City of Tacoma's Pilot Project Lead to a Great Hire
The City of Tacoma Human Resources Department wanted to develop a position similar to the one held by a long time employee at the Utilities Department as an Administrative Aide, and to expand the program to have similar department aides in other City business units. The HR Department wanted to become the pilot. An HR Analyst connected with Heather Evans, Manager of the Pierce County Program to select the right person for the job, and Kelly Kim was the perfect match (see related story). The City of Tacoma wanted to be the lead in what they hope to be a city wide department expansion of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities assisting in important office tasks.
Kelly Kim is instrumental in filing documents in employees’ HR files, an important role in making sure the department has each employees file up to date.
Gary Buchanan, Human Resources Director, said, “This is not a hand out – this is people with developmental disabilities benefiting the City. Kelly, it is a delight to have her, but she is fully integrated with the staff and we are the better for it. She participates at our department functions in a meaningful way.”
Wendy Hobson, HR Officer Manager, noted that, “Kelly takes the initiative” to help other units in the Human Resources department.