Equitable Contracting Advisor (Strategic Advisor 1- General Government)

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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!

Position Overview:
SDOT is seeking an Equitable Contracting Advisor (under the City's classification title of Strategic Advisor 1- General Government) to coordinate and lead SDOT's Contracting Equity portfolio that seeks to expand SDOT’s equitable use of public dollars. This includes oversight of the Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) program that looks to increase SDOT's WMBE utilization in consulting, construction contracting and purchasing. This portfolio will align with the contracting equity tactics highlighted in the Transportation Equity Framework (TEF). This position is in the Office of Equity and Economic Inclusion (OEEI) and will report to the OEEI Compliance Manager.

• Act as a project manager over vision, design, development, and implementation of contracting equity projects involving considerable scope, complexity, and long-term commitments. 
• Serve primarily as department strategic advisor for contracting equity strategies and tactics. 
• Be a thought partner to divisions on creating metrics and implementation. 
• Collaborate and connect with SDOT divisions, City departments, Mayor's Office, and external public agencies and community stakeholders. 
• Create strategies to attain WMBE Departmental contract goals and support Citywide WMBE goals. 
• Advise leadership regarding improving SDOT’s strategies to increase contracting equity efforts alongside the TEF tactics. This includes efforts to reach WMBE goals and ensure equitable access for WMBE consultants and contractors. 
• Master TEF tactics that directly and indirectly involve contracting equity. 
• Collaboratively create and execute department wide strategies and metrics to ensure progress. 
• Train SDOT staff on contracting equity purpose, best practices, policies, and tactics.
• Support Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) programs and inclusion for federally funded contracts.
• Manage WMBE and small business concerns and escalations with tact.
• Lead SDOT’s implementation of WMBE program changes following the recommendations of the City of Seattle's Disparity Study.
• Manage SDOT’s subconsultant payment reporting process and system.
• Support SDOT goals in promoting diversity and social justice.

Successful candidates will possess many of these qualifications or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and expertise:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field. 
• Three (3) or more years of experience with program planning and management. 

OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Experience working effectively with people of color in diverse communities. 
• Inclination to learn and apply WMBE contracting rules, regulations, and best practices. 
• Creativity in developing new initiatives and metrics related to contracting equity. 
• Experience with training and providing program leadership. 
• Ability to express complex and sensitive ideas, both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to analyze and define program problems, present recommendations for policies and procedures and identifying alternative solutions. 
• Work well in a team environment, manage workload with changing priorities, and develop consensus with various work groups. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment with hybrid options at this time.
• Occasional offsite meetings and field visits may be required.
• May require overnight travel, working nights, and weekends to attend public meetings/community events.

Please attach both a cover letter and resume to your application.

Failure to do so will result in your application not being considered.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including background check.
 
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.

The full salary range for this position is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour.

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.

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.