Summary

As part of the 2022-2024 Coalition Labor Agreement and Investing in You, applications are being accepted for Professional Development Scholarship Awards.

This is the second and last application period in 2023. This application period pays for training courses or programs that BEGIN between July - December of 2023, OR, for those in a self-paced, online degree program, are taking courses which occur between July - December 2023 and a tuition payment is due during this time. The MAXIMUM amount an employee can be awarded is $3,000 per calendar year.

The Professional Development Scholarship Program is intended to support eligible employees in enhancing their knowledge and skills for their current job, for a different King County position, or to obtain a professional certificate, license, certification or pursue a degree or other training that is related to work performed at King County.

WHO MAY APPLY

Only those King County employees who meet ALL eligibility requirements below are eligible to apply:

A comprehensive leave benefited employee that is not a Term-Limited Temporary position
Represented by one of the unions in the Coalition of Unions, which will include employees who are in special duty positions that are represented by a union in the Coalition, AND the employee's special duty hire letter states that the duration of the assignment will be for six months or longer
Have completed a probationary period in a comprehensive leave benefited position
Have completed at least one year of full or part time King County employment in a comprehensive leave benefited position. This can include time spent in a Term-Limited Temporary position IF there is no break in service between positions
Have no documented performance or discipline issues for at least one year from date of application

If you are unsure if you meet these requirements, please check with your department HR staff.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Online responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required
Optional: Attaching a completed Individual Development Plan (IDP) or department Employee Development Plan (EDP) is encouraged, but not required. Examples of completed IDP's and other IDP resources can be found at the Professional Development Scholarship Program website.

INTERESTED IN ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OR IDP?

Go HERE for a MS Word version of the supplemental questionnaire where you can collect the required information and share it with people who can review it for completeness and clarity before you apply. They can also review your Individual Development Plan, should you choose to complete one. These people include your supervisor, HR or training staff, your department's Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (EIB) Manager, a mentor or others. You can also email Career Support Services at careersupportservices@kingcounty.gov or contact the Scholarship Program at scholarshipfund@kingcounty.gov.

If you would like help with the ESJ rating criteria question (#19) you can also reach out to your Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (EIB) Manager or to any of the county's ESJ Trainers by emailing kctraining@kingcounty.gov. You can also email careersupportservices@kingcounty.gov or scholarshipfund@kingcounty.gov. You can also view a short eLearning on diversity, equity inclusion, accessibility, and racial and social justice. Please feel free to seek assistance and do so well in advance of the application period closure date on June 4, 2023.

REVIEW and RATING PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and adherence to the scholarship policy guidelines. Responses to rating criteria questions #18 and #19 in the supplemental questionnaire, to include information outlined in an attached Individual (IDP) or Employee Development Plan (EDP), if submitting one, will be scored using the criteria HERE. To pass, individuals must score at least a two ("Meets Standard") or higher for EACH of the two rating criteria questions, which are also listed below.

RATING QUESTION #1: Please explain ( A ) your King County career goal; ( B ) the specific knowledge and skills you want to develop towards achieving your career goal; ( C ) how the training will help you with your career goal; and ( D ) several development activities you will pursue inside and/or outside of King County.

RATING QUESTION #2: Based on where you are in your own lived experience and unique journey, what ways have you or will you strive to bring more diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, or racial and social justice to your work? Please write your response below.

AWARD PROCESS:

The process that will be used to make awards is as follows:

All applicants who score a "2" or higher for each of the two rating criteria will be listed from lowest to highest hourly pay (if the employee is on special duty, their base pay, not special duty pay, will be used).
Beginning at the top of the "passing" list and moving down, awards will be made until the budget amount is spent for the period.
If there are more applicants than funds available, then the applicant's rating score and purpose of training will be used to award funds as detailed in the scholarship policy guidelines.

Award letters will be emailed to employees no later than July 21, 2023 and will include how to access their award. Those who do not pass the rating process or will not receive an award will be provided reasons why along with suggestions on how they might improve their application for next time, if applicable.

SCHOLARSHIP TERMS OF AGREEMENT, POLICY, PROCESS, and 2024 SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINES: Details about the scholarship Terms of Agreement, policy guidelines, process, 2024 timelines, FAQs, and more can be found on the Professional Development Scholarship Program website.

QUESTIONS: For questions please contact:

Susan Navetski

Scholarship Program Manager

206-477-3721

email. ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov

Website: www.kingcounty.gov/scholarships

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