Ashley Ubil
Ashley Ubil is a Permit Specialist II with over seven years of progressive experience in government permitting, zoning analysis, and regulatory compliance, currently serving at the City of Seattle. In her role, she reviews residential additions and alterations, interprets zoning codes and site plans, and supports applicants through complex permitting processes using GIS mapping and digital tools such as BlueBeam. She is also a key contributor to public-facing support systems, including live chat assistance, helping residents and developers navigate permitting requirements with clarity and accuracy. Her work emphasizes efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in urban development.
Throughout her career, Ashley has built a strong foundation in public sector planning and permitting across multiple jurisdictions, including Whatcom County and Pierce County, where she held roles ranging from Planning Technician to Permit and Development Counter Technician. Earlier in her career, she gained experience in administrative coordination and public service, including work in medical reception, which strengthened her customer service and compliance skills. She also expanded her expertise into applied technology and data science through a contract role as an AI Expert Contributor with Snorkel AI, where she supported energy-related machine learning initiatives and cross-functional collaboration.
Ashley holds a Master of Science in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems from Penn State University, along with a bachelor’s-level academic background in the same field. She is currently participating in the LSAC Plus Guided Journey program through the Law School Admission Council, further developing her pathway toward legal education. Her professional philosophy is grounded in sustainability, public service, and environmental responsibility, drawing a strong connection between her academic training and her daily work in zoning and land-use planning. She is committed to supporting sustainable community growth while improving public understanding of regulatory systems.
• Solar graduate certificate
• Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences
• Customer Service Foundations
• Penn State University - MS
• Penn State Alumni Association
• World Wildlife Committee
• Local humane societies
What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, my family and friends really pushed me to continue my path, even if I was a little unsure of my next step, or if I was having a really hard time getting things done. I have a really big support system between my family and friends, and that helps me stay motivated and stay focused, even at times when I wanted to give up. They've been there for me throughout my entire journey, supporting me through 7 years of school while working full-time, and they continue to encourage me in my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Keep applying even if you don't feel qualified. Sometimes the qualifications are... sometimes your story will override the qualifications, so don't be afraid to apply for something if you don't think you're quite enough qualified. I've learned that even when you feel like you might not meet every requirement on paper, your unique experience and perspective can be exactly what they're looking for.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay confident. As a woman, it's challenging to interact with some of the people that have been in the construction industry for a long time. The construction industry is male-dominated and can be challenging, so stand your ground and have trust in your own knowledge. Don't let anyone make you doubt what you know or what you're capable of. It's important to maintain that confidence even when you're in situations where you might be the only woman in the room or dealing with people who have been in the industry for decades.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The economy is a very big challenge right now. It's really hard for people to build, so we've had issues throughout the city right now with employment. The state of the economy is very influential on our business, or our agency I guess. It can really impact layoffs and things like that, so we really have to look at the economic sides of things to kind of project what our next permitting numbers are going to be. I think they laid off like 40 land use planners last year due to that. It's just something that we really have to focus on and ensure that we have enough work coming in. It's not something we can really control internally, but it's something we have to adapt to very quickly.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, direct communication, and trust. I feel like that goes for work and personal, just because I speak to applicants and the public all the time, and they're trusting me to go over their permit. They're trusting me to approve their project that they have had in their mind. So it's a trust between the public members and the government staff, and that has to be built in a positive way, because that could go to the mayor or council and we could get in trouble. I think it's really important to establish a sense of community between the public and government staff, because a lot of times we're not looked at in the best light, being a government agency. Establishing that communication and relationship with the public is super important.
Locations
City of Seattle
Kirkland, WA 98034