2026 Youth Ambassador Applications are opening soon!
Are you between the ages of 15 - 18 and looking to make the most of your summer? SDOT’s Youth Ambassador program might be for you! This paid learning opportunity is a chance to explore exciting careers in transportation, gain real-world skills, and make a difference in your community.
About the Program
Through the Youth Ambassador Program, participants will get the opportunity to meet professionals from different careers in transportation (planning, engineering, communications, and others), build professional skills through resume and mock interview workshops, and learn about social advocacy.
Program Details
- Dates: August 4 – August 27, 2026
- Schedule: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM – 3 PM
- Location: Seattle Municipal Tower – 700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
- Eligibility: Applicants ages 15 - 18 who live or study in Seattle. Experience or previous knowledge of transportation related issues is not required.
- Program Capacity: The program can admit 15 youth ambassadors.
- Cost: There is no cost to apply or participate in the program.
- Stipend: Participants will receive $600 at the end of the program. Selected participants will be asked to complete a tax form so they can receive the stipend at the end of the program.
Application Process: There will be a digital application that will go live on Wednesday, May 26th and close at 11:59 PM PST on June 16th. The application takes approximately 15 – 30 minutes to complete. Selected participants who are under 18 will also need to complete a parental consent form and a photo release form upon their admission to the program. These forms will be shared with participants who are admitted to the program.
What will I do as a Youth Ambassador?
- Provide youth with hands-on job shadowing and networking experience with a variety of people working in transportation. Youth will learn how varied the field of transportation is and hear directly from SDOT staff about their journeys to their current jobs.
- Provide youth with an opportunity to develop a variety of different skills related to transportation work such as service planning, transit agency coordination, etc.
- Empower youth to learn about and practice advocacy, mobility justice, and equity with a transportation lens.
- Provide an opportunity for SDOT to further learn about youth's experiences and challenges with transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I do as a Youth Ambassador?
- Go on weekly field trips: Visit SDOT facilities, meet industry experts, and learn from transit professionals
- Build professional skills: Participate in workshops and professional-skill building activities such as learning how to network, craft resumes, and succeed in job interviews
- Job shadow experts: Explore careers in Transportation planning, engineering, communications, and more
Will I need any materials to participate?
Participants don’t need to bring any materials to participate in the program. However, a complete application and admission into the program is required to participate in the program. Notebooks and pens will be provided to program participants. Transit passes will not be required for participants in this program since youth ages 18 and under ride for free.
Will food be provided?
Snacks and light refreshments will be provided daily. Participants should expect to bring lunch on most days. Some meals will be provided. A schedule of when meals will be provided will be shared with the selected participants closer to the start of the program. We encourage program participants to bring their own water bottles.
Is drop-in participation allowed or do I have to apply?
Only people who apply will be considered for the program. Drop-in participation is not allowed.
Will my parent/guardian need to sign a permission form if I’m under 18?
Parents or guardians of program participants under 18 will have to sign a consent form. This form will be shared with participants once they have been admitted to the program.
Is language access provided?
Yes, SDOT will provide language interpretation support if requested in the application form. We do not want language to be a barrier for anyone who is interested in participating in the program.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, SDOT allows service animals in the Seattle Municipal Tower (SMT). All other animals are not allowed.
Who are the instructors and facilitators?
The Youth Ambassador Program is facilitated by SDOT staff from the Transportation Access Program team. This year’s program is organized by Liliya Shtikel (Transportation Access Program Manager, Out of Class) and Carolina Hohl (Transportation Access Program Intern). Guest speakers and industry experts for the Youth Ambassador Program will be confirmed closer to the start of the program.
How do I get to the Seattle Municipal Tower (SMT)?
All the event activities will begin at the Seattle Municipal Tower which can be accessed by several bus routes and the Pioneer Square Link Station. We suggest using Google Maps or One Bus Away to plan your trip to SMT.
Background and History
In 2019, we launched the Youth Transportation Ambassadors Program. This program is funded by the Seattle Transit Measure. Through this program, we partnered with two community-based organizations (CBOs) to teach youth leaders about public transit options, and to help youth become transit ambassadors in their community.
In 2022, we partnered with the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to launch the Youth Ambassador Program as part of SYEP’s Learn and Earn: Career Pathways track.
In 2023, we decided to reevaluate the structure of the Youth Ambassador program and paused it for 2024.
In 2025, we held the Youth Ambassador Program again to empower youth to learn more about how programs are developed at the City.