Community Brief
King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission *Now Recruiting
The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission (IRC), is currently recruiting to fill 3 vacant positions. The IRC was created in 2018 by Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council and is committed to integrating, strengthening, and valuing immigrant and refugee communities, upholding the County’s commitment as a welcoming community. The Commission works to achieve fair and equitable access to County services for immigrant and refugee residents, improve opportunities for civic engagement, set annual goals, and participate in important dialogue on County policies and practices that impact the community.
The Commission is comprised of 13 members, serving 3-year terms. Among other qualifications, Commissioners must reside in King County and be immersed in one or more immigrant and refugee communities.
To apply for a seat on the Immigrant and Refugee Commission, please visit the County's Boards and Commissions page. Spanish versions of application materials are also available on the site. Applications are due August 16, 2019
Funding Opportunity
Communities of Opportunity (COO), a partnership between King County and the Seattle Foundation, invites multi-year proposals from organizations working to advance racial equity through systems and policy change. Systems and Policy Change grants support community-led and community-engaged organizations that are working to change public policy, institutional practices, or other systems in order to decrease or prevent ongoing inequity in King County, centering communities of color. These grants support work that increase community connections, economic opportunity, health, and housing. An organization applying on its own behalf may receive up to $100,000 per year. Applicants applying as a coalition with other organizations may receive up to $200,000 per year.
Applications are due September 16, 2019. The full Request for Proposals, application portal, and schedule for information sessions can be found on the County's Best Starts for Kids blog or Seattle Foundation's COO page.
Job Opportunities
Attorney - 3rd Year Law Student & Fellow/Clerk
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is actively recruiting 3rd year law students graduating by June 2020 and attorney applicants engaged in legal fellowships or clerkships. Employment will begin in late summer 2020 through early spring 2021. DPD seeks talented, committed, hard-working advocates with excellent trial, research, and writing skills, and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Applications are due October 1, 2019. Details can be found on King County's Careers page.
Executive Analyst
The Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB) seeks an Executive Analyst II to provide analytical and financial consulting in support of County agencies and the Executive Office. The Executive Analyst will join the Criminal Justice/Health and Human Services team in PSB and will manage a range of processes and issues related to budget development, financial monitoring, financial and policy analysis, performance management, and business planning, including developing policy options and recommendations. Applications are due August 19, 2019. Details can be found on King County's Careers page.
Health and Environmental Investigators
The Public Health Environmental Health Services Division is seeking to fill 2 full-time Term Limited Temporary OR Special Duty Assignment Health and Environmental Investigator positions that will provide technical assistance to industry professionals, business, and the public; investigate on-site sewage system (OSS) failures, and review routine and time-of-sale inspection reports submitted by OSS industry professionals. Investigator positions are strong opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the field of Environmental Health. Applications are due August 18, 2019. Details can be found on King County's Careers page.
Visit King County's Careers page for more opportunities.
Community Feedback Needed on Transit Options in South King County
King County Metro is working to connect the cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn with fast, frequent, and reliable bus rapid transit service. This effort follows a public survey issued in March 2019 that identified transportation needs for people who live, work, and play in the impacted area. Metro is now proposing transit options to address those needs.
Community summer events, an online open house, and a new survey (open house and survey are available in Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese languages) will help Metro understand which of the proposed options to prioritize in order to best serve the region.
To read more about Metro's current proposals for South King County and to weigh-in, visit Metro's Programs and Projects page.