SDOT Planning & Policy Graduate Intern

Position Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

Job Responsibilities

• Position Overview: By applying to this job posting, you are applying for the following internship opportunities with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Applicants will be asked to rank the opportunities that interest them most and will be matched to the one that best fits their skills and interests. Opportunity 1: Active Transportation Planner Intern Join SDOT's Pedestrian and Neighborhood Projects Team and help make Seattle's neighborhood streets calmer, safer, and more welcoming for people walking, biking, playing, and gathering. You'll mainly support two programs: Home Zones works with communities to reduce speeds and cut-through traffic on residential streets and to reclaim street space for trees and gathering areas. Neighborhood Greenway s is building a network of calm, low-traffic streets that connect people to schools, parks, transit, and other destinations. This role is ideal for someone passionate about creating streets that support health, activity, and connection for Seattle's diverse communities. You'll support fair and inclusive public engagement, collect and analyze data, evaluate resident traffic-calming requests, and help assess how completed projects are performing. Key Responsibilities: Develop materials for community events and engage directly with community members Collect walking and biking data on neighborhood streets, and analyze it to evaluate past projects and prioritize resident requests Research how peer agencies reduce cut-through traffic and improve safety and comfort on shared streets Evaluate site conditions and help develop project proposals for construction Assist other team members with outreach, analysis, project development, and research-related tasks as needed Preferred Areas of Study: Urban Planning; Transportation Planning; Urban Design; Public Policy; Geography; Civil Engineering; Political Science or another closely related field Opportunity 2: Bike Program Intern As an intern with SDOT's Bike Team, you'll help make biking and scooter-share in Seattle safer, more accessible, and better connected. This dynamic role combines field work with technical planning. You'll assess and lay out bike and scooter-share parking, inspect the city's multi-use trails, and support project development alongside planners and engineers. You'll also turn data into insight. You'll use GIS and Adobe design tools to update Seattle's bicycle map, analyze collision and speed data, and create clear graphics that support planning decisions. Key Responsibilities: Assess potential bike and scooter-share parking locations in the field, complete spray-paint layouts, and submit work orders for rack installation Support the Annual Trails Checkup by inspecting trail conditions, taking photos, and documenting maintenance needs Help develop small projects up to 30% design and support outreach on larger projects Update Seattle's bicycle map and analyze collision and speed data using ArcGIS Pro Preferred Areas of Study: Urban Planning; Transportation Planning; Geography/GIS; Civil Engineering; Urban Design or another closely related field Opportunity 3: Ballard Link Extension (BLE) Project Intern Support the City of Seattle's Sound Transit 3 (ST3) team on the Ballard Link Extension, a major light rail project led by Sound Transit with the City as partner, stakeholder, and regulator. You'll work in a highly collaborative interagency setting with designers, engineers, planners, equity leaders, and engagement specialists across City departments and Sound Transit. This internship offers broad exposure to how light rail projects are planned and delivered, including interagency coordination, technical reviews, and City policy development. You'll support project managers with research and information management, and you'll help the Planning, Equity, and Engagement team with community engagement and planning for access to transit stations. Key Responsibilities: Gather project data and prepare summaries and presentation materials for project leadership Research related policies, precedents, case studies, and codes, and summarize findings for staff Support internal, interagency, and public engagement activities, including preparing agendas, taking notes, and staffing events Help develop ArcGIS web maps that present key project data Preferred Areas of Study: Urban Planning; Engineering; Public Administration; Architecture; Landscape Architecture or another closely related field Opportunity 4: Curbside Technology & Infrastructure Intern Support SDOT's Curbside Management Program on two initiatives: expanding Levy-funded public electric vehicle (EV) charging across Seattle a federally funded SMART grant program that explores how packages, goods, and services are delivered around the city You'll work on new programs that advance SDOT's goals for sustainability, mobility, and modernization. This role mixes field work, data analysis, community outreach, and policy research. You'll visit charging sites, analyze how chargers and loading zones are used, and help develop policy recommendations for the curb. Key Responsibilities: Conduct site visits to new and existing curbside EV charging locations to evaluate site conditions and repair needs Analyze charging use data in partnership with Seattle City Light, and loading-zone data from curb sensors Support outreach for new public EV charging stations in neighborhoods and at parks, community centers, and libraries Research commercial loading policies and draft recommendations to support project development Preferred Areas of Study: Environmental Policy & Sustainability; Transportation Planning; Urban Planning; Public Policy or another closely related field Professional and Educational Benefits: 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.

Position Overview

Opportunity 1: Active Transportation Planner Intern

Opportunity 2: Bike Program Intern

Opportunity 3: Ballard Link Extension (BLE) Project Intern

Opportunity 4: Curbside Technology & Infrastructure Intern

Minimum Qualifications

• Open to all graduate students actively enrolled in an accredited educational program. All graduate students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout internship duration.
• Open to all graduate students actively enrolled in an accredited educational program.
• All graduate students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout internship duration.

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: 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. Accommodation for people with disabilities is provided on request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
• 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

• Graduate students will be paid $27.67 - $27.67 per hour.

Hiring Process

Benefits

• Work on meaningful projects that complement your academic program Flexible working hours Access to professional and educational development Competitive pay Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program A printable document including all intern benefits can be found here !
• Work on meaningful projects that complement your academic program Flexible working hours Access to professional and educational development Competitive pay Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Flexible working hours Access to professional and educational development Competitive pay Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Access to professional and educational development Competitive pay Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Competitive pay Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Commuting benefits including an ORCA pass and car share discounts Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Paid sick and safe leave (after 90 days of employment) Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program
• Access to the City's new Flash Mentorship Program

Supplemental Questions