Salary : $114,004.80 - $171,069.84 Annually
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time
Job Number: 2025-00645
Department: Seattle Public Utilities
Division: People, Culture & Community
Opening Date: 06/17/2025
Closing Date: 7/1/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position DescriptionSeattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an Employee Engagement Advisor (SA 2) to design and execute strategic workforce initiatives for 1,400+ employees delivering essential services to Seattle and 1.5 million regional customers.
This isn't just an HR role-it's a chance to shape how public service organizations create thriving, inclusive workplaces that attract top talent and deliver exceptional community impact.
As a culture strategist with deep understanding of how people, systems, and purpose drive organizational performance, you'll serve as a cross-functional connector and strategic advisor, building alignment between SPU's Strategic Business Plan, culture, and people strategies. You're a relationship-builder who values equity and inclusion, leading initiatives across the employee lifecycle-onboarding/offboarding, workforce development, retention, communications, and culture-to create a unified employee value proposition and foster a high-performance, inclusive workplace.
This position requires a skilled communicator who connects people to purpose and a data-informed decision-maker who blends creativity with systems thinking to turn insights into action.
About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU's work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.
For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:
SPU commits to and 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. 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- Culture and Strategic Alignment: You will define and amplify the employee value proposition (EVP), aligning it with SPU's mission and core values to ensure a consistent, inspiring employee experience. You'll collaborate with executive leadership to build a shared culture that reflects strategic priorities and connects individual purpose to public service.
- Integrated Talent & Workforce Development Strategy: Partner with Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development teams to ensure recruitment, onboarding, and workforce development reflect our values and support strategic goals. Promote job design and work models that enhance engagement, flexibility, and productivity-supporting both operational efficiency and workforce well-being.
- Departmental Listening & Responsiveness: Collaborate to design and implement employee surveys, pulse checks, and feedback loops to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Ensure that actionable insights are communicated clearly and expeditiously to the right stakeholders, with accountability for follow-up and improvement.
- Strategic Communications & Experience Design: Develop and execute internal communication strategies-across digital, print, face-to-face, and experiential channels-that foster alignment, transparency, and community. Bring values to life through storytelling campaigns, recognition programs, and immersive employee experiences that reflect SPU's identity.
- Learning, Growth & Innovation: Collaborate to connect learning platforms and development pathways to an overarching organizational development strategy that prepares employees for change, innovation, and impact. Foster collaboration across the department to promote continuous learning and improvement across the workforce.
- Belonging, Equity & Community: Collaborate to foster a culture of inclusion and warmth through employee resource groups, cultural events, and service opportunities that celebrate diversity and build relationships. Work to advance equitable policies and engagement practices.
- Recognition & Motivation: Design and manage recognition programs that honor employee achievements and contributions in ways that reinforce SPU's values and both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Support development of reward strategies that are inclusive, transparent, and aligned with workforce engagement objectives.
- Technology, Analytics & Accountability: Use technology platforms to enhance connectivity, streamline communications, and scale engagement strategies across the utility. Leverage data, dashboards, and other analytics to drive decision-making.
Key Projects You'll Lead:- Department-Wide Engagement Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year employee engagement roadmap that aligns strategic workforce initiatives with culture transformation goals, creating measurable impact across all SPU divisions.
- Onboarding & Offboarding Transformation: Redesign employee transition processes to create meaningful, modernized experiences that foster inclusion, build connections, and accelerate learning from day one through departure.
- Employee Engagement Survey & Analytics: Lead the complete lifecycle of SPU's employee engagement survey-from design and administration to action planning and implementation-including ongoing pulse checks that drive continuous improvement.
- Recognition Program Development: Partner with the Employee Recognition Committee to build and launch an inclusive recognition strategy that celebrates achievements, reinforces departmental values, and motivates employees through both meaningful acknowledgment and tangible rewards.
- Employee Experience Dashboard: Collaborate with Workday and analytics teams to create a dynamic, real-time dashboard that provides actionable insights for decision-making while promoting transparency in workforce equity metrics and engagement trends.
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. QualificationsEducation: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: Five years of progressive experience in employee engagement, organizational development, human resources, or communications, with proven success designing and implementing comprehensive engagement strategies that integrate organizational systems, people management, and culture transformation. Hands-on experience with employee survey tools, digital communications platforms, and analytics dashboards to measure organizational effectiveness. Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to lead groups, drive consensus, and manage relationships across all organizational levels.
Desired Qualification:- Experience: Professional experience in unionized or public sector environments, cross-functional team leadership and matrix organization experience, change management or organizational transformation projects, and budget management for employee programs are highly valued.
- Technical Skills: Experience with survey platforms such as Qualtrics, Culture Amp, or SurveyMonkey, HRIS systems like Workday or SAP SuccessFactors, data visualization tools including Tableau or Power BI, and learning management systems (LMS) is preferred.
- Specialized Knowledge: Strong experience in DEI strategy implementation, labor relations and collective bargaining, human capital reporting frameworks, and public sector procurement processes.
- Demonstrated Results: Track record of improved employee engagement scores, successful employee program launches, reduced turnover/improved retention, and multi-level stakeholder management.
- Professional Development: HR certifications, change management training, or project management credentials (SHRM-CP, PROSCI, HRCI, ATD) are preferred but not required.
We Value: Diverse perspectives and life experiences, cultural competency and commitment to equity, ability to work effectively across different communities, and experience supporting underrepresented groups in workplace settings.
Additional InformationWorkplace Schedule/Environment:- Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3 days/week in-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.
- Work is performed both in an office environment and in a public setting.
- Collaborative, inclusive team environment
Application Requirement(s):- A complete NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application
- Supplemental questionnaire responses
- Attached Resume & Cover Letter describing your skills and experience in relation to this position.
~Candidates submitting an incomplete Application Packages will NOT be considered~The salary range for this position is $114,004.80 - $171,069.84 annually
This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records incompliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SME 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
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:
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 Erika Monroe at
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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:
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate's degree
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Communications, or related field
- Master's degree or higher
02
How many years of progressive experience do you have in employee engagement, organizational development, human resources, or communications?
- Less than 2 years
- 2-4 years
- 5-7 years
- 8 or more years
03
Do you have hands-on experience with employee survey tools (such as Glint, Culture Amp, or Qualtrics), digital communications platforms (such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or intranet systems), and analytics dashboards (such as Workday, Tableau, Power BI, or HR analytics platforms)?
- Yes, I am proficient with all three types of tools
- Yes, I have experience with 2 out of 3 tool types
- Yes, I have experience with 1 out of 3 tool types
- No, I do not have experience with these tools
04
Have you successfully designed and implemented comprehensive engagement strategies that integrate organizational systems, people management, and culture transformation?
- Yes, I have extensive experience designing and implementing such strategies
- Yes, I have some experience with engagement strategy implementation
- I have assisted with engagement strategies but not led implementation
- No, I do not have this experience
05
To be considered for this position, you must submit: 1. A completed online application 2. Your resume 3. A cover letter 4. Responses to all supplemental questions Applications missing any of these required documents will not be considered. Have you included all required documents with your application?
Required Question
