Drafter
Clerk 11/05/2018
Title
AN ORDINANCE expanding the number of fellows for the Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship program; and amending Ordinance 18572, Section 1, as amended, and K.C.C. 3.12.184.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. In September 18, 2017, the council adopted Ordinance 18572 creating the Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship program.
2. As stated in Ordinance 18572, it is the county’s desire that upon completion of the fellowship, Ruth Woo fellows would understand the branches of government and the importance of civic engagement, and appreciate public service in its many forms, such as by elected officials, staff, stakeholders and the public.
3. Expanding the number of Ruth Woo fellows and also broadening the assignments to county agencies related to physical environment and health and human services would broaden the perspective of public service, particularly to those Ruth Fellows that come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and have historically lacked equitable access to education, employment and professional development opportunities.
4. Through the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget, the council intends to appropriate moneys to expand the Ruth Woo emerging leaders fellowship program.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 18572, Section 1, as amended, and K.C.C. 3.12.184 are each hereby amended 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 at least ((one)) five fellows at a time in county employment, who shall serve for a term of one year.
B. The fellow shall be an employee of the department of human resources. 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 department of human resource 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 department of human resources criteria for the
election of applicants, shall screen, interview and score the applicants and shall recommend to the department of human resources appointment of the fellow.