On Wednesday, July 14, workers and local dignitaries joined together to celebrate the “topping out” of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s new consolidated rental car facility. When the new structure opens in spring of 2012, it will house all rental car related operations for the airport.

The ceremony, which by most accounts dates back to ancient Europe, marks the completion of the building’s basic structure. After the mandatory speeches, the dignitaries and labor representatives each signed the large steel beam that acted as a back drop for the day’s ceremony.

Bedecked with a banner representing the Iron Workers Local 86, an American flag on one end and an evergreen tree on the other, the beam was lifted by one of the large tower cranes and “flown” around the job site before being maneuvered into place on top of the structure.

With the final piece of structural steel in place, the construction project is around the half way point with a lot of work remaining in order to meet the scheduled opening date in early 2012.

Speakers at the event included Dave Soike, the Deputy Managing Director of Sea-Tac Airport, Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton, SeaTac Mayor Terry Anderson, rental car industry spokeswoman Lorie Tallarico, King County Labor Council AFL-CIO board member Lee Newgent, and Jack Beaudoin, Vice President and General Manager for Turner Construction.

All of the speakers emphasized the degree of cooperation and coordination required across multiple agencies, including the Port of Seattle, City of SeaTac, and the construction company and labor unions, for the project to move ahead and be successful despite roadblocks along the way.

The project was paused in December 2008 when economic conditions deteriorated. Construction resumed in July 2009 after the Port approved the sale of $317 million in revenue bonds to help fund the $419 million project. Almost the entire cost of the project will be paid back by fees paid by rental customers.

In the meantime, over 3,000 family-wage jobs will be generated over the life of the project and the City of SeaTac will collect nearly $2 million in tax revenue.

Much was made of the focus on minimizing the environmental impact. Turner Construction General Manager Jack Beaudoin stated that 95% of the materials used in constructing the facility were recycled, and that nearly 99% of construction waste leaving the site is being recycled. Beaudoin also declared the structure will be “salmon safe” with 85% of the car wash water reclaimed, filtered and reused. LEED certification is also being pursued for the facility

Once the new rental car facility opens, it will bring together operations that today are located at the airport and scattered across several off-site locations. In the process it will increase the number of companies providing cars from the five available at the airport today to a total of eleven. It will also free up more than 3,200 parking spaces in the main terminal garage.

Photographer Michael Brunk attended today’s ceremony and assembled the following slideshow. Click on the images to advance.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

If you’re looking for a job and you’ll be in/around Tukwila this Thursday (Feb. 25th), you should polish up your resume and show up at 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.

The City of Tukwila is hiring a Director for its Parks and Recreation Department, with a pay range between $99,672 to $129,612.

The deadline is 5pm, Friday, January 29th, or “until the position is filled” but we recommend that you apply ASAP.

You can download a PDF of the job description here, which we’ve included below:

The City of Tukwila, Washington is seeking a DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR for its Parks and Recreation Department

THE COMMUNITY
Tukwila lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17 miles north of downtown Tacoma, just east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-5 and I-405. Its central location makes Tukwila an ideal site for approximately 2,000 businesses. Tukwila encompasses single and multi-family residences, heavy and light manufacturing, and service-oriented companies, as well as one of the Northwest’s largest concentration of retail businesses. The popular Starfire soccer complex is located in Tukwila. Over the past 100 years, Tukwila has grown into a regional economic powerhouse. Between 50,000 and 100,000 people come to Tukwila every day for employment, shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.

PROFILE

• Incorporated: June 23, 1908
• Land Area: 8.6 square miles
• Population: 18,000
• Employment: 42,320

CITY GOVERNMENT
Tukwila is a non-charter, optional code municipality. The Mayor is the chief executive offi cer of the City, and the Council is the legislative branch and governing body. The City’s management consists of nine department heads, reporting to the City Administrator. Tukwila has over 330 regular employees, and oversees an annual general fund operating budget of approximately $45 million.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Parks and Recreation Department is organized into five divisions: Administration, Parks, Recreation, Golf, and Aquatics. The Department also oversees three citizen advisory bodies: the Parks Commission, the Arts Commission, and Library Advisory Board. The Department operates the award-winning 48,000-square foot Tukwila Community Center, as well as the newly constructed Foster Golf Links clubhouse and restaurant. The park system has over 15 beautiful parks, open space, 18-hole PGA golf course, an aquatic center, and a complete trail system. The Department is made up of 46 fulltime employees, and has an annual budget of $6,000,000.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the City Administrator, the Parks and Recreation Department Director will be responsible for the administration, development and planning of all activities and operations of Tukwila’s Parks and Recreation Department. The position provides oversight for a variety of recreational programs and services, special events, and volunteer opportunities. Responsibilities include maintenance and operation of parks, trails and all recreational facilities; park design and construction; updates to the Park Master Plan; implementation of the new Park Impact Fees; preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, and applications for grant opportunities.

THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a proven, dedicated, visionary, high-energy individual, specifically responsible for developing and delivering programs, practices and facilities that are responsive to the overall needs of the community. He/she will have a broad knowledge of the parks and recreation field, a variety of facilities, services and equipment used to support Parks and Recreation programs. Specifically, he/she:

• Is familiar with the concepts of modern parks, land use and recreation planning, as well as having an awareness of current trends in the field.
• Has a record of success in developing good interpersonal and collaborative relationships with city leaders, community organizations, advisory boards, and City staff.
• Possesses skills for clear and effective writing, verbal communication, and public presentations to the City Council, boards/committees, and citizen groups.
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration or related field, and five years of experience in parks and recreation management.
• Will have high skill levels in the areas of organization, time management, grant/contract administration, and problem resolution.
• Is an innovator who possesses a strong service orientation and sense of mission, and who can contribute to the City’s leadership teams.

THE POSITION
Establishes goals and objectives for the Department to ensure compliance with the policy directives of the Mayor and City Council and all applicable local, state or federal laws, rules and regulations.

Develops, interprets and implements plans, policies and procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

Supervises the activities of department personnel to include scheduling, assignment and review of work; providing assistance, administering discipline, evaluating performance; and making hiring, termination and pay change recommendations.

Provides professional, technical and advisory assistance to other departments on issues related to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Prepares & submits reports regarding department activities.

Maintains reasonable, predictable and regular attendance during the standard work week.

Develops, recommends and monitors the Department budget including the incorporation of individual division budgets by review past expenditure, analyzing future needs, and making determinations regarding the necessary resources to accomplish departmental goals. Approves expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines.

Represents the Department at City Council, commission and other meetings to present the Department’s plans and accomplishments and to discuss the development and implementation of programs, policies, etc.

Serves as a liaison to civic and special interest groups, local service organizations and other municipal agencies to coordinate activities and to arrange the use of City services and/ or resources. Responds to citizen concerns and issues, and determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community/ customer relations for the Department and City.

Develops and implements plans, policies and procedures to ensure smooth and continued business operations of their department in the event of an emergency.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary for this position is within an established annual range of $99,672 to $129,612. Placement within the range will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided, which include:

• City self-insured medical insurance
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• VEBA
• State retirement plan
• Social Security
• Vacation, sick and holiday leave
• Commute Trip Reduction scheduling options
• Optional “Section 125 Plan”
• Optional deferred compensation plan
• Optional long-term care plan

APPLICATION PROCESS
Application packets must be received at the address provided below no later than 5:00PM, Friday, January 29, 2010, or until the position is filled. Full reference checks will be conducted on successful candidate(s).

Send application materials with resume and cover letter to:

City of Tukwila – Human Resources
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, Washington 98188

Application materials are available from the Department of Human Resources or online. To contact us:

• Phone: 206-433-1831
• Email: tukemploy@ci.tukwila.wa.us
• Download the application materials from the web: http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us

Other city job listing are available at the Tukwila website here.

The City of Tukwila is seeking volunteers to help count pedestrians and bicycle riders in the city, to identify priorities for improvements and support requests for State and Federal fund requests.

Here are the details:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Counter (Age: 16+) (6 positions)

BASIC FUNCTION: Count pedestrians and bicyclists that pass through an intersection as part of the annual Statewide and National count. Six locations in Tukwila will be chosen for count sites.

QUALIFICATIONS: Volunteers must be able to devote a total of 5.5 hours. This includes a 1 hour training meeting and 2.25 hours from 6:45-9:00am and again from 3:45-6:00pm on one of the following dates: September 30, October 1 or October 2. Volunteer must have the ability to sit or stand outside during the established time frames and in any kind of weather. Volunteer must spatially be able to determine direction of travel and count passing pedestrians and cyclists. Accuracy and dependability are the key qualifications.

CONTACT: Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner
City of Tukwila – Department of Community Development
Phone: (206) 431-3651 E-mail: mbradshaw@ci.tukwila.wa.us

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

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