Members Sought For Seattle’s Design Review Boards

SEATTLE – Passion for design or architecture? Mayor Jenny Durkan is seeking qualified candidates for 14 upcoming positions on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. The board members evaluate the design of new buildings on the basis of city and district-specific design guidelines. The committees examine large mixed-use estates, apartment buildings and commercial projects. The honorary positions begin on April 4, 2022, when the terms of office of the departing board members expire.

Ideal candidates are design and development professionals with proven skills and established careers. We are also looking for community and business leaders who are interested in civic engagement and shaping new developments in their neighborhood. The city of Seattle encourages applicants from different backgrounds and with different life experiences. Applications are accepted for the following board positions:

Central divisional board

– Local resident / community representative

– Representatives of the design profession

– Representatives of the development professions

Inner city board

– Professional representatives for business or landscape designers

– Representatives of the design profession

– Representatives of the local community

East panel

– Local resident / community representative

Northeast Board

– Representatives of the design profession

Northwest plate

– Local resident / community representative

Southeast plate

– Professional representatives for business or landscape designers

– Local resident / community representative

Southwest panel

– Representatives of the development professions

– Local resident / community representative

West Board

– Local resident / community representative

In order to be considered for an appointment, please send your application, cover letter and curriculum vitae by December 15, 2021 to Erika Ikstrums at erika.ikstrums@seattle.gov.

You can download an application or email it to erika.ikstrums@seattle.gov for a copy.

Applications by email are preferred, as electronic documents facilitate the exchange of files between the selection committees. If email is not available, applicants can send their applications by US mail to the following address:

Erika Ikstrums, Design Review Program
City of Seattle
Construction and inspection department
700 – 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, Washington 98124-4019

Applicants should have:

• Knowledge of or interest in architecture, urban planning and the development process
• The ability to evaluate projects according to the city’s design guidelines
• The ability to listen and communicate effectively at public gatherings
• A passion for design and community development, and
• The ability to work well with others under pressure (previous experience with community or neighborhood groups is an asset)

Board members should expect to work around 15 hours a month to attend board meetings that take place twice a month in the evenings. Board members are expected to attend at least 90 percent of the meetings. During COVID, the board meetings were switched to an online platform.

For more information on the city’s Design Review Board and Design Review Program, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/aboutus/whoweare/designreview/program/default.htm

For more information, please contact Lisa Rutzick, Design Review Program Manager at 206-386-9049 or email lisa.rutzick@seattle.gov.

Members Sought For Seattle’s Design Review Boards