Position Description

Are you a skilled public problem solver? Do you enjoy negotiating and project managing One Seattle solutions addressing a dynamic array of issues? Does the challenge of forging positive relationships, developing teamwork, and driving transformative change stoke your curiosity and passion? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for someone like you. We are looking for a proven and proficient Inter-Departmental Relations and Strategic Initiatives Advisor (SA2). This advisor will help with both long-term strategies and emerging work. The advisor will also collaborate with all SPU branches, City Departments (i.e., Transportation, Parks, Fire, City Light, Housing, Construction), and regional partners (i.e., King County agencies, developers, etc.) to foster strong relationships, effectively support and resolve key issue areas, and advance strategic initiatives critical to SPU's affordability, sustainability, and equity work.

This role is ideal for an innovative, big picture, and solutions-oriented policy thinker, and a strong project manager who is adept at: getting up to speed fast; diving in and grasping technical detail; understanding different interests and perspectives; synthesizing and communicating to Executives at a high level; and identifying and working with key subject matter experts to deliver impactful results. This position is a key advisor on SPU’s Corporate Policy and Planning (CPP) Division in SPU’s General Manager/CEO’s Office and will play a leadership role supporting the work of the CPP team and subject matter experts across SPU’s water and waste lines of business to advance SPU’s Strategic Business Plan and Community Centered, One Water, Zero Waste vision. The position will cultivate relevant relationships and stay apprised of issue areas, skill sets, and innovate approaches to support the impact of their work.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people, environment, and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.
For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit:

• SPU Workplace Expectations (Download PDF reader)
• 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.

Why join us?
We know work isn't 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:?

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free public transportation options
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Job Responsibilities

This is a dynamic and relationship-oriented role that seeks to transform and improve SPU’s impact and effectiveness across the City and region in large and small ways. Within a broad and emergent array of inter-departmental and key partner relational needs, we will work with you to devise an evolving work plan that fits with SPU’s strategic priorities, emerging issues, as well as your skills and interests. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with subject matter experts across SPU, the City, and external stakeholders to perform their specific job responsibilities which include:

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  Utility related inter-departmental problem solving and coordination. Specific tasks will include, but not be limited to, development of understandings and, as appropriate, MOA’s to foster One-City solutions, broker deals, and resolve key policy and planning coordination issues between SPU and other City Departments; representing SPU interests as part of Interdepartmental teams; and staffing lead and support roles to joint executive teams (JETs) with Transportation, Parks, Fire and City Light.
• Joint project and operational agreements, understandings, and partnerships with King County agencies, regional entities (i.e. UW, PSRC), developers, and other external NGOs and stakeholders that advance utility service delivery, collaborations, and innovations.
• Growth Management Act (GMA) and utility services planning coordination. Specific tasks will include: representing, inter-connecting, and facilitating SPU-wide awareness, interests, and language to City-wide, King County, and Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Comprehensive Growth Management Act (GMA) planning and forecasting; as appropriate, supporting review and input to King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) Clean Water Planning, and Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) Strategic Planning; and understanding, engaging in, and supporting interconnections in internal SPU line of business LOB Comprehensive Planning (including Shape Our Water Plan, Water and Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning), SPU Strategic Business Planning, and external planning efforts.
• External strategic initiatives support. Project manage and/or support emergent policy and coordination priorities from the Mayor’s Office including, but not limited to, major development, land use, or property coordination issues (i.e., Fort Lawton, Seattle Housing Authority, stadiums, I-5 covering, surplus land), Council statements of legislative intent (SLI’s) and budget actions (i.e., Governance SLI, street sinks), and SPU/City emergency response policy and planning coordination support.
• SPU strategic initiatives support. Project manage and/or support priority SPU line of business/divisional strategy and innovation work with cross cutting and external coordination implications or in need of additional staffing support including, but not limited to: DWW Property acquisition strategy, Automated metering systems, Labor pool agreements, property easement/adverse possession, System Development Charge (SDC) implementation, SEEDs of resilience impact investments, etc.
• Other utility business, policy, and planning related work that emerge, that are of interest, and are assigned.

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain the complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change as conditions require.

Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, public administration, economics, political science, planning, social work, or equivalent.
Experience: At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in one or more fields above in government, utility, environmental, non-profit, economic development, or business setting.

Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.

Additional Information

To be successful in this role, a candidate should possess some of the following attributes: (You don’t have to meet all these things, but maybe you sparkle in more than a few areas.)

• 
  Content knowledge or background understanding of City of Seattle inter-departmental dynamics, needs, challenges, differences, and limitations.
• A strong negotiator, persuader, and communicator. Can synthesize and produce a concise public policy brief, term sheet, and issue paper along with an exciting, high-level presentation that addresses shared interest areas and gets partners and policymakers to yes!
• Relationship oriented, personable! Strong relationships builder. Good team player, facilitator, contributor, and collaborator. People enjoy working with you and vice versa.
• Strong project manager and process facilitator. Success at building teams and resolving issues, leading, influencing, and supporting the work of people who do not directly report to you.
• Adaptive and flexible contributor. Poised under pressure. Not afraid to try or of ambiguity. Willing to do the work, fill the gaps, serve in whatever role is needed, and shift with shifting dynamics.
• Trusted advisor. Proven track record of developing and providing strategic advice to senior level management and elected.
• Big picture and systems thinker. Comfortable with big, transformative ideas but also able to drive to and deliver on specific results that advance progress.
• Curious. Interested in new ideas and ways of doing things, asks good questions, respectfully challenges existing practices.
• Analytic chops. Can run the numbers, use quantitative and qualitative data for effective and persuasive decision making. Can understand technical details (i.e. utility systems functioning) or not afraid to ask for help.
• Self-directed, quick learner. Excited about and able to immerse and quickly build new skills and knowledge.
• Committed to equity, sustainability, affordability. Seeks ways to achieve these outcomes in whatever way possible.

Application Requirement(s):

• A full City of Seattle online application
• Resume, & Cover Letter addressing your knowledge and experience, related to this position

City of Seattle COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
All City of Seattle employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Failure to submit proof of vaccination or qualify for a reasonable accommodation will result in withdrawal of a job offer.

Due to the fiduciary nature of the work, job offers are contingent on review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process. In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Workplace Environment/Telework Expectations
This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be required to come into the office twice a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

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.

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.