The Bellevue Transportation Department is America Public Works Association-Accredited with a professional staff that aspires to our vision of “Keeping Bellevue Moving Forward.” With services in planning, operations, review, design, construction, and maintenance, we work with our regional partners to provide a safe multi-modal transportation system for those who live, work, and play in Bellevue.

The City of Bellevue Transportation Department is seeking a motivated leader to fill our Right of Way Manager position. The Right of Way Manager provides direction and leadership to the Right of Way Division, which is responsible for reviewing, permitting, and inspecting development and construction projects and other street uses in the public right of way.  

The Right of Way Manager leads a team of four engineers and three engineering technicians who perform transportation engineering plan review functions for our multi-modal transportation system to ensure Bellevue codes and standards are met. The Right of Way Manager also provides general supervision to the Right of Way Inspection Supervisor, who leads a team of ten Right of Way inspectors. The Right of Way staff engage with private developers, their engineering consultants, and other work groups and departments within the City of Bellevue and other agencies for right of way permit review/ inspection and decision-making of proposed transportation infrastructure. 

The Right of Way Manager provides direction and leadership to staff and oversees projects, budgets, and contracts for the division.  This key position also serves as a community liaison, provides complex management and decision-making, makes presentations to Council and internal/external stakeholder groups, and facilitates the resolution of issues with contractors, businesses and other agencies.  The Right of Way Division is responsible for the permitting of public street use activities such neighborhood block parties and special events.  

Reporting to the Assistant Transportation Director of Mobility Services, the Right of Way Manager will serve on the Assistant Director’s Management Team and provide oversight and guidance in the administration of right of way and construction permits.  The Right of Way Manager also serves on the Development Services Management teams, comprised of the managers for Land Use, Building, Business Services, Fire, and Utilities Engineering to ensure a coordinated approach to permit review and inspection in Bellevue.

The City of Bellevue is a dynamic, multicultural, future-focused, high performing City.  We offer a robust benefits package, an eco-friendly work environment, and state-of-the-art technology. The city invests in its employees and encourages and rewards employee growth and development.   Bellevue is noted for its diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a team of four engineers and three engineering technicians, including developing division goals and objectives, ensuring staff have appropriate project understanding, providing technical review support on projects, and providing policy direction and guidance to staff. 
• Manage the inspection section including directly supervising the Inspection Supervisor.

• Select, hire, coach, and counsel staff and make other personnel decisions; prepare and deliver performance evaluations.
• Provide policy direction and guidance to staff and determine staffing needs; provide mentoring and development opportunities for staff. Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale.

• Oversee the review of right of way permit proposals to assure compliance with City policy, procedures, and codes. This includes establishing goals for right of way review, determining standards for work quality control within the Right of Way division, making initial assessments of projects for scope and priority as well as legal and financial ramifications, and coordinating with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies.
• Establish policies and standards. This includes identifying issues that require policy direction; conducting research, review, and preparation of policy, including the preparation of materials to make presentations to the City council; coordinating with the City Attorney’s office, other City departments, and other jurisdictions.
• Assign permits to staff, oversee and monitor workload and project schedules, review team communications, and monitor performance. 
• Serve as technical advisor to the Transportation Department and other departments regarding right-of-way policies and procedures.
• Prepare agenda memos and presentations for the City Council; present to other stakeholder groups in a clear, understandable way.  
• Communicate with developers, contractors, and the public regarding right of way use policies, permit conditions, and inspection/traffic control related issues.  

• Resolve politically sensitive issues and disputes in a proactive and timely manner.

• Ensure staff provide expertise and guidance regarding project impacts, including staging areas, order of work, night work, noise, truck hauling, parking, detours and road/lane closures, sidewalk closures, and traffic delays.
• Coordinate with the Franchise Utilities Manager to ensure the review and inspection of franchise utilities permits with telecommunication providers and private utility companies align with Right of Way Use Agreements. Coordinate with the Franchise Utilities Manager on the small wireless facilities (SWF) program.  
• Provide staffing to and direction for the city’s “special events” committee for the planning and implementation of special events in street rights of way.
• Oversee the maintenance and update of the city’s Right of Way Code.
• Oversee the permitting and leases associated with the sidewalk café and on-street dining programs.
• Perform monthly operating budget monitoring and revenue projections from Right of Way Use agreements and leases.  Perform quarterly workload projections for all permit/inspection revenue supported positions. Participate in the budget process including proposing and justifying staff positions to meet division and city objectives.
• Participate in the Development Services line of business planning and operational process improvement work to maximize efficiency and effectiveness across multiple divisions and departments. 
• Serve on the Permit Services Management Committee (PSMC) to ensure quality of permit and review services and effective use of resources.
• Serve on the Mobility Management leadership team with Assistant Directors and peer managers to ensure effective and informed decision making and communication on Mobility Management, Development Services, and Transportation Department issues.
• Represent the department and act as a spokesperson on various committees, before the public, elected officials, and commissions. 

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Works under the general supervision of the Transportation Department Assistant Director of Mobility Services.

• Exercises supervision over professional and technical staff including engineers, technicians, and inspectors.  

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. A degree in a closely related technical field may be considered.
• Eight or more years progressively responsible experience in public works with relevant transportation or traffic experience preferred.
• Experience supervising employees or leading individuals or teams. Two or more years of supervising experience preferred. 
• Any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.
• Washington State Professional Civil Engineering license preferred but not required.
• Washington State Driver’s License required or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of applicable City, State, and Federal policies, laws, codes, and regulations affecting transportation and development activities. 
• Thorough knowledge of transportation engineering practices, principles, and methods as applicable to a municipal setting.
• Considerable knowledge of transportation operations, construction practices, and methods.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable city policies, laws, and regulations affecting department activities.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate technical information in non-technical, understandable ways.
• Ability to present technical information clearly and accurately to elected officials and the media.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with employees, other business units and departments, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers and maintain productive working relationships.
• Ability to plan, organize, and monitor the work and activities of self and direct reports.
• Ability to plan, organize, and monitor activities according to priorities, established schedules, and deadlines.

• Ability to provide leadership, coaching, motivation, and constructive performance reviews to staff members, securing their respective commitments to the department’s goals.
• Ability to take general direction from assistant director or director and implement that direction through division resources.
• Ability to use a computer and effectively navigate Microsoft Office Suite and engineering applications software in performing essential duties.
• Ability to use sound judgement under stressful situations. Ability to problem solve and resolve conflicts with a wide variety of stakeholders, make defensible decisions, and develop recommendations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Work involves walking; talking; hearing; using hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reaching with hands and arms. 
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 40 pounds.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet in the office and moderately loud in the field.

This is a full-time, non-union, exempt position. It requires both office and occasional field work and occasional public meetings outside of normal work hours, such as evenings.

FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.