Departmental Relations and Strategic Initiatives Advisor (StratAdvsr2,General Govt BU-P) at City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

Are you an effective problem solver who enjoys the challenge of new topics, intractable issues, and differing perspectives?  Want to build strong relationships and negotiate lasting One-Seattle solutions and partnerships across City departments and stakeholders?

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for a Departmental Relations and Strategic Initiatives Advisor. As an Advisor you will advance long-term strategies and resolve critically emergent issues that require both independent initiative and effective collaboration across all SPU branches, a variety of City Departments, and a complex network of regional partners, elected officials, utilities, and policy stakeholders navigating the pressures of population growth, climate adaptation, infrastructure renewal, and equity.   

If you feel this may be the perfect job for you, please continue reading …and APPLY!

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): 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. 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 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.

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: 

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

Position Duties

This is a relationships and policy role that seeks to transform and improve SPU’s impact and effectiveness across the City and region in large and small ways. This position shapes and delivers an evolving work plan responsive to both SPU’s strategic priorities and emergent One Seattle opportunities. It requires balancing day-to-day responsiveness with long-term planning and shaping systems and change management approaches that support infrastructure delivery, policy innovation, and interdepartmental accountability.

• Negotiated deal making, problem solving and coordination, including rapidly developing strategic and sustainable agreements to foster One-City solutions, and resolving long-standing policy and planning coordination issues between SPU and other City Departments and agencies; representing and articulating SPU interests in both lead and support roles as part of inter-departmental teams and facilitating Joint Executive Team (JET) agenda setting and issue resolution between SPU and the Departments of Transportation, Parks, Fire, City Light, and Arts and Culture. You’ll act as a citywide connector and trusted policy strategist, helping SPU navigate shared governance, land use pressures, community needs, and multi-jurisdictional infrastructure realities.
• Developing joint project and operational agreements, understandings, and partnerships with King County agencies, regional entities, developers, NGOs and other external stakeholders that advance utility service delivery, collaborations, and innovations.  
• External strategic initiatives, policy and analytic support.  Project manage and/or support emergent policy and coordination priorities from the Mayor’s Office, City Council or external partners including, but not limited to, City-wide initiatives, emergencies, major developments, land use, or property coordination issues, contracts, agreements and joint investment opportunities. 

• SPU-wide strategic initiatives, policy development, and internal coordination.  Project manage and/or support priorities for SPU line of business/divisional strategy and innovation work, that are in need of cross cutting and external coordination implications or strong policy, analytical and deal-making support such as developing transparency in permitting, ratepayer-facing policy, annexation coordination, frontline staff safety and wellbeing utility data dashboards, leak adjustment policy, responding to the pressures of growth and development, annexation coordination, and frontline staff safety

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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

AND

Education:  A Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, public administration, economics, political science, planning, social work, or equivalent experience will be considered. 

OR

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

Work Environment/Physical Demands: 

• Work is usually performed in an office environment.

• This is a hybrid position and must be in office 3 days a week

Desired Qualifications:

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 bring strength in more than a few areas.) 
 

• Content knowledge or background understanding of City of Seattle or inter-departmental negotiations dynamics, needs, challenges, differences, and limitations. 
• Have a growth mindset.  Excited and challenged by new problems and the dynamics of not knowing and learning as you go. Understands the need for independent decision making while keeping leadership informed and strategically checking in. 
• A strong negotiator, persuader, and communicator. Can synthesize and produce a concise public policy brief, term sheet, and issue paper and build high-level presentations that get partners and policymakers to yes! Skilled at providing decision makers with an assessment of options and alternatives including ones you might not agree with.
• Results oriented, relationship builder.  Works at a fast pace balancing results with strong stakeholder relationships building.  Good team player, facilitator, contributor, and collaborator.  Skilled at working with diverse populations and audiences.
• Proven experience working for elected officials and executives. 
• Strong project and matrix manager. Success at managing and resolving complex issues.  Able to lead, influence, and support the work of people who do not directly report to you. 
• Adaptive and flexible contributor. Poised under pressure. 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 officials. 
• Comfortable with big, transformative ideas, systems thinking, change management and 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.  
• Can run the numbers, use quantitative and qualitative data for effective and persuasive decision making. Some skill at understanding technical details (i.e. utility systems functioning) and not afraid to ask for help.
• Self-directed, quick learner. Able to immerse and quickly build new skills and knowledge. 
• Strong interest in advancing SPU’s vision, mission, and values.  Can provide direct, indirect or even unique experience that can grow SPU’s perspectives and strengthen our work. 

Other Qualifications

How to Apply:

• Submit complete City of Seattle online application
• Upload your current resume, AND
• Include a cover letter that addresses your knowledge, experience, and interest related to this position

*** You must submit both a resume and cover letter. If you do not submit these documents, your application will not be considered. Please ensure that BOTH documents have successfully been uploaded before submitting your application. ***

The full salary range for this position is $54.60 - $81.93 per hour.

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 City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

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.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Muzzin at [email protected]

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.