December 16, 2022 by Sound Publishing

BEST Kitsap’s

PLACES to WORK A SUPPLEMENT OF THE BAINBRIDGE ISL AND REVIEW, NORTH KITSAP HERALD, CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER & PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT

KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Celebrating Employers Kitsap County businesses represent the backbone of the community, striving to serve employees and customers with the utmost care and attention to their needs. In 2021, the preliminary civilian labor force in Kitsap County averaged 128,106 jobs, according to the Employment Security Department of Washington State (ESDWA). These businesses provide opportunities for leadership, growth, new challenges, work-life balance and economic stability to people in our communities. Our goal with this publication is to draw readers’ attention to the spectacular employers of Kitsap County who work hard to support and improve the community. Within this digest, find advertisements that highlight what businesses do best to recruit and appreciate their employees, along with resources, facts and stories on how to navigate the workforce. We believe our local businesses deserve a space for recognition and celebration of the opportunities and positive environments they provide workers with. Through their valiant efforts to supply members of the community with job opportunities, living wages and health benefits, they cultivate a bright and positive future for families and individuals. We commemorate the best places to work in Kitsap County as the foundations for happy and healthy lives here.

Publisher: Terry Ward Advertising Director: Eran Kennedy Sales Manager: Harmony Liebert Special Sections Editor: Alyssa Brown Section Designer: Han Bui Advertising Sales: Brenda Jorgens, Priscilla Wakefield, and Tyler Secrest Creative Artists: Tracy Long, Jake Haught, Mallory Stewart, and Han Bui Cover Credit: Away with Words, ChocoMo Chocolatier & Cafe, Olympic College

Best Places to Work’s Finalists & Winner of Best Employer The Best Place to Work in Kitsap County Thank you to the businesses and community members that participated in our first annual “Kitsap’s Best Places to Work.” In celebration of the support and opportunities local employers provide, we created this section and a friendly competition to highlight the best places to work in Kitsap County. The finalists for Best Place to Work are: Central Kitsap School District, Port Orchard Grocery Outlet, Swift Plumbing & Heating in North Kitsap and Town and County Market on Bainbridge Island.

The winner of this year’s Best Place to Work is… Town and Country Market on Bainbridge Island! Congratulations to the winner and finalists of the 2022 “Kitsap’s Best Places to Work.”

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KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

DECEMBER 2022

Track career progress by setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals By Alyssa Brown Setting goals for your career development can help create a deeper understanding of what you wish to accomplish. The creation of career-oriented goals, however, can be daunting and stressful. With a simplified breakdown, the task becomes much easier. Forming a roadmap for goals aids in maintaining accountability, motivation, and success. George T. Duran, president of Management Assistance Programs, a consultancy with headquarters in Idaho, created the concept of S.M.A.R.T. goals in 1981. This system lays out a guideline for the management of businesses to set achievable goals for encouraging better communication throughout the company. In his article, “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives,” Duran simplifies the goal setting process to decrease the stress and confusion of deciding on a desired path. Duran highlights that, rather than objectives representing a threat to management, the company should foster collaboration. S.M.A.R.T. goals have since been adopted for all forms of goal setting, providing reference for business-related and personal accomplishments.

S.M.A.R.T. is a clever acronym used to make the process of creating reachable goals more digestible. Each word is a helpful reminder when deciding on an objective. However, not all steps need to be included in the process; it is meant to be personalized for individual or organizational needs. The acronym stands for:

Specific

Try to be precise about what you want to achieve when setting a goal. Figure out the who, what, where, when, and why of the end result you’re looking for. In this first step, visualize the finish line rather than how you’re going to get there. Focus on creating your mission statement. Keeping the goal simple and breaking down the components will provide clarity for the next steps.

Measurable

Consider how you will visualize your progress. Figure out your metric. Will it be the amount of sales you get or visitors to your webpage? Maybe it’s keeping track of the days you’ve stayed on course towards your goal. Personalize your road map to success. Creating milestones will make the goal feel more attainable.

Assignable or Achievable

This step varies based on who is setting the goal — a business or individual. For a business, this step is about deciding who will do what to reach the objective. On a personal level, this step focuses on understanding how important the accomplishment is to you. Why do you want it? How will it benefit you? Build up your motivation for the journey ahead. Also consider what tools you will need to get there. Does your goal require new skills? What will you do to earn them?

Realistic

How can you make the objective more likely to happen? What resources are available to you that will propel you towards your desired goal? This may include classes available locally or digitally to gain a skill set necessary for the objective or researching to gain statistical knowledge on how likely you are to succeed in the desired position. Contemplate how much you will need to sacrifice in order to attain the goal. Do you have the time to spare for learning new skills or developing the plan? Do you have the money to purchase necessary equipment or education? These questions may bring light to more milestones you need to reach before the finish line.

Time-Related

Get a realistic idea of how long it will take you to reach your objective. Knowing the time frame for your goal is a vital step in maintaining the motivation required to achieve it. Once you have an end date in mind, plan for what should be completed by the halfway point. Having a set deadline initiates a sense of urgency for completing tasks. This step may seem stressful, however it is great practice for building time management skills — a foundation for achieving any goal. Combining the factors above will provide you with a detailed plan for reaching your initial goal. Having an idea is a great start, but breaking it down and considering all aspects of the process transforms the idea into a realistic plan. Instead of waiting for your dreams to come true, make them happen with preparation and motivation.  Source: Duran, G. T. (n.d.). There's a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management's goals and objectives. Management Information Systems - Temple University. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://bit. ly/3VJRW6P

KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Statistical breakdown of employment in Kitsap County Population and Job Quantity With a population of about 275,611 people and 6,016 employers in 2020, the area has seen an employment percent change of -1.1 percent from 2020 to 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. There has been a decrease in the unemployment rate from 7.7 percent in 2020 to 5 percent in 2021, according to the Employment Security Department of Washington State (ESDWA).

46.7 percent. Female-dominated industries included health care and social assistance, finance, insurance, and educational services. Maledominated sectors included construction, mining, manufacturing and transportation and warehousing.

Average Wages and Income According to the ESDWA, the 2020 median hourly wage was $24.11 — less than the state’s median of $29.28. The poverty rate in 2021 was 8.3 Labor force employment rates (by sector) percent, below the state (9.5 percent) and the nation (11.4 percent), Nonfarm jobs in Kitsap County averaged 91,400 in 2021 with a total according to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. job gain of 900 from 2020, according to the ESDWA. The amount of Sources: nonfarm workers remains below pre-pandemic levels with 95,300 jobs Employment Security Department of Washington State. Labor in 2019. Market Information. Employment Security Department Washington Employment Based on Age and Gender State. esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo In 2020, ages 14-24 dominated the accommodation and food services U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). Kitsap County, Washington. U.S. Census industry with a strong presence in retail trade. Employees 55 and older Bureau. https://bit.ly/3UqSwp8 were mainly represented in mining, utilities, educational services, real U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. (2021). QuickFacts Kitsap County, estate, rental and leasing and transportation and warehousing. Females Washington. U.S. Census Bureau. https://bit.ly/3Umnz5r accounted for 53.3 percent of the labor force and males accounted for

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DECEMBER 2022

Consider earning a bachelor’s degree from a community college By Alyssa Brown Thinking about going back to school to further your career, but worried about the time and money? Consider enrolling in a bachelor degree program at a participating community college near you. According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), about 20,700 students earned their bachelor’s degree from a community college in 2018 to 2019. Washington is one of 24 states that allow students to pursue bachelor degree programs at community colleges. However, the quantity of participating institutions varies by state. As of 2022, 30 of 34 community and technical colleges in Wasington state offer about 140 applied science and nursing degree programs. In 2021, about 9,500 students graduated from these programs, helping Washington state become one of the national leaders in community college baccalaureates. Earning a bachelor’s degree at a community college is a more affordable option for working toward a desired career path or starting a new one. According to a study by the College Board about trends in college pricing and student aid in 2021, the published tuition price for a public in-state university was $10,740 while the cost for a public local community college was $3,800. The average annual tuition for an applied baccalaureate in Washington is $7,143, according to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Additionally, an estimated 80 percent of graduates are employed after three years of enrollment with a median yearly wage of $55,000. These programs are career oriented, focusing on practical knowledge and application to prepare students for industries with high

Smiling graduates anticipate their long awaited ceremony for the completion of their programs, receiving a bachelor’s degree or a guaranteed admission into a fouryear university. (Photo provided by Olympic College)

demand, such as health care or engineering. Some provide internship opportunities and on-site training to ensure students have the tools they need to succeed in their job field. New America conducted a national study in 2021 finding that more than 30 percent of Washington students majored in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Majors in business followed with nearly 25 percent, health care and nursing with 23 percent and education at about 22 percent. Community colleges offer a more diverse student body with many students returning to education, pursuing another degree or just starting their journey. According to the AACC, about 56 percent of community college students in 2021 were older than 22; 36 percent were between ages 22-39, and 8 percent were 40 and older. The main demographics of students enrolled in community college were 44 percent white, 27 percent hispanic and 13 percent black. Moreover, 29 percent of students were the first generation in their families to attend college, 20 percent were individuals with

disabilities and 15 percent were single parents. Community colleges seek out partnerships with other institutions to aid students in their pursuit of knowledge. Olympic College partners with several other universities, inperson and online, to offer more opportunities for students to earn their Bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Some community colleges, such as Olympic College and Peninsula College, offer guaranteed transfer admissions based on degree and GPA to their partnering institutions, like Western Washington University; Providing students with the opportunity to transfer to a university hassle free after completing their two years with the community college. Pursuing a degree is a vital foundation for receiving higher paid positions and acceleratinggrowthinacareerpath.Everyone’s situation is unique and requires new methods of obtaining higher education. Baccalaureate programs in community colleges are paving the way for more attainable education and equal job opportunities for disadvantaged members of the community.  Sources: American Association of Community Colleges. (2021). AACC Fast Facts 2021. American Association of Community Colleges. https://bit.ly/3VL86gb College Board. (2021) Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid in 2021. College Board. https://bit.ly/3Vvpt4Y Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. (2022). Understand College Costs. Washington Community and Technical Colleges. https://bit.ly/3XSNTH3

KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Employment & Career Development Resources in Kitsap County

Sound Publishing is an AMAZING place to work Hi, my name is Harmony Liebert and I work for Sound Publishing. I am here to share my story and tell you why I believe that this company is truly one of the most amazing places to work, not only in Kitsap County, but Washington state entirely. I have been working in this industry for over 22 years and can not imagine doing anything else. This place of business quickly became my extended family showing me passion, integrity, loyalty and truth. These attributes form the culture that is found in each of our many local offices. Working for Sound Publishing has given me the opportunity to really connect with the many businesses and organizations in these small communities. I can tell you, no two days are ever the same here. I am constantly challenged to do my best amidst performing a job that truly matters and makes a difference in the lives of community members. My leaders and team help me to be more creative and think outside of the box each and every day. They are always encouraging me to reach beyond my limits and I do the same for them. During my career with Sound Publishing, I have been given room to grow and have since advanced in my career taking on a management position. I am so thankful to have taken that leap. Working here has been a gift. It has allowed me to get to know the communities that have helped raise me and my family for which I am forever grateful.

REVIEW BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

If you’re interested in joining our team, please email your cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: careers@soundpublishing.com and be sure to include ATTN: NK/SK/CK Sales in the subject line. Sound Publishing, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workplace. Visit our website, www.soundpublishing. com for more information. Sound Publishing offers competitive hourly wages and benefit packages including • paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays) • 401k with employer match Use the code below to learn more about the many job opportunities here at Sound Publishing:

BREMERTON

SILVERDALE

Aerotek — aerotek.com

Olympic Peninsula Personnel, Inc.

Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) kcr.org

Academy of Entrepreneurship with Ralls Enterprises International Inc. reiicorp.com/seap-wa

An employment agency with a location olyjobs.com in Bremerton that provides skill training A licensed staffing and employment agenopportunities, job search tools and resources cy offering temporary, temp-to-hire and for contractors. permanent job placement services on the Kitsap Peninsula. The agency provides job Ameri-Force Craft Services, Inc. placement services for various industries inameriforce.com/about-ameri-force cluding: accounting, administration, medical, Supplying staffing services for industries legal, retail, clerical and more. such as ship construction and repair, aerospace and defense, heavy and light Trillium Employment Services industrial construction, energy production trillium.org and utilities, disaster recovery, oil and gas, A business resource for Washington environmental, and general labor. companies to build an inclusive workforce and assist with staffing efficiencies. Trillium Express Employment Professionals supports business recruitment, training expresspros.com and the advancement of employees with Provides resources for finding developmental disabilities. employment, developing a career, getting through the hiring process and navigating Worksource Kitsap employee benefits without a fee for service. worksourcewa.com Offers access to thousands of jobs and Let’s Work Together, LLC. advanced job search tools, as well as a letsworktogetherllc.com partnership with the state and nonprofit This program provides opportunities for organizations to provide employment employment with services and tools for and training services to job seekers and short-term and long-term job seekers in employers in Washington state. the community. Services include resume support, soft skills training, safety training, WASHINGTON STATE certifications and contract services.

A nonprofit agency offering social services to low-income Kitsap County residents through resources in various fields such as financial and business education, housing and energy assistance that promote selfsufficiency and stability.

PORT ORCHARD

These courses help you learn how to start, sustain and grow your new or existing business as an entrepreneur. Simple Startup Courses with the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship — cie-nw. org Courses provide training, one-on-one advising and support to help you build a business from idea to establishment.

Kitsap County Personnel Department — bit.ly/3iyndeI

Small Business Planning Program through Enterprise for Equity Providing assistance for veterans and enterprise-for-equity.org retired individuals, as well as programs in workforce development and Developmental Disabilities.

POULSBO

This intensive, multi-week program covers marketing, operations and financial planning to get participants ready to run a successful business.

Washington State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) Recruiting agency for the Puget Sound des.wa.gov

West Sound Workforce westsoundworkforce.com

INDEPENDENT PORT ORCHARD

360-779-4464 KitsapDailyNews.com | BainbridgeReview.com

Offers one-on-one professional career region providing temporary, temp-to-hire, coaching programs, training programs, selfdirect hire and HR services. help resources, certified wellness coaching and certified financial coaching. This list compiles some of the many employment resources in Kitsap County. It does not cover all agencies available, so be sure to research options in your area.

DECEMBER 2022

KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

Becoming a Career Detective By Harriet Parsons The thought of finding the right job or ideal career can be daunting. People often find themselves feeling stuck whether they are newly graduated or contemplating a career change. A great place to start is to become a detective in your own life. The question, “What are your strengths?” can send people into a weird headspace. It’s not necessarily a bad question, however it’s a tough one. People don’t find it easy to acknowledge their strengths and get uncomfortable at the idea of bragging. Listing strengths can also be a red herring; what you excel at may not be what brings you joy. Instead, try asking yourself questions such as: What do I gravitate towards? What do I like to spend time doing? For example, I’ve always enjoyed asking questions and loved listening to other people’s stories. You might instead geek out on data and numbers or feel your best when surrounded by nature. Ask yourself if you work best surrounded by people or on your own? If you still feel adrift, switch your focus to what you don’t want. Do you hate the idea of presenting to a large group, working for hours at a desk or not being of service to others? What you don’t want gives you an idea of what might work for you. Getting to know your values can also offer clues. You might have a top value of creativity. How could a role honor and let you express this value? Being aligned with your values and having the opportunity to express them leads to a greater sense of fulfillment. Get support. You can narrow down your options by taking an online career aptitude test, speaking with a careers advisor or by hiring a coach to partner with you. If you already have a few leads, you can take your investigation to the next level by asking: What sort of people do I like being around? What is going to be important for me in terms of company culture or environment? Network. Remain open in your exploration. Who do you know that works in fields of interest to you? No job is perfect, so you’ll want to ask them how they find joy in the work they do. What’s the upside and what are the pitfalls? Practice self-compassion. You might not find the ideal role this time around. Many of us have meandering and messy paths

to get to what feels right and even then it can change. Let go of the shoulds: thinking it should be easier and you should automatically know what you want. A lot of hard work can go into finding and refining the right fit for us. Many people will offer advice on what you should be doing based on what they know about you and the opportunities they have experienced and missed out on. Feel free to take on board all the useful tips and leave the rest behind. You can’t control everything, but less stress will make navigating the process easier. What do you need to let go of to make it more enjoyable?  For more information and consultation, visit harrietparsonscoach.com

Love Where You Work! Start a rewarding career serving Kitsap County! Great benefits, pension, and a work/life balance!

Kitsap County Government Apply today! www.kcowa.us/jobs

KITSAP’S BEST PLACES TO WORK

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