Drafter
Clerk 09/07/2017
Title
AN ORDINANCE creating the Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship program; and adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 3.12.
Body
PREAMBLE:
The Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship program is named after revered community leader Ruth Woo. Woo started her career in public service as an administrative professional to former Governor Dan Evans and later became a mentor to several elected officials, including former King County Executive Gary Locke.
At a young age, Woo witnessed the impacts of policymaking when she and her family were incarcerated at Tule Lake during World War II. This life event motivated Woo to use her influence to increase diversity in government institutions to ensure they reflect the communities they serve.
In memory of her public service and to commemorate her passing on July 13, 2016, this program honors her life's work and passion in opening doors for youth from backgrounds that have historically lacked equitable access to education, employment and professional development opportunities to enter public service.
This program will also further the county's Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2022 objectives that, "(by) 2022, all departments and agencies have fully active school-to-work pipelines from economically disadvantaged communities." In addition, it will further the plan's goal that "(m)ost of our workforce - at every level of all agencies/departments - consistently reflect our region's changing demographics."
It is the county's desire that upon completion of the fellowship, the Ruth Woo fellow understands the branches of government and the importance of civic engagement, and appreciates public service in its many forms, such as by elected officials, staff, stakeholders and the public.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
NEW SECTION. SECTION 1. There is hereby added to K.C.C. chapter 3.12 a new section to read as follows:
A. The Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship is hereby created. The fellowship shall be a paid, full-time, term-limited temporary position and shall be awarded to a person who has demonstrated a commitment to public service. Priority in selection will be given to economically disadvantaged college graduates from backgrounds that have historically lacked equitable access to education, employment, and professional development opportunities. There shall be one fellow at a time in county employment, who shall serve for a term of one year.
B. The fellow shall be an employee of the human resources management division. The fellow shall be assigned to work in various county agencies for periods of three to four months at a time with the written approval of the presiding elected official or designee of such agency. The assignments shall include periods with the council and with executive branch agencies. While assigned to an agency the fellow shall be subject to the administrative supervision of that agency.
C. The Ruth Woo fellow shall have the following responsibilities:
1. Assignments may include following a piece of legislation through the legislative process, preparing briefings, correspondence or other documents, communicating with constituents and other county departments, assisting in outreach and executive branch policy administration;
2. The work in the branches and departments shall include:
a. working on projects related to each branch or department and seeing them to completion;
b. experiencing by directly working on how policies are developed and implemented and how they relate to the communities served by the county;
c. participating in internship orientations, workshops and policy exercises; and
d. maintaining professional, nonpartisan conduct.
D. Each agency shall reimburse the human resources management division for the cost of the fellow for the period assigned to the agency.
E. Annually, a committee to review applicants for the fellowship shall be formed, composed of members appointed by the executive and the chair of the council. The committee shall recommend to the human resources management division criteria for the
selection of applicants, shall screen, interview and score the applicants and shall recommend to the human resources management division appointment of the fellow.