Members sought for Seattle’s Design Review Boards

-Shape new buildings in your community.

Passionate about design or architecture? Mayor Bruce Harrell is looking for qualified candidates to fill 21 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, 2025.

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

• Business or landscape design profession representative

Downtown Board

• Development profession representative
• Local residential representative

East Board

• Business or landscape design profession representative
• Design profession representative
• Development profession representative
• Local community representative
• Local residential representative

Northeast Board

• Local community representative
• Local residential representative

Northwest Board

• Business or landscape design profession representative
• Design profession representative

Southeast Board

• Design profession representative
• Local residential representative

Southwest Board

• Business or landscape design profession representative
• Design profession representative
• Local residential representative

West Board

• Business or landscape design profession representative
• Design profession representative
• Development profession representative
• Local residential representative

Email [email protected] to receive a copy of our application or download it from our website.

To be considered for appointment, please send a completed application, cover letter, and resume by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024to Erika Ikstrums at [email protected].

Emailing your application is preferred, but If emailing is not an option, mail your application to:

Erika Ikstrums, Design Review Program
City of Seattle
Department of Construction and Inspections
700 - 5^th 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 urban design and community development
• The ability to work well with others under pressure (prior experience with community or neighborhood groups is a plus)

Board members should anticipate spending roughly 15 hours a month attending and preparing for two evening board meetings a month. Board meetings have transitioned to an online platform and board members are expected to attend at least 90 percent of them.

For more information on the Design Review Board and the City's Design Review Program.

For other information, please contact Design Review Program Manager Shelley Bolser via email [email protected] or call 206-733-9067.

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