Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 10a
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting March 11, 2025
DATE : March 4, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Robert Brown, Program Manager & Data Analyst for Maritime & Green Jobs,
Workforce Development,
Anna Pavlik, Director, Workforce Development
Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
SUBJECT: Multi-Year Funding Request for Duwamish Valley Career Navigation Services
Amount of this request: $ 480,000
Total requested project cost:
$480,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to approve OEDI and External
Relations to invest $480,000 in career navigation services with a primary focus on Duwamish
Valley residents for the next three years Q3 2025-Q2 2028. This authorization will direct the Port
of Seattle to contract up to a total of $480,000 to an organization(s) capable of providing career
navigation services to primarily Duwamish Valley residents.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OEDI and External Relations have revamped the Duwamish Valley Green Jobs Program, shifting
from building career awareness in green jobs to providing career navigation services. Duwamish
Valley community members will continue to be the primary recipients of the services in alignment
with the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Commitment (Resolution 3767). The career
navigation services will provide residents with training in green jobs, assistance in navigating
hiring processes, and access to the support needed to be prepared for a career in maritime,
aviation, or construction. The successful bidder(s) for the solicitation will enter into a three-year
contract with OEDI, with an equal contribution in funding from External Relations.
JUSTIFICATION
The funds will be used per Resolution 3767 from the Community Benefits Commitment in which
Goal 3 (Economic Prosperity in Place) directs the Port to engage in these activities, among others,
to create mutual benefit to the Duwamish Valley and the Port:
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
1) Recruiting and Retention
2) Youth Workforce Development
3) Adult Workforce Development
In addition to this directive, Port staff at the Duwamish Valley Community Hub regularly receive
requests from community members for culturally and linguistically relevant, individualized career
services. These services are not offered at the Duwamish Valley Community Hub and staff
welcome new partnerships to offer career navigation on-site.
DETAILS
From 2020-2024, the Duwamish Valley Green Jobs program taught participants about the local
environment, the ecological history of the Duwamish River, and several environmental
restoration methods. Participants exited the program with a deepened sense of connection to
environmental restoration efforts in their community and a heightened interest in pursuing Port-
related careers. The contract with Dirt Corps for the Duwamish Valley Green Jobs program
expired in Sept. 2024, and OEDI and External Relations have revamped the fund, shifting from
building career awareness in green jobs to providing career navigation services to connect
Duwamish Valley community members to port-related careers. Maritime Environmental and
Sustainability will continue to offer restoration training opportunities in alignment with their
priorities.
Scope of Work
The Port seeks a career navigation community-based organization to help Duwamish Valley and
other King County residents transition from low-wage jobs to higher-paying careers. The
Consultant will:
Conduct targeted outreach strategies to Duwamish Valley residents to raise awareness
about green job training opportunities
Assess participant readiness to enter green job training programs and port-related
careers
Connect community members with green job training and careers in fields like maritime,
construction, aviation, and green jobs
Assist with job placement, retention, and career support services
Partner with employers in green jobs and other sectors
Offer culturally relevant support
Track and report outcomes
Schedule
OEDI’s goal is to release this solicitation as soon as possible and enter in contract in Q2 2025
with services provided Q3 2025 – Q2 2028.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do not release these funds.
Cost Implications: $160,000 in 2025
Pros:
(1) Reduces staff time for project delivery support, potentially freeing time for other
efforts.
(2) Allows resources to fund other priorities or programs.
Cons:
(1) The Port would be challenged to meet our Resolution 3767 commitment to offer
workforce development recruitment and employment services to youth and adults in
the Duwamish Valley without resources attached to the work.
(2) The Port would miss an opportunity to develop cohorts of local skilled workers ready to
fill green jobs related to construction, aviation & maritime.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Continue Duwamish Valley Green Jobs career awareness scope by re-soliciting for
the same services.
Cost Implications: No funding to career navigation, however no overall cost implications.
Pros:
(1) Provides career awareness for Duwamish residents about the green job opportunities
in restoration, stormwater infrastructure, etc.
(2) Allows the Port to conduct broader and more diverse outreach including middle and
high school students.
Cons:
(1) Does not result in Duwamish residents being placed in green careers.
(2) Creates the possibility of misalignment if programming is not directly linked to job
opportunities.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 –Further expand services beyond Duwamish Valley to other near-port
communities.
Cost Implications: Minimal overall cost implications, however it is a reduction in investment in
Duwamish Valley.
Pros:
(1) Gives the Port the ability to attract a larger geographic area and reach a more diverse
talent pool.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(2) Creates opportunity to assemble a wider network of employers who can hire program
participants.
Cons:
(1) The Port risks disconnecting from the economic obstacles, challenges, and needs the
Duwamish Valley faces.
(2) Duwamish community members may feel excluded or neglected from economic
opportunity which may further community distrust of government.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate
/Authorization Summary Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate $
$160,000
$480,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations 0
160,000
0
Current request for authorization 0
160,000
0
Total authorizations, including this request 0
160,000
160,000
Remaining amount to be authorized $0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion and External Relations will each contribute $80,000
annually for the next three years. The 2025 funds are already approved in the 2025 budget.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation Slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
1) October 25, 2022 – Commissioners were provided a three-year milestone update on
implementation of Resolution 3767, the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits
Commitment Policy Directive. Staff and community partners collaborated on the
Duwamish Valley Community Equity Program and the Duwamish River Green Jobs
Program, presented past activities, program accomplishments, and identified
opportunities for the future.
2) December 10, 2019 - Commission authorization of Duwamish River Green Jobs Program
contract solicitation and PCAT Community Capacity Building contract solicitation.
3) November 19, 2019 – Commission introduction of Resolution 3767, Duwamish Valley
Community Benefits Commitment Policy Directive
