COMMISSION AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting 10a 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: Total requested project cost: $ 480,000 $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: Template revised January 10, 2019. COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 10a Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 Page 2 of 4 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 Portrelated 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. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 10a Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 Page 3 of 4 ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED Alternative 1 - Do not release these funds. Cost Implications: $160,000 in 2025 Pros: (1) (2) Cons: (1) (2) Reduces staff time for project delivery support, potentially freeing time for other efforts. Allows resources to fund other priorities or programs. 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. 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) (2) Cons: (1) (2) Provides career awareness for Duwamish residents about the green job opportunities in restoration, stormwater infrastructure, etc. Allows the Port to conduct broader and more diverse outreach including middle and high school students. Does not result in Duwamish residents being placed in green careers. 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. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 10a Meeting Date: March 11, 2025 (2) Cons: (1) (2) Page 4 of 4 Creates opportunity to assemble a wider network of employers who can hire program participants. The Port risks disconnecting from the economic obstacles, challenges, and needs the Duwamish Valley faces. 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 Current request for authorization Total authorizations, including this request Remaining amount to be authorized 0 0 0 $0 160,000 160,000 160,000 $0 0 0 160,000 $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 Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).