Do you enjoy helping organizations make people-centered policy decisions based on community, financial, and environmental factors?
Seattle Public Utilities’ Customer Review Panel (CRP) seeks two young adult members (ages 18–29) for appointment. CRP members advise SPU leadership and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the utility’s Strategic Business Plan and rates, including topics related to drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and solid waste services. Members bring community expertise and lived experience to help SPU make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We especially welcome candidates who can partner with us on our City values, including racial and social justice.
SPU’s Strategic Business Plan (SBP) focuses the Utility’s work to better meet the needs of our customers and communities. It provides a predictable three-year rate path with projections for the subsequent three years. SPU updates the plan and adopted rate path on a three-year cycle to allow for future uncertainties and adjustments.
Time Commitment
CRP members are appointed to a 3-year term (2025-2028). Members attend CRP meetings, occasional workgroup sessions, and related events.
- Cadence: Quarterly meetings (3–4 hours) in typical years; monthly meetings may occur during SBP development phases
- Stipend: SPU offers an annual stipend to reduce barriers to participation
Who Should Apply
We actively seek a diverse candidate pool to help inform SPU’s work and vision to become a community-centered, zero-waste utility. Ideal candidates:
- Are ages 18–29 and live, work, or study in Seattle or the SPU service area (PDF)
- Represent neighborhoods that have experienced displacement or discriminatory policies and/or have lived experience being targeted by racially discriminatory practices
- Care about clean water, safe neighborhoods, waste prevention, climate resilience, affordability, and equity
- No prior utility experience is required; training and orientation are provided
Panel Member Duties
- Elevate the voices and needs of communities historically marginalized in SPU processes
- Review SPU’s Strategic Business Plan materials and rate path options; provide feedback before key decisions
- Bring a community-centered lens and participate in a feedback loop between SPU customers and the Utility
- Join quarterly CRP meetings and occasional orientations or site visits; during SBP development, participate in monthly sessions as needed
Key Dates
- Applications open: October 15
- Info session: October 29 at noon on Microsoft Teams (RSVP here for info session)
- Applications close: November 19
- Interviews: Late November through mid-December
How to Apply
- Complete the online application
- Application deadline: November 19
Language Access and Accessibility
Request interpretation, translation, disability accommodations, or other supports by emailing Justin.Chan@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6171. We honor requests as quickly as possible.
About Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) provides essential drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and solid waste services to more than 1.6 million people in the greater Seattle area. About 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.
Questions
Contact Justin Chan at Justin.Chan@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6171.
The Customer Review Panel (CRP) of Seattle Public Utilities seeks new members
CRP members advise SPU leadership and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the utility’s strategic business plan and rates, including topics related to drinking water, solid waste, and sewer services. CRP members bring community expertise and different professional and life experiences to ensure SPU can make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. SPU is especially interested in members who can actively partner to on our commitments to our City Values, including racial and social justice. CRP members serve three-year terms.
SPU’s Strategic Business Plan helps focus the Utility’s work to better meet the needs of our customers and communities. It also provides our customers with a predictable three-year rate path and projections for the subsequent three years. We update the plan and adopted rate path on a three-year cycle to allow for future uncertainties and adjustments.
Time Commitment
Panel members are appointed to serve a three-year term. Members are expected to attend Customer Review Panel meetings, workgroup meetings, and other CRP planned events. Meetings occur quarterly and are 2-3 hours. Monthly meetings are held during Strategic Business Plan development years.
Stipends
SPU is offering nominal stipends for individuals participating in CRP to reduce barriers for participation. Stipends are intended to honor volunteer time, lived experience, and expertise members bring to CRP. Persons from Black, Indigenous, Communities of Color, Immigrant & Refugee communities and low-income backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
We actively seek a diverse candidate pool to help inform SPU on its work and vision to become a community-centered utility.
Those interested in applying should:
- Represent neighborhoods that have experienced significant displacement and discriminatory policies or practices
- Have lived experience being targeted by racially discriminatory policies and practices
- Have interest in SPU’s mission to become a community-centered utility focused on clean water and zero waste
- Have connections to and love for Seattle communities.
Panel members meet quarterly (monthly during business plan updates) & duties include:
- Elevating the voices and needs of communities that have historically been marginalized within the City’s political process
- Reviewing SPU’s Strategic Business Plan and rate path
- Developing anti-racist policies and practices to better help the City eliminate institutional and systemic racism
- Bringing a community-centered lens and experience to the CRP, participating in a feedback cycle between SPU customers and the Utility
- Participating in quarterly meetings as well as additional training and field trip opportunities.
More information on the Customer Review Panel page.
To apply:
Complete an online application.
Send an email to SPU_CorpPolicy@seattle.gov with your application materials or statement of interest.
Contact Contact SPU_CorpPolicy@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6171 with questions.