and graphics

Coordinate ADA Customer Service Request projects and Transition Plan work with the ADA Program team, including weekly meetings, action item follow-up, and work plans

Support SDOT's Pedestrian Access Advisory Committee and other public meetings by researching background materials, coordinating logistics, taking notes, and making sure meetings are accessible

Use ArcGIS to connect community survey responses with capital improvement requests and help develop new accessibility projects

Preferred Areas of Study: Urban Planning; Urban Design; Communications; Disability Studies; Public Policy; or a related field

Engage in meaningful and educational opportunities that align seamlessly with your academic program, enhancing both your knowledge and skills.

Contribute to your community while building a rewarding and impactful career by working with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Develop valuable networking connections with experienced professional staff, fostering relationships that can support your future career growth.

Take advantage of City-sponsored training sessions and professional development modules to expand your expertise and competencies.

Experience a diverse range of responsibilities and projects that contribute to making Seattle an exceptional place to live, work, and thrive.

Competitive Pay and Benefits: Paid sick leave after 90 days of employment. Enjoy commuting benefits including ORCA transit passes, bike programs and benefits, guaranteed ride home program, carpool matching, and more. Participate in the City's Flash Mentorship program, offering quick and impactful guidance from experienced professionals to support your growth. Internship Start Dates: January 13, 2027 & January 27, 2027. Schedule: Intern will work up-to 20 hours/week while school is in session, up to 40 hours/week during school breaks. Work hours can be scheduled between 8am and 5pm Monday - Friday. May work weekends, may work evenings. Salary: Undergraduate students will be paid $22.56 - $22.56 per hour. Graduate students will be paid $27.67 - $27.67 per hour. Hiring Process Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Your application will not be reviewed if any of these items are missing or incomplete. Completed NEOGOV online application. Cover letter. Resume. Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA. If applicable- for students transitioning from an undergraduate to graduate program, submit admissions offer to the graduate program to confirm intention of enrollment. Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process. Hybrid Work: Interns are expected to report to work onsite in Seattle consistent with departmental in-office minimums and as operational needs require for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Therefore, interns are expected to have a Washington State address and reside in Washington State at the start and for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Who May Apply: This position is open to all 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. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Your application will not be reviewed if any of these items are missing or incomplete.

Completed NEOGOV online application.

Cover letter.

Resume.

Unofficial transcript including current classes and GPA.

If applicable- for students transitioning from an undergraduate to graduate program, submit admissions offer to the graduate program to confirm intention of enrollment.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process.

Hybrid Work: Interns are expected to report to work onsite in Seattle consistent with departmental in-office minimums and as operational needs require for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle. Therefore, interns are expected to have a Washington State address and reside in Washington State at the start and for the duration of their internships with the City of Seattle.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all 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. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

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