King County

Summary

• This position is open to current King County employees and the general public**

King County Metro is seeking an experienced and professional Public Records Officer (PPM III). The Public Records Officer will serve as the subject matter expert as it relates to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) and the department's records management practices. This position will provide consultation and management of all types of records management policies and public records requests made under the PRA. Duties will include providing coordination services, managing large and/or complex public records requests and providing expert level advice and consultation to staff and senior department/division leadership. This position will be required to work with individuals of many different backgrounds and trades, with varying levels of understanding of public records requirements, varying degrees of technological expertise and varying skill levels.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA)/Term-limited Temporary vacancy through December 31, 2027, with possibility of extension.

This recruitment will be used to fill one SDA/TLT position. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future SDA/TLT vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles to all aspects of the work.

As a Public Records Officer (PPM III), you will:

• Serve as a subject matter expert on the PRA for the department and will respond to and coordinate records requests. Provide high-level expertise and support to the various divisions and sections within the department.
• Provide guidance and training to other records leads on records management best practices and support them in their efforts to comply with the Washington State PRA.
• Utilize project management and technology skills to respond to large and/or complex public records requests made to divisions and sections within the department.
• Create project plans and advise public records leads regarding the creation of response plans for high volume request types, as well as large and complicated PRA requests.
• Work directly with Metro staff to identify, gather and produce records within a reasonable time frame; and interview records custodians to identify and locate responsive records.
• Provide guidance to all organizational levels regarding records management compliance and risk mitigation; provide strategies for achieving compliance within current and future records systems; ability to provide advice and consultation to leaders and to influence decision making or change.
• Process a variety of public records requests using information management systems to coordinate collection.
• Process coach and facility video records requests and provide expertise in this media format.
• Troubleshoot technology issues including video and audio files.
• Manage complex information requests from initiation to final resolution, ensuring adherence to statutory deadlines and internal protocols.
• Manage and maintain records request databases, ensuring accuracy, timely processing, and proper documentation of all requests and responses.
• Act as the primary liaison with legal counsel to interpret public records act and privacy regulations, ensuring compliant responses and operational practices and policies.
• Independently oversee the entire lifecycle of records requests, from initial intake and data retrieval to final delivery.
• Provide excellent customer service skills both internally and externally, demonstrating ability to build effective working relationships and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who:

• 5+ years of experience in public records management.
• Have a very strong background managing large and extremely complex Public Records Act responses, including extensive record review, record custodian interviews, preparation of privilege/withholding indexes, communicating with requestors and all levels of staff and meeting critical deadlines, OR any combination of education and experience.
• Are technical experts (advanced knowledge) with state and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the Public Records Act, records retention and office technology.
• Are experienced leaders with the ability to provide staff with mentoring, coaching and training as well as monitoring records production.
• Are able to monitor multiple complex records production efforts and resolve conflict and defuse difficult situations that potentially may delay timely production.
• Are excellent written and verbal communicators and can build effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders and customers internal and external to the department.
• Experience managing records across multiple technological platforms, including video record management systems.
• Experience with e-discovery tools, familiarity with government agencies, or knowledge of King County's records systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a wide variety of diverse individuals.

Highly competitive candidates may also have:

• Project Management Certification or have a Six Sigma Green or Black Belt
• Public Records Officer Certification through the Washington Association of Public Records Officers (WAPRO)

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to current King County employees and the general public.

Required Application Materials

1. An online employment application, including all relevant employment history and experience related to this role.
2. As well as responses to supplemental questions.

NOTE: Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the required application materials. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Selection Process

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills to determine the most qualified candidates. The process may include the following: a review of the application and supplemental questions, testing and/or panel interview, and references. It is important to note that you must get approval from your current supervisor/manager to accept a Special Duty Assignment. Pay for SDA will be in accordance with the Personnel Guidelines or the selected employee’s collective bargaining agreement.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Tracy Bylund at tbylund@kingcounty.gov.

Work Schedule

This hybrid role involves a mix of remote work and on-site responsibilities, with an expectation of being in the office for meetings, tasks, and assignments as needed. This position is not covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is ineligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 40-hour work week. Variations may be required depending on the demands and training needs of the work.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Work Location

The incumbent will have a hybrid work schedule and may work remotely and onsite. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, Washington.

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position is currently being performed in a hybrid fashion including teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

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