Story and Photos by Michael Brunk

When most people think of Goodwill, the first thing that likely comes to mind is that it is a great place to donate clothing and other items that you no longer need.

Or perhaps that it is a wonderful store to find bargains on those same household goods.

Few probably realize that both of those things are just an outgrowth of Goodwill’s primary purpose – to provide employment training and basic education to people that otherwise might not have those opportunities.

To educate the community about these programs, the Burien Goodwill Job Training & Education Center located on 128th Street held an open house on Thursday, March 11. Approximately 30 people attended representing local government, community colleges, area businesses and social outreach organizations.

The evening’s program focused on meeting students and instructors from the Goodwill training program and learning more about their classes and facility. The keynote speaker for the night was Jesus Argueta, an adult student who has taken advantage of the free classes provided by the training center. Mr. Argueta spoke at length about the needs that Goodwill meets and the benefits of his education.

The Burien training center consists of a classroom used for teaching English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) and a computer lab that offers courses in basic computer operation and software such as Microsoft Word. The facility has been in operation for just over a year and is already at full capacity, with waiting lists for space in the classes offered.

The evening ended with a Q&A session that answered questions about opportunities for the community to get involved. Beyond donations of clothes and household goods and financial contributions, there is always a need for volunteers and Goodwill welcomes partnering opportunities with local businesses. For more information on how you can help, visit seattlegoodwill.org/getinvolved.

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

On Thursday (Mar. 4), Highline Community College’s Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics (ITTL) announced that it had received $250,000 to provide additional job training opportunities for positions in the international trade sector.

“As our economy continues to change and adjust so too must our workforce,” said U.S. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA). “This funding will help do just that by training Washington state workers for a career in a growing sector of our local economy – international trade.”

The project — part of the final version of the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on Dec. 16, 2009 — will lead to a 20 percent increase in the number of trained ITTL workers in Washington state.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Smith secured funding for the project that will also improve the image of international trade throughout Washington state and create awareness of career and training opportunities that lead to family wage jobs.

“In these tough economic times, it is more important than ever to ensure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy,” Murray said.

Positions in the ITTL sector include managers, logisticians, cargo and freight agents, shipping and receiving clerks, locomotive engineers, drivers and warehouse workers. Washington state will need nearly 77,000 new employees in ITTL by 2018, according to estimates based on data from the state’s Employment Security Department.

For more information about the Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics, visit www.ittlwa.com.

Located in Des Moines, Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include:

• Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice
• Entrepreneur Junki Yoshida
• Washington state poet laureate Sam Green
• And yes, even BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer

Looks like a consultant to the City of Burien has some temporary job openings for “door-to-door census taking” in March. According to a Craigslist Ad, this is NOT a federal census job – tt is an annexation census job for the City of Burien.

The pay is said to be $12 per hour, with flexible hours and a 3-5 week contract.

Interviews will be held on Friday, March 5th from 10:30am until 2pm.

From what we can tell, the job is actually for a consulting firm called Calm River, which says on its website:

Calm River Demographics focuses on providing comprehensive census, demographic and mapping solutions for cities, counties, non-profits, universities, libraries, healthcare and human service organizations.

Here’s the exact listing from the Craigslist Ad:

Temporary Job Openings in Burien, WA – $12 per Hour

The City of Burien is conducting a door-to-door census in March, 2010. Work hours are flexible and include evenings and weekends. Work will begin on March 11 and continue for 3-5 weeks.

Applicants must be willing to go door-to-door collecting basic census information and have their own transportation.

Applicants must be able to read a basic street map, have neat handwriting, be willing to pass a drug test and show proof of car insurance. All materials and supplies will be provided.

If you are interested please e-mail your resume to Richard Miller: Rick@CalmRiver.com

Interviews will be held on Friday, March 5th from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm. No telephone calls please.

Frequently asked questions:

How much do I get paid?
$12 an hour plus mileage (pays for your gas) and all the snacks you can eat. We also give you a vest, badge, pencils, and everything you need to work for free…

Can I work only the hours I want?
Yes – you can work only the days you want

How many hours a week can I work?
Up to 40!

What hours do we work?

• Weekdays – we start at 3:00 in the afternoon and work until about 7:30 or 8:00 pm
• Saturdays – we start at 10:30 in the morning and work until about 5:30 or 6:00 pm

Is this a Federal (United States) Census Job?
This is NOT a federal census job. It is an annexation census job for the City of Burien.

How do I apply?
Just e-mail Rick@CalmRiver.com with your contact information and a resume.

Location: Burien, WA

Compensation: $12 per Hour

This is a part-time job.

Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.

Please, no phone calls about this job!

Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Email: Rick@CalmRiver.com

For more area Job listings, check out our Jobs Page, which is continually updated with local employment listings.

Nearly 100 people showed up at Kent City Hall last Saturday (Feb. 20th) to attend a Community Jobs Forum sponsored by state legislators from the 33rd district.

The informational event was meant to highlight government resources that are available to job seekers and those needing job-related training.

Participating agencies included:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
• Veterans Conservation Corps
• Several south King County-area community and technical colleges
• U.S. Census Bureau

Senator Karen Keiser (D – Kent ) and Rep. Tina Orwall (D – Des Moines) each gave welcoming remarks that touched on some of the job creation efforts currently under consideration in the Legislature.

“Right now, the average unemployed worker has been jobless for at least seven months,” Keiser said. “That’s an eternity when you can’t pay the mortgage or utilities and benefits are close to running out. This jobs fair was a simple, yet effective way to help people in our district establish connections and crucial job leads. There should be more. The Legislature is looking at short- and long-term approaches to get people back to work, including maintaining our commitment to job retraining programs and helping businesses stay afloat with businesses assistance programs.”

Representatives from each of the agencies in attendance also gave brief presentations about the various resources they offer, most of which is free for job seekers. As budget cuts loom within state government, many of the presenters stressed that federal dollars for worker retraining are still available, and local community colleges are eager to help dislocated workers and those needing to update their skill sets.

“Our jobs forum was not only about linking people to programs and services, but also about helping them navigate these services,” Orwall said.  “This was a way to expand resources around some of the training programs to help people get back to work; overall I think this was a very big success.”

Also present at the forum were representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, which is in the process of hiring thousands of workers for temporary positions in Washington state to help households accurately fill out their census forms.  These jobs are extremely important because the United States constitution requires a complete population tally every 10 years, and the results determine everything from congressional representation to the amount of federal dollars allocated for things like education and transportation.

Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who originally came up with the idea for the Jobs Forum, was unable to attend Saturday due to illness.

“The overriding theme in the Legislature this year is jobs, but I wanted it to be more than just a buzzword,” Upthegrove said.  “I wanted to connect people with the resources that already exist here in the community.”

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, the west part of Kent, and parts of Burien and Normandy Park.

If you’re looking for work in the general Burien/Highline area, check out our Jobs Page, which is continually updated with job listings 24/7.

(Photos courtesy the Washington State House Democratic Caucus).

If you’re looking for a job and you’ll be in/around Tukwila this Thursday (Feb. 25th), you should clean yourself up, polish up your resume and drop by the Best Western Rivers Edge from 1pm to 5pm for a Job Fair.

Sponsored by Nationwide Job Fairs, this event will feature companies with job openings in the fields of energy, technology, education, government, health care, entertainment, services, retail, nonprofit, manufacturing and others.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Job Fair in Tukwila

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 25th from 1pm to 5pm

WHERE: Best Western Rivers Edge, located at 15901 W. Valley Hwy in Tukwila.

COST: It’s FREE!

Pre-register online here to forward your resume to all participating companies and schedule interviews in advance.

If you read The B-Town Blog regularly, you’re probably aware that, aside from providing a much-needed and timely service to the Burien area, we’re growing very quickly in both traffic, content and Advertisers (more info on us here).

And growth can be good, except of course when it starts to overwhelm a very small staff.

Hence, this posting – we’re looking for at least two capable folks to come join our Burien-based team:

1. JOURNALIST/EDITOR with Wordpress knowledge (or you’re at least not afraid to learn it). Yes, we need another Editor to collect content, format it, copy edit, add graphics (and do appropriate FTPing if necessary), then push the “Publish” button to update some of our up-and-coming blogs (we currently have 6 total, with more coming soon…).
2. SALES REP who can call on local businesses to let them know about us. We have nice Rate Cards, excellent traffic (40-50k Uniques per month on BTB alone), the websites speak for themselves, and we’re finding that Ads on here are an easy sell. We just need more feet on the ground!

Here’s some more info:

• We prefer to find local folks who live in the area.
• We like people who are involved in their communities (we’re active in ours).
• We like to find people who either read the blog already, or know of us.
• You can work part or full-time (some folks working here now have other gigs).
• You can set your own hours.
• This is a “ground-floor opportunity” and you will be part of a small, growing team.
• These are Contractor (1099) positions, meaning that you’ll be paid on an either per-job/hourly basis or pure Commission. And believe it or not, we also accept Volunteers! There are no benefits other than working with a fun, local, talented team who like to make a difference in their community.
• Your work will be seen on not just here on The B-Town Blog, but our five other area sister sites as well, including:
  • The White Center Blog
  • The Waterland Blog (for Des Moines)
  • The Normandy Park Blog
  • The Tukwila Blog
  • The SeaTac Blog

Requirements:

• Please have a computer and internet access (we’ll give you an email account).
• Please have a reliable car & valid driver’s license.
• Please have the ability to manage your clients throughout their entire Ad run on the sites (this includes staying in contact with them, renewing them when their contracts expire, etc.).
• You will work as an Independent Contractor, meaning you’ll be responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. and there are no additional benefits).
• You dig the internet and are excited about its future possibilities, including new technologies like the upcoming iPad.
• You like Local News, Events, Arts, Entertainment and more, as well as helping out your community(we hold our own Fundraiser Blog Parties about once per quarter, and over our 2+ year lifespan have raised over $13,000 for local charities).

To apply for one of these positions, please email us your resume, links to your online stuff (ie: Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.), and your interests and availability!

Burien Goodwill is offering FREE eight-week English and Computer classes from March 15th through May 6th, with registration from March 1-3 at its location at 1031 SW 128th.

These courses are aimed at teaching people with significant barriers to employment valuable skills needed to find and keep jobs.

This session, students who are studying English but would like to build their computer skills immediately can take a new class, ESOL Computer Basics. And to satisfy a growing demand for English classes, the Center will offer a Level 1 course as well as an additional Basic class.

Classes fill up fast, and sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested people are encouraged to sign up soon.

The center will offer the following classes:

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL):

• Basic ESOL:  Mondays and Wednesdays (three different classes: 9 to 10:30 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m.)
• Level 1:  Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. NEW CLASS!
• Level 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Level 3: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
• Literacy: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Computer Basics:

• Computer Basics: Mondays and Wednesdays (two different classes: 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 to 12:15 a.m.)
• ESOL Computer Basics 1: Mondays and Wednesdays (two different classes: 1:30 to 3 p.m. or 3:30 to 5 p.m.) NEW CLASS!
• ESOL Computer Basics 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• Microsoft Word: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

For class availability and enrollment information, please call (206) 957-1026.

State Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall, both Democrats from Des Moines, along with Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent), will host a Community Jobs Forum on Saturday, Feb. 20th from 10am to Noon at the Kent City Hall.

Stepping out of the traditional “town hall” format, the three lawmakers put together a Community Jobs Forum to give constituents an opportunity to connect with state and nonprofit agencies that do job placement, training, counseling, and similar services.

Legislators will speak briefly about state efforts to spur job creation and get the economy back on track. The rest of the event will be free time for attendees to visit tables from the participating agencies and speak one-on-one with the legislators.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 33rd District Community Jobs Forum

WHEN: Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Kent City Hall – Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Avenue South, Kent

WHO: 33rd District legislators: Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Rep. Tina Orwall and Sen. Karen Keiser.

Confirmed participating agencies include:

• WorkSource
• Port Jobs
  
• Highline CC
  
• Green River CC
  
• Renton Technical College
  
• The Veterans Conservation Corps
  
• US Census Bureau

This Community Jobs Forum is a free event, and all South King County job seekers are encouraged to attend.

The 33rd Legislative District includes SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent and Tukwila.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Waldref at (360) 786-7201 or Waldref.Jennifer@leg.wa.gov.

A preliminary state audit questions the Port of Seattle’s contract with the nonprofit “Port Jobs” program, and Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) is sponsoring a bill that will make sure the program continues.

Since 1993, the private, nonprofit “Port Jobs” program has successfully matched job seekers with employers, as well as provided continuing education and job training opportunities.

“In the past decade, over 14,000 job seekers in South King County have turned to the services of Port Jobs,” Upthegrove said. “And employers know that when a candidate is referred to them through Port Jobs, that person’s qualifications have been thoroughly vetted.”

Upthegrove is sponsoring House Bill 2651, which specifically authorizes ports to support job placement and training programs that are operated by nonprofit entities. State law already authorizes port districts to contract with nonprofits for economic development. At issue is whether economic development encompasses workforce development.

“Port Jobs has connected thousands of job seekers with employers at Sea-Tac Airport, and to apprenticeships in the skilled construction trades. In this economy, we are doing everything we can to get people to work, and to help them stay employed once they get there,” said Heather Worthley, Executive Director of Port Jobs. “Representative Upthegrove’s bill, if passed, will make it crystal clear that the Port of Seattle has the Legislature’s backing to continue to fund this important work.”

The bill passed out of committee in the House and is awaiting possible action on the House floor. Upthegrove is pushing to ensure that the measure passes the House before the February 16 cutoff deadline for House bills.

“Our focus this year in Olympia is to create jobs and improve our economy, and this bill is all about jobs,” Upthegrove said.

Under the proposed legislation, Port Jobs would be required to submit an annual report to the Port of Seattle detailing the number of successful job placements. In 2009, Port Jobs placed more than 500 people through its Airport Jobs office.

From the Port Jobs website:

Port Jobs is not-for-profit action tank that develops practical programs and supports public policies that increase access to living wage jobs, fostering a more vibrant and equitable economy for residents of and businesses in Seattle and King County. We make good jobs easier to get and good employees easier to find, primarily in the port-related economy.

A 501(c)(3) organization, Port Jobs: engages in innovative research to increase shared knowledge; creates powerful partnerships in key action areas; and develops practical programs that provide important services to jobseekers, employers and our local community.

Members of the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) will rally against the Port of Seattle Monday, Feb. 1st beginning at Noon in downtown Seattle, in an effort to heighten awareness of the Port’s decision to change cab companies at Sea-Tac Airport after 20 years.

According to a press release:

STITA has no choice but to take its case to court to prevent the Port of Seattle from signing a contract with a competitor on Tuesday.

In December, the Port of Seattle Commission awarded a new five-year contract to Yellow Cab.

Now, more than 450 families face the loss of their businesses and livelihoods (while the contract is awarded to a big business monopoly, Yellow Cab).

STITA is a non-profit co-op of 216 cabs owned by 283 people. STITA was formed 20 years ago to solve a problem – the failure of for-profit taxi companies to provide safe, reliable taxi cab service at the airport.

Here’s info on the rally:

WHAT: Members of the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) will make an important announcement and take questions from reporters.

WHEN: Noon, Monday, Feb. 1st.

WHERE: South side of the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle, 3rd and Jefferson St. (the corner of the park)

INFO: Attorney Michael Goldfarb will discuss the legal case against the Port, and cab drivers and their families will be available to discuss the devastating impact of the Port’s flawed decision.

From STITA’s website:

STITA was formed 20 years ago by the Port of Seattle primarily to service in-bound passengers to SeaTac and residents of King County. STITA prides itself on providing excellent service. We have nearly 200 taxis in our owner-operated fleet. At STITA, diversity is embraced and our cab drivers are very proud of the fact that they work for an organization whose owners represent a broad range of cultural backgrounds including: Indian, East African, Pakistani, Somali, Filipino, Ethiopian, Iranian, and Bangladeshi. Many may not know that STITA is a not-for-profit association comprised of over 145 minority-owned businesses, meaning that STITA is governed by a Board of Directors and does not have a single owner or leasing agent. Because our cabs are owner operated, STITA takes customer service very seriously.

At the Port of Seattle’s request, several years ago STITA stopped driving traditional gasoline powered vehicles and now has one of the most environmentally friendly taxi fleets in the world. We operate both hybrids (40 vehicles) and compressed natural gasoline taxis (120 vehicles). The use of CNG has resulted in a significant reduction of air pollutants.

Burien’s Para Los Niños is seeking to hire an “imaginative, friendly, out-going and compassionate bi-lingual teacher,” for a part-time contract tutoring children ages 7 to 19 from within the Highline School District.

If you’re not familiar with Para Los Niños, it’s “a grassroots community organization founded by members of the community it serves—the growing immigrant, Spanish-speaking population in South King County. Para Los Niños builds a healthy community with a focus on Latino immigrants. It supports holistic, family-based educational opportunities and builds lasting community networks.”

The job pays $13 – $15 per hour DOE, and here’s the full listing:

“Fostering academic success for every Latino student through parent and community involvement.”

Para Los Ninos has a part-time contract opportunity for an imaginative, friendly, out-going and compassionate bi-lingual teacher. 

Para Los Ninos is offering after school tutoring for children ages 7 – 19 years old from within the Highline School District. 

The hours available are Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 8:30 pm and Friday 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

The candidate will be responsible for homework tutoring as well as a Spanish Literacy component, in an effort to maintain (or increase) the newly arrived immigrants understanding and fluency in both English AND Spanish. 

The position responsibilities include:

• Conduct ongoing outreach to students and families identified by the DISTRICT
• Provide tutoring to children from within specific schools in Highline School District.
• Provide monthly reporting on the attendance to tutoring
• Develop and maintain contact with students’ teachers and families
• Provide pre and post assessment data as determined with the Highline School District to demonstrate student growth in the English language as well as Mathematics and Reading.
• Provide requested information for reporting on the Immigrant Competitive Grant by dates assigned
• Provide 1.5 hours of weekly English tutoring for a minimum of 15 students meeting the qualifications defined by the Immigrant Competitive Grant during at least 15 weeks during the 2009-2010 academic year
• Provide 1.5 hours of weekly Spanish tutoring classes for a minimum of 15 students meeting the qualifications defined by the Immigrant Competitive Grant during at least 15 weeks during the 2009-2010 academic year

This a CONTRACT PART – TIME POSITION.

Qualifications:

• Bi-Lingual Spanish and English are required!!
• Must have or be in the process of attaining Teaching Certification in the state of Washington
• It is possible to consider Experience in Education over post-secondary Education
Reliable Transportation is required.

To inquire or submit your resume, please email info@plnwa.org or call 206-241-7900 ext 17.

4 – 5 month contract

We love to post Job Offers (see our Jobs page for the latest listings), especially good ones from local organizations like New Futures, which is seeking an Executive Director.

The gig starts in April, and the pay is a $85,000-$92,000 salary.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 2nd, and you must pass a background check.

New Futures has four sites in the general area, including Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park.

From their website:

New Futures’ mission is to partner with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County, providing on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for nearly 1,600 people, and positively impacting all of the approximately 4,000 people who live in these communities.

Our sites include: Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park.

Here’s the actual job listing, and here’s a link to a PDF download:

NEW FUTURES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Job Announcement

New Futures seeks a well-qualified, experienced, committed, visionary leader to fill the position of Executive Director (ED). This position provides a unique opportunity to work in an environment dedicated to the values of cultural competency and strengths-based programming.

New Futures partners with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County, providing services and community building programs on-site to children, youth, and families.

THE ORGANIZATION:
New Futures was founded in 1993 by teachers in the Highline School District who realized that many of the children who were struggling most in their classrooms were living in the same low-income, high-crime apartment complex. They rented an apartment there and started an on-site after-school program. Recognizing that children need strong families and safe communities in addition to academic support in order to thrive, New Futures integrated family support and community- building activities into our children and youth development programs. In 2004, New Futures launched ReachOut, a social enterprise that engages individuals in transforming organizations, particularly schools, to effectively serve culturally diverse children and families. ReachOut uses the proven results of over a decade of New Futures’ work to share best-practices and concrete strategies in the area of cultural competency.

Overseen by a committed board of directors of15, and led by a talented and dedicated staff of 45 (26 full time equivalents), the organization intensively serves 1,475 individuals each year, and touches more than 4,000. New Futures has an annual operating budget of $1.5 million.

The residents we work with are racially and ethnically diverse:

• 93 percent of families in our programs are recent immigrants or refugees
• Nearly half of the people we serve speak a language other than English as their first language
• 69% of our families identify themselves as Latino; 10% as African or African American; 4% as Asian or Pacific Islander; 8% as multi-ethnic; 3% as Caucasian; 1% as Native American or Alaskan Native; and 5 % as “other”

We attribute our long-term success at partnering with these communities to three essential characteristics of our work:

1. Neighborhood-Based: New Futures operates year-round at the apartment complexes where the families we serve live, providing very easy access to our programs. Our staff members are able to develop trusting relationships with residents and are considered friends and neighbors. To be as accessible as possible, people do not have to make appointments to meet with staff.
2. Integrated: Helping children thrive is a complex undertaking. By partnering with families, local schools and teachers, King County Housing Authority, property management, and other community agencies, our programs help children and parents simultaneously address challenges at an individual, family, and neighborhood level.
3. Responsive: Since our inception, our programs have been created in response to families’ stated needs and interests, and have incorporated their values. The collaborative nature of our work helps to establish the trust necessary for success, and to ensure our programs are relevant. Our staff members receive extensive cultural competency training and reflect the communities they serve: more than half are bilingual, many of our staff members are immigrants, and several were formerly served by New Futures’ programs. Through our ReachOut training program, we train other organizations and schools in cultural competence, helping change systems to better meet the needs of diverse children and families.

New Futures has had an interim executive director since May 2009. We have used this time to review and strengthen internal systems. New Futures is in the process of developing a strategic plan to guide the organization for the next three years. The incoming executive will inherit an organization that is fiscally and programmatically sound, with strong programs, partnerships, and services in place.

THE POSITION:
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The current director oversees a staff of 45 full and part-time employees. The position requires occasional evening and weekend work.

The Executive Director must be an engaging leader and experienced manager who excels at balancing internal management with external impact and visibility. S/he will ensure that the organization is fiscally and programmatically sound and strategically advancing its purpose and goals. The Executive Director directly supervises an experienced and committed senior staff team of four.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership:

• Advance, oversee implementation of and communicate the vision, mission, and values of New Futures
• Exhibit a passion for New Futures’ mission
• Act as a public spokesperson and advocate and represent New Futures at community activities
• Develop strong, positive relationships with board, staff, volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders
• Think strategically: assess options and actions based on New Futures’ strategic plan and on trends and conditions in the environment
• Provide leadership in moving New Futures toward increased cultural competency

Fundraising and Community Relations:

• Provide strategic leadership in major development efforts ranging from donor cultivation to solicitations and stewardship
• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of New Futures’ work and identify changes in the community served by the organization
• Oversee fundraising and community-building events

Personnel Management:

• Maintain a climate that attracts and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality people and volunteers
• Hire, mentor, evaluate, motivate, and, as necessary, manage transition of staff
• Ensure that a sound organizational structure, including a leadership/management team and other staffing, is in place
• Ensure that New Futures is in compliance with all applicable laws

Operations and Fiscal Oversight:

• Develop an operational plan with goals and objectives that reflects New Futures’ strategic direction
• Work with the staff, finance committee, and the board in preparing a budget
• Ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines
• Manage day-to-day operations efficiently and effectively
• Ensure that all reporting requirements are met
• Perform risk management
• Direct the maintenance of New Futures’ financial records

Program Planning:

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and services
• Oversee and support New Futures’ social enterprise, ReachOut

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate for this position will have a demonstrated commitment to New Futures’ mission. S/he will also bring a variety of experiences and attributes, including:

• Five or more years leading/managing a non-profit organization comparable in size and scope to New Futures or demonstrated combination of for-profit experience combined with board and volunteer experience
• Inspirational leadership with demonstrated experience advancing the mission and vision of an organization
• Ability to connect and develop relationships with diverse groups of people
• Development prowess, including raising funds and stewarding individuals, government, corporations, and foundations
• Overseeing a budget of at least $1 million and managing a large staff as well as having the ability to direct volunteers
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to social, racial, and economic justice
• Knowledge of issues faced by low-income immigrant families
• Integrity and self awareness
• Knowledge of one or more of the following: education, poverty, and/or immigration issues
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Working effectively with a board of directors
• Developing strategic collaboration and partnerships with individuals, staff, and organizations
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

The Executive Director is expected to be able to start work in April 2010. New Futures provides a competitive salary, flexible work environment, and health and retirement benefits. Salary range: $85,000-$92,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references on-line to gabrielas@newfutures.org by February 2, 2010. The successful Executive Director must pass a background check.

New Futures welcomes and respects diversity of background, experience, identity, and opinion in our participants, staff and volunteers. We embrace people of any race, color, national origin, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, family make-up, religion, age, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

It’s always good news when a local company is hiring, therefore we happily tip our “Good News Hats” to Burien’s Prudential Northwest Realty, who asked us to post the following job offer:

Prudential Northwest Realty in Burien is now hiring full-time and part-time Real Estate Agents.

Will train, and schooling for new licensees is available.

Call Lori or Bradley at 206-243-8883.

At Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, we put our associates in position to succeed in their profession through training, technology, business planning, management and technical support, and lead generation.

Our associates have responded by having the highest percentage of listed property actually sell and close than the percentage of the entire real estate multiple listing service.

Our associates have sold their clients properties in a shorter market time and for a higher percentage of the list price than the total multiple listing service has done.

As a result of our company and associate teamwork our dollar volume and our number of sales have increased at a higher rate than our competitors and that of the top company in the U.S.

More info at their website here.

Burien Goodwill is offering FREE classes in English and computers as well as job search workshops from Jan. 4 through Feb. 25th at their Job Training and Education Center at 1031 SW 128th Street.

Registration begins Monday, Dec. 14th and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 15th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Goodwill’s FREE classes in English and computers as well as job search workshops

WHEN: 8-week classes run from Jan. 4th through Feb. 25th, 2010; Registration is Dec. 14-15th

WHERE: At Goodwill’s Job Training and Education Center in Burien, located at 1031 SW 128th Street

COST: FREE!

INFO: Register on Dec. 14th-15th for free classes in the eight-week session that runs from Jan. 4 through Feb. 25, 2010.

These courses teach people with significant barriers to employment valuable skills needed to find and keep jobs.

Classes fill up fast, and sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis, so contact the center soon to reserve your spot!

The center will offer classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), from basic to intermediate skill levels.

Computer Basics and Microsoft Word classes will also be available.

Additionally, the center will present several Job Search Workshops during the session on the following topics:

• Resume Writing
• Internet Job Search
• Online Job Applications
• Interviewing and Self-presentation

For class availability and enrollment information, please call (206) 957-1026.

UPDATE 10/21/09: We have added one new business (Bratz, a German cafe) and one re-opening (Skippers) to this story, which we hope will continue to develop…

by Ralph Nichols

It may not be a boom. But even as the recession continues to buffet Highline communities, businesses are discovering – and returning to – Burien.

“We have a trickle of new businesses coming in here,” Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman told The B-Town Blog recently. “We’re gradually filling up our vacant (commercial) spaces, and it’s happening in the worst economic climate in decades.

“You’d think it would be very quiet, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s very amazing and we’re very fortunate to have this happening.”

NEW BUSINESSES:

• Grand Central Bakery, with popular stores in Pioneer Square and on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, has announced plans to expand its business by moving into the vacant retail space at 626 SW 152nd St., next to Sylvan Learning Center.
  

  Bratz, a German food store, should open on 6th SW before the end of November.

• And Redfish Grill, already doing a successful business in Tacoma, is going to open a second dining spot in the building recently occupied by The Keg on SW 148th St. at the entrance to the Safeway shopping center.
• Bratz, a German-style fast food cafe, has its signage in place in a spot on 6th SW, just across the street from Sal’s Deli. We spoke with co-owner Robert Lang, who says that the store should open in “two to four weeks” and foodwise to expect “German beer, the world’s best sausages, schnitzels, red cabbage, pretzels, potato salad and more.” Robert and his brother John are both from Germany, and they have one other location in Seattle’s U-District.

BUSINESS RE-OPENINGS:

• Remaining in Burien, after closing its doors when displaced by the third-runway flight path north of Sea-Tac International Airport, is Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana. This popular Italian restaurant, long a local favorite, is moving downtown and will reopen at 653 SW. 152nd St (next to Key Bank).
• Already back in business with new owners is Wizards Casino at 15739 Ambaum Blvd. SW, next to the Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley. The return of Wizards was especially good news for the city – it’s one of Burien’s 10 largest employers.
• Skipper’s Seafood & Chowder, located at the corner of Ambaum Blvd. and SW 148th, has also re-opened.
• In the meantime, Car Pros of Tacoma continues to indicate it will reopen Burien Nissan at Five Corners as soon as their business plan is finalized and approved.

Why this interest? “It starts with the availability of property … on a reasonable-cost basis,” according to Loman, together with marketing studies that indicate these businesses will do well.

Burien has “a reputation of being friendly and a cool place to be … these are destination-type businesses that draw from a much larger area than just Burien. It’s location, location, location.”

As these businesses locate or relocate in Burien, another is expressing interest in coming here – and being the anchor of the phase two development in Town Square.

• Loman identified the company that wants to develop a 10-screen cinema complex in Town Square as Galaxy Theaters, headquartered in Los Angeles.
• Galaxy Theatres runs 10 different “first-run” movie complexes in four states, including three in Washington – Monroe, Tacoma and Gig Harbor.
• Here’s a blurb from their website:

Galaxy Theatres, LLC is a fully integrated movie theatre company.

Privately owned, it is ranked by size in the top 10% of its industry, according to the National Theatre Association and currently has theatres in California, Nevada, Texas and Washington.

Formed in 1998, its focus is to develop and operate a portfolio of high impact, state-of-the-art movie entertainment theatres in selected markets of the western United States.

Galaxy Theatres’ award winning business philosophy of “More than just a Theatre” incorporates the best in movie entertainment with the Company’s philosophy of active community service.

“Being socially entrepreneurial builds strong bonds and goodwill in the communities we serve”, according to Frank Rimkus, the Company’s CEO.

• Representatives of both Galaxy and Urban Partners, the private developer of Town Square, will appear before the Burien City Council at the Nov. 2 meeting to discuss their proposal.

Here at The B-Town Blog, our mission is not only to serve our community with the most up-to-date, relevant local news, events and more – it’s also to serve our Readers with resources that they might find useful.

To wit: today (Tuesday, Oct. 13th) we launched our new Jobs Page, where you’ll find continually-updated listings of the latest Burien-area jobs, as well as relevant stories, resources and more items as we find them.

As of launch, we have 14 different job “feeds” from various sources like Craigslist, Monster, HotJobs and other “big ones” as well as some more obscure ones like DevBistro.com and JuJu.com. Our goal is to list as many local/area job listings as possible, so if you know of one that we’re missing, please email us (just keep in mind that it must have an RSS/XML feed for us to use it).

To access this new feature, either click on “Jobs” in the top menu, or click here!

Thanks, and good luck in your search!

BTB Advertiser BECU is holding a free seminar called “Surviving in Today’s Economy” on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Free “Surviving in Today’s Economy” seminar

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines, WA

COST: NO COST. NO OBLIGATION. REGISTER TODAY.

INFO: Space is limited – call 206-439-5910, visit www.becu.org or stop by any BECU Neighborhood Financial Center to register.

Sponsored by BECU Neighborhood Financial Center, whose free seminars are led by experienced financial educators.

According to this Craigslist Ad, the semi-provocative restaurant chain Hooters is opening a brand new casino just seven miles down the 509 from Burien at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive in South Park:

“Hooters Casino is now hiring for all positions at multiple locations. Dealers, Cashiers, Security and Surveillance. Please apply in person @ Hooters Casino 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive, Seattle WA 98108.”

Another Ad, posted on Aug. 30th, reads:

We have a brand new Hooters Restuarant and Casino opening up in South Park! If you are fun & outgoing and fit the Hooters Gils image of the All American, Girl Next Door, Cheerleader we need you! We have several spots to fill still and as a Hooters Girls you could be in the position of a server, bartender, cocktailer, hostess, or even a dealer!

We will be accepting applications at the new location starting this Sunday 8/30 located at 9635 Des Moines Memorial DR, Seattle WA 98108. If you think you have what it takes to be the next South Park Hooters Girl hurry and come apply, you don’t want to miss this opportunity! You can also apply at the Seattle and Tacoma Hooters as well!

For any further questions give us a call at our Seattle location (206) 625-0555, and we will be glad to help! See you soon!

According to various Hooters websites:

“Hooters was appropriately incorporated on April Fool’s Day, 1983, when six businessmen with absolutely no previous restaurant experience got together and decided to open a place they couldn’t get kicked out of. Soon after, on October 4th of that year, the doors to the first Hooters Restaurant opened in Clearwater, Florida.

The name “Hooters” came from a popular comedy sketch by one of the nation’s hottest comedians of that time, Steve Martin.

The first Hooters Girl, Lynne Austin, was hired on a bet. One fine day in sunny Florida, one of the Hooters Six anchored his boat off Clearwater Beach to swim in and catch the Jose Cuervo bikini contest. After failing to convince the subsequent winner to join the troop right then and there, he told her that if her job as a telephone operator didn’t work out, she should call them. Weeks later, Lynne tried to get off work at GTE to attend yet another bikini contest. She quit the job when they refused. The next day, she called Ed to join the Hooters team.”

Here’s a map to the new Hooters Casino for those of you um…interested in “researching” this further (wink wink):

View Larger Map

So…what do you think of having not only a Hooters nearby, but one that includes gambling? Please take our poll or Comment below…

by Ralph Nichols

The return of Burien Nissan at 16042 First Avenue South, which closed for business in May, is anticipated in mid-September.

“We understand it’s going to be a Nissan agency, just like it was before,” Dick Loman, economic development manager for the City of Burien, said Wednesday (Sept. 2nd). “We don’t know when they will open, but anticipate it will be soon. We probably will know more by the end of the long weekend.”

Other sources indicated that the dealership will open its doors again in mid-month.

A job ad posted August 31 on Craigslist (see our previous breaking coverage here) solicited applications for all positions at Nissan dealerships “gearing up for mid-September opening.” The ad described the owner of these dealerships as “an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.” Applications could be emailed to Car Pros, and a job posting on the “CarProsJobs.com” website lists Burien as one of the locations hiring.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, along with a dealership in Carson, CA. Bradley Wolf was listed in the ad as a Tacoma contact for Car Pros. Attempts by B-Town Blog to contact Wolf on Wednesday were not successful.

Burien Nissan, which previously was owned by Rainier Automotive Group, lost its “flooring” (aka financing) and saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Loman, however, said his office doesn’t know the “relationship between Car Pros and Nissan, if there is any.” But, he added, Burien Nissan seems to be preparing to interview and hire staff, and “that’s very good news for us, obviously.”

“It will be good to have another new car dealer in town selling automobiles. Not only will it create jobs that we lost (when Nissan closed in March) but sales tax income will be coming back to the city again. So we’re very pleased at what we hear.”

Loman noted the site – which had a $5 million remodel not long before the closure – is already set up for an automotive dealership, signage already is in place, and it’s unlikely that the dealership will need any new permits from the city.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING: Might Burien Nissan Be Re-Opening Soon?
• BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

According to both KIRO-TV and Northwest Cable News, dozens of job-seekers camped overnight Tuesday night outside the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department building on 8th Ave SW in hopes of being one of 250 applicants for a full-time job.

According to BFD’s website:

Applications are now available for download from the Burien Fire web site. Applications will be accepted at Headquarters Station beginning August 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM PST until 3:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday until the first 250 have been received or September 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM PST whichever comes first.

A full list of requirements, minimum qualifications, application procedures, and an information sheet on the written test, physical test, and oral boards is provided to you via the link below. Please read this document in its entirety. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view the document.

2009 Application Information Sheet

2009 Application for Employment

The link below is the 2009 application for employment. It is a PDF document and Adobe Acrobat will be needed to view the file. Please read the Application Information Sheet prior to turning the application in.

2009 Job Application

Questions about the application and employment process, exams, test dates, or other related information should be directed to the receptionist at (206) 242-2040 during normal business hours only.

BFD started accepting job applications at 9am Wednesday morning, and will continue to accept them Mon.-Fri. from 9am to 3pm until 250 have been received or until Sept. 3rd, whichever comes first.

Potential firefighters will have to pass a written test, physical test and an oral board to get hired.

For more information, visit the department’s website or call (206) 242-2040.

Local non-profit New Futures is currently seeking candidates to serve as members of the Board of Directors, to do the things that board members do best – help raise funds, do marketing, publicity, planning, advising and much more.

In case you’re not familiar with New Futures, here’s some info from their website:

New Futures’ mission is to partner with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. Within low-income apartment complexes in South King County, which have the highest rates of poverty and school failure in King County, New Futures provides educational programs and support services to families we work with.

We have four sites in South King County: Arbor Heights in White Center, The Heights at Burien (formerly Vintage Park) in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac, and Woodridge Park in Boulevard Park. We impact all of the 3,500 individuals in the apartment complexes in which we are located with services that include translation, advocacy with management and schools, support with basic needs like food and clothing, community-building events, outreach, increased social cohesion, and reduced crime.

In addition to general board member responsibilities (see below) New Futures is looking for 1 – 3 people that have one or more of the following attributes:

• Resides and/or works in South King county
• Possesses fundraising ability/experience/ contacts
• Represents families we serve/ cultural competency/knowledge of community New Futures serves
• Has marketing expertise

If you would like more information about serving on the Board please contact Jenn Ramirez Robson at jenn.ramirez@yahoo.com.

If you are interested in New Futures but are unable to make the commitment required for a full board seat at this time, please consider volunteering for one of their standing committees:

• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising

Here’s the job description for New Futures’ Board Members;

The board as a whole has the responsibility for governing the entire organization, for establishing and upholding the organization’s mission and vision and for preparing for the organization’s successful future.

Planning:

• Establish the organization’s mission, vision, values, priorities (strategic plan) and keep them in focus at all times
• Plan for the organization’s future on a long-term and short-term basis
• Ensure alignment of program priorities with strategic plan
• Ensure the evaluation of programs and operations on a regular basis

Human Resources:

• Recruit, orient, train and recognize board members and provide them with opportunities to grow and develop as leaders
• Hire, orient, support and guide the Executive Director and evaluate his/her performance annually
• Develop personnel policies, including setting salary ranges, benefits and grievance procedures

Finance:

• Ensure financial accountability of the organization and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place
• Assist in the development of and approve the annual budget
• Oversee the organization’s properties and investments
• Review and approve audit and respond to any issues

Development:

• Ensure adequate resources to fulfill the organization’s mission
• Participate in fundraising activities
• Help identify, steward and thank major donors

Community Relations:

• Enhance the organization’s public standing by clearly articulating its mission, accomplishments and goals to the public
• Ensure that the programs and services appropriately address constituent needs
• Promote collaborative relationships with other organizations
• Help identify opportunities to promote the organization

Operations:

• Conduct annual board performance evaluations and establish plans to improve board accomplishments and processes
• Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability to 501(c)(3) guidelines and to each other
• Maintain an effective structure with committees appropriate to the size of the organization
• Conduct board meetings that generate and utilize the best possible thinking of its members

Individual Board Member Responsibilities:

• Learn and keep in focus the organization’s mission, vision, values, goals, policies and programs/services
• Suggest new board members
• Serve on at least one committee
• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Follow trends in the organization’s field
• Prepare for and participate in all board meetings
• Read and understand presented financial statements
• Exercise prudence regarding the expenditure of funds
• Represent the organization in the community
• Participate in board fundraising activities including the annual event
• Make a personally significant financial contribution
• Attend New Futures organized public functions
• Be open serving in a leadership capacity 5-10 hours per month, including:
  • board meeting preparation and attendance
  • committee meeting preparation and attendance
  • fundraising and special requests
• Serve a minimum of 3 years

In 1993, New Futures linked 4 apartment units together in The Heights at Burien and converted the space into classrooms, computer labs, and family meeting areas, to open our largest family center.

Located in the heart of Burien, The Heights at Burien has 543 apartments inside the complex, which makes it one of the largest complexes in the Puget Sound area. A majority of the residents here are Latino. There is also a large group of indigenous Mexican immigrants known as Purepecha, who speak a language called Tarascan, which dates back to the time of the Aztecs.

Like all of our sites, we offer English Language Learner (ELL) classes, translation services, and family advocacy services to help recent immigrant families navigate unfamiliar education and governmental systems, so they can thrive.

More information on New Futures is available at their website.

Laid off?

Job hunting?

Tired of being “between gigs”?

Then pay attention – Highline Community College is offering a series of free job-hunting workshops, with the next two coming up on the next two Tuesdays:

WHAT: Two “Navigating the Future” job-hunting workshops on cover letters, resumes and interview tips.

WHEN:

Cover Letters and Résumés That Get Results
Tues., July 28th from 9:30am – 11:30am
Stand out in the candidate pool! Your cover letter and résumé provide the first impression you make to a potential employer. Learn tips and techniques to put together a cover letter and résumé that will get positive results.

Tips for a Successful Interview
Tues., Aug. 4th from 9:30am -11am
Get valuable tips about how to prepare for a successful interview and find out what to expect during the interview process. Human Resources staff members will provide an overview of various interview questions that will prepare you in making a lasting impression on your potential employer.

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus, Building 99, room 132. Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: Free and open to the public

INFO: www.highline.edu/admin/hr/

RSVP: To register, call (206) 878-3710, ext. 3812, or e-mail hrstaff@highline.edu.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green (and yes, even the Publisher/Editor of the BTB…).

The Port of Seattle Monday announced that an estimated 3,000 jobs will be restored when the airport “Consolidated Rental Car Facility” parking garage construction begins again.

The Port of Seattle, the City of SeaTac, Turner Construction and representatives from the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council and King County Labor Council will officially re-start the construction at a press conference on Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30am.

Construction on the $419 million, 23-acre site will restore more than 3,000 local, family-wage jobs that were lost when the project was shelved last December.  This project is also projected to generate nearly $2 million in tax revenue for the City of SeaTac. At least 1,000 jobs are expected to be created by the end of 2009, and the facility is scheduled to open in spring of 2012.

The Sea-Tac Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility will support all airport-related rental car operations at one convenient location. It is designed to meet the current and future demands of the traveling public. The facility will be a five-story structure that will greatly improve the size, space, and efficiency of rental car operations that are currently spread out from the main terminal garage and multiple off-site locations. In addition, the facility will open up two floors of public parking, more than 3,200 spaces, in the main terminal garage.

The Port of Seattle Commission approved the successful sale of $317 million in revenue bonds in late June in order to re-start the project.

Here’s a full rendering of the garage:

The Burien Shuttle is a FREE door-to-door transportation service that drives local senior citizens around to run errands, buy groceries, get to medical appointments and assorted other travel needs, and they’re looking for volunteer drivers.

Here’s the info on how you can help “change the world, one mile at a time”:

Drive the Burien Shuttle and Change the World, One Mile at a Time.
This summer, seniors in the Burien-Highline community need a little extra hope. Help Burien seniors remain independent by becoming a volunteer driver for Senior Services Shuttle Program.  The Shuttle takes seniors to run errands, buy groceries, get to medical appointments and run other local errands.  We are seeking reliable, caring individuals to drive our agency vans—no wear and tear on your own vehicle!  We offer flexible hours and free training in defensive driving and passenger assistance.

You do not need a special driver’s license and do no lifting or bearing of weight.

Interested?  Call Valerie at (206) 727-6262, email valeried@seniorservices.org, or visit www.seniorservices.org for more information.

Or, if you don’t have transportation, perhaps you could utilize the Burien Shuttle’s services:

Need to buy groceries? Run an errand? Go to the doctor?  The Burien Shuttle is a FREE door-to-door van service here in Burien! Seniors and anyone with disabilities or special needs can ride. The van is lift-equipped for people who have difficulty using stairs or use a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or scooter.

Call (206) 727-6262 to book your ride – no forms to fill out!

Rides are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  The Shuttle runs Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm and serves the Burien-Highline area.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which has a training center in Burien, is holding a “Criminal Justice Job Fair” from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 30th.

Here are the details:

WHAT: WSCJTC Criminal Justice Job Fair

WHEN: Saturday, May 30th from 10am to 3pm

WHERE: WSCJTC center, located at 19010 1st Ave South in Burien (map below)

INFO: Open to the public and FREE TO ATTEND! No job seeker preregistration required.

Agency recruiters will be on hand to fill immediate positions to include:

• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• State agencies
• Private security
• Telecommunications
• Training schools
• And more

Bring resumes and dress to impress.

More information and an updated list of agencies confirmed to attend can be found at: www.cjtc.state.wa.us

Additional current openings can also be found on the WSCJTC website on the employment page link:

https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/employment/index.htm

View Larger Map

At the February 2009 Board of Directors Meeting, the Burien Little Theatre (BLT) took a major step toward its reorganization and sustainability by announcing some big changes.

To meet the organization’s stated goals, President and Vice President of the Board of Trustees Maggie Larrick and Eric Dickman stepped down from the BLT board at its February meeting. Following these resignations, Trustees Steve Cooper and P. Diane Major were elected Interim President and Vice President, respectively, of the Burien Little Theatre Board of Trustees.

Burien Little Theatre and the Capacity Partnership
Over the past 12 months, BLT through a Capacity Partnership grant, worked with Liz Heath from The Nonprofit Center to create recommendations and action items intended to strengthen the organization. Burien Little Theatre was selected to participate in this program by the city of Burien, because of the essential nature of services BLT provides and the commitment by the city to its focus on sustainable arts. The result of this work was the Burien Little Theatre Capacity Project Report, which was presented to the Board of Trustees at the January 2009 meeting. Among the recommendations was a goal “to establish a clear governance group that focuses on the key leadership areas of planning, budgeting, policy setting, financial and program oversight, fundraising and board development.”

The Managing Director and Artistic Director have been charged by the Board to oversee the daily operations and the productions of the theater, fulfilling BLT’s mission of Better, Live Theatre™. By separating the day-to-day operations of the theater from its governance, Burien Little Theatre will be structured to operate in a manner conducive to its continuing growth.

The Board of Trustees will now focus on structural and sustainability issues facing Burien Little Theatre. The Board faces many challenges including the possibility of BLT losing its home stage of over 29 years when a new community center is built. Currently the plans for the new Burien Community Center do not include a space adequate for theatrical productions. Another major focus for the Board is the recruitment of new board members to fill the vacancies created by this change and to ensure the sustainability of this unique and historic organization.

About Burien Little Theatre
Community-based theater has been a tradition in Burien since 1955. Incorporated in 1980, Burien Little Theatre (BLT) has been a leading producer of quality live theater serving residents of the Seattle and south Puget Sound areas. Burien’s Little Theatre Mission is to make every audience member’s experience at BLT a welcoming, lively and fun escape from the everyday world, beginning the moment they walk in the door, by providing high-quality, accessible and exciting theater. 
BLT is a non-profit 501c3 entity and operates on revenue from ticket sales, donations and volunteers.

BTB Reader Theresa Frasch tells us that area unemployed can received a free “Franklin Planner” this coming Saturday, March 14th at the Franklin Covey Store at Southcenter Mall.

It appears that the only catch is that you have to physically go into the store and provide them with information about your last employer, thus giving them the chance to upsell you their other products.

But what do you expect for free?

Here are the details:

LOST YOUR JOB? GET A FREE FRANKLIN PLANNER FROM FRANKLIN COVEY

Unemployed Can Receive a Boost from Franklin Covey Product Stores Nationwide

WHO: Individuals who recently lost their jobs are invited to visit a FranklinCovey Products store nationwide this coming Saturday to receive a free 2009 Franklin Planner.

WHAT: FranklinCovey Products is giving those who have recently lost their job a leg up during these recessionary times. Individuals recently unemployed can receive one 2009 Franklin Planner for free by providing the names of their last employer and the date they were laid off.

WHEN: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:30 am – 9:00pm (In-store event only)

WHERE: Franklin Covey at SouthCenter Mall, located at 122 SouthCenter Mall in Tukwila; 206-431-0341

WHY: Getting organized for a job search can ultimately save much time and frustration. Having one place to track all information, contacts, appointments, job leads, and interview notes can make a job search less stressful and more productive. Planning and organization are an integral component of a job search. FranklinCovey products and tools can bring focus, direction, and a sense of purpose to an individual’s daily decisions and can help lesson the panic that surrounds a job loss.

INFO: For more information, please visit www.franklinplanner.com

View Larger Map

The Burien Library Guild is sponsoring two Free Job Hunting Seminars on the next two Mondays, March 9th and March 16th, from 6:30pm to 8:3pm at the Burien Library.

So if you’re “in between gigs” (as we like to say), then you should mark your calendars:

WHAT: FREE Job Hunting Seminar

WHEN: Monday, March 16th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

WHERE: Burien Library, located at 14700 6th Ave SW

INFO: Don’t miss this great series that brings experts from the human resources and recruiting world to share job search tips, resume dos and donts, and information on online applications and government jobs.

Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.

Call or visit the Burien Library for seminar details: (206) 243-3490.

On Tuesday, Burien’s Highline Medical Center laid off 85 management and staff positions.

CEO Mark Benedum said, “Today is an incredibly difficult and painful day for us. In order to assure our financial stability, we had to reduce 85 management and staff positions at both campuses through a lay-off. In many cases, these are individuals who have given years of service and significant contributions to our organization. This was not an easy decision and it was something I had hoped we would not have to do.”

Like most hospitals both locally and nationally, Highline Medical Center has been hit hard by the declining economy. Highline’s net revenue has been negatively impacted by both a decrease in outpatient volumes and an increase in uncompensated care. These factors led to significant financial losses in December and January and a projected loss in February.

Benedum continued, “We have taken actions to respond to the decline in the economy. While we initially believed that these measures would allow us to manage the economic fall-out, it was not enough. We cannot continue to spend more than we are earning. Continued losses of this magnitude are not an option. We have a responsibility to our patients and the community to reduce our costs and remain financially viable.”

The vast majority of positions that were eliminated were not involved in direct patient care.

Highline Medical Center first opened in 1958 as Burien General Hospital. It now includes two healthcare campuses and more than 20 clinics across Southwest King County. As the tenth-busiest emergency department in the Puget Sound region, Highline serves as the base station for the Burien area emergency medical unit. In 2008, Highline broke ground on a new ER & Patient Care unit, which is slated to open in early 2010.

More information is available at their website: www.highlinemedicalcenter.org.

Highline Community College is sponsoring a seminar entitled “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” on Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am to 11am, and again on Tuesday April 14th from 2pm to 3:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” workshop

WHEN: Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am – 11am and Tuesday, April 14th from 2pm – 3:30pm

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 99, Room 132; located at 2400 South 240th Street in Des Moines (map below)

INFO: Discover tips and strategies for finding a good job in a down economy, including how to stand out in the job pool and using unique job search resources. Jack Harton, a Highline librarian, will show how to successfully use search engines to find job opportunities.

COST: Free and open to the public.

RSVP: (206) 878-3710 x3812 or via email to hrstaff@highline.edu

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Highline Community College will be doing what it can to resuscitate the local unemployment rate by holding a Health Care Job Fair on Wednesday, March 4th in the student union building on its main campus.

It’s sponsored by HCC’s Workforce Development Services, and Employers from the Puget Sound area will be recruiting for jobs in many health care related fields, including:

• Nursing
• Respiratory care
• Medical assisting
• Medical transcriptionist
• Phlebotomy
• Polysomnographic technology
• Optician-licensed dispensing
• Chemical dependency

Here are the details:

WHAT: Health Care Job Fair

WHEN: Wednesday, March 4th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus, in the Highline Student Union (Building 8), 2nd floor; Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: FREE and open to the public

INFO: Employers scheduled to participate include Advanced Health Care, Cascade Regional Blood Services, Good Samaritan Hospital, Regency Pacific, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Valley Medical Center and Virginia Mason Medical Center.

The job fair coincides with Highline’s Health Information Fair, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Highline Student Union, 1st floor. The information fair features student booths that explore health-related issues and booths that highlight Highline’s health care programs.

SPONSOR: HCC’s Workforce Development Services

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Our friends at the Highline School District tell us they’re holding a special event on Wed. Oct. 22nd called “Life After High School” at Mt. Rainier High School in Des Moines (located at 22450 19th Ave South) from 6pm – 8:30pm.

It’s targeted at both middle and high school students, and will include:

• 80 college and career booths featuring representatives from colleges, apprenticeship programs, military & civil service recruiters
• Workshops on:
  • Finding money for college
  • In-person testimonials from second-year college students
  • Up-close with reps from the UW, WSU, Western and Central
  • Helpful hints on completing college applications correctly
  • How to help middle schoolers prepare for college
  • Info on Green Collar Jobs
• A middle school student college rally
• There will also be Interpreters for Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Somali available
• Food will also be available to purchase

For more information, please call 206-433-2338, or download a PDF here.

In today’s economy, the unemployed can’t just sit around waiting for a recruiter to come a-knockin’ – no, to make it these days you’ve got to actually get out and network.

That’s why you should consider going to a Job and Resource Fair at Sea-Tac Airport this Thursday, Oct. 16th, to learn about opportunities for full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs with airport employers and get assistance with finding housing, health care, child care, educational programs, transportation and more.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Sea-Tac Airport, Main Terminal at the south end of the Baggage Claim Level in the Gina Marie Lindsey International Arrivals Hall. Park in the Airport Garage, but be sure to bring your parking ticket with you to the Job and Resource Fair and it will be validated

MORE INFO: Call the Job Fair Hotline at (206) 835-7504.

Learn more about Airport Jobs at www.airportjobs.org

Our sister site, the White Center Blog, just launched its latest community-enriching effort, a page devoted entirely to JOB LISTINGS!

The page is set up to retrieve live, continuously-updated job listings for the general White Center area, and can be found here.

Currently it’s set to find jobs listed within a 10-mile radius of the Dub-C.

This is the second community-building effort for the White Center and B-Town Blogs this week; on Monday night we co-sponsored a Food Bank Fundraiser that brought in enough food donations to feed two entire families (in the White Center/Burien areas – everything stays local) for one month!

The new Jobs listing page can be found here.

Are you looking for a job in Burien?

Well, we’ve got some rather good (but somewhat unbelievable) news – according to the job search website SimplyHired, the job rate in Burien has increased 87% since July 2006:

Does anyone know where the heck all these jobs are coming from?

How can job growth be so high?

Bueller? Bueller?

On that note, check out the B-Town Blog’s New Jobs Page!