-Shape new buildings in your community
Passionate about design or architecture? Mayor Jenny Durkan is looking for qualified candidates to fill 14 upcoming openings on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. Board members evaluate the design of new buildings based on citywide and neighborhood-specific design guidelines. The boards review large mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects. The volunteer positions will start on April 4, 2022, when retiring board members’ terms expire.
Ideal candidates are professionals in the design and development fields who have proven skills and established careers. We are also seeking community and business leaders interested in civic engagement and shaping new development in their neighborhoods. The City of Seattle encourages applicants from all backgrounds and those with diverse life experiences. Applications will be accepted for the following board positions:
Central Area Board
- Local residential/community representative
- Design profession representative
- Development profession representative
Downtown Board
- Business or landscape design profession representative
- Design profession representative
- Local residential/community representative
East Board
- Local residential/community representative
Northeast Board
- Design profession representative
Northwest Board
- Local residential/community representative
Southeast Board
- Business or landscape design profession representative
- Local residential/community representative
Southwest Board
- Development profession representative
- Local residential/community representative
West Board
- Local residential/community representative
To be considered for appointment, please send an application, cover letter, and resume by December 15, 2021, to Erika Ikstrums at erika.ikstrums@seattle.gov.
You may download an application or email erika.ikstrums@seattle.gov to receive a copy.
We prefer emailed applications, as electronic documents facilitate file sharing among the selection committee. If emailing is not an option, applicants can send their applications via U.S. mail to:
Erika Ikstrums, Design Review Program
City of Seattle
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
700 – 5th Ave, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, Washington 98124-4019
Applicants should have:
- Knowledge of, or interest in, architecture, urban design, and the development process
- The ability to evaluate projects based on the city’s design guidelines
- The ability to listen and communicate effectively at public meetings
- A passion for design and community development, and
- The ability to work well with others under pressure (prior experience with community or neighborhood groups is a plus)
Board members should expect to work approximately 15 hours a month attending and preparing for board meetings, which are held twice a month in the evenings. Board members are expected to attend at least 90 percent of the meetings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Board meetings have transitioned to an online platform.
Visit our Design Review webpage for more information on the Design Review Board and the City’s Design Review Program.
For other information, please contact:
Lisa Rutzick, Design Review Program Manager
(206) 386-9049
lisa.rutzick@seattle.gov