Seattle Jobs Initiative
Kevin O. currently serves as the Vice President of Operations at Seattle Jobs Initiative, a position held since October 2019, and also functions as the Seattle/King County WorkSource Integration Coordinator. Prior experience includes directing workforce development for Pioneer Human Services from March 2017 to October 2019 and managing various roles at Hopelink from October 2010 to March 2017. Early career experience includes serving as an Operations Assistant at My Sisters Pantry from 2006 to 2008. Kevin O. holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sociology from Central Washington University, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Management and Accounting from Kent State University, a Certificate in Multicultural Understanding from Shoreline Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Washington, and a Master of Business Administration in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University.
Seattle Jobs Initiative
At SJI we are deeply committed to empowering people to build careers by forming equitable partnerships that address structural racism to create a more impactful workforce system. Our vision is that every worker has a career that allows them, their family, and community to thrive. Partnerships and Career Pathways SJI offers individuals from under-invested communities career-start technical and performance skills training that leads to a career pathway in growing local industry sectors. We creatively align support services – such as career navigation, housing, childcare and transportation – to provide participants the best opportunity to complete their career journey and to secure and retain well-paying jobs. Individuals acquire the skills they need to advance out of poverty, while simultaneously meeting the needs of local businesses for a skilled workforce. Policy, Research and Evaluation Our team’s work complements our program efforts and allows us to achieve a far greater impact on low-income communities than we would be able to through program services alone. The overall objective of this work is to uncover and provide solutions to address the barriers that low-income individuals face in obtaining the education and jobs they need to advance out of poverty. Consulting and Technical Assistance The consulting team helps government, educational institutions, funders, workforce systems and providers to design, implement and fund more effective programs and services aimed at helping people access training, support and living-wage careers. SJI is the nation’s leading expert helping State and local governments and their provider partners operationalize and grow their SNAP E&T programs. SNAP E&T is a federal program supporting a flexible array of employment and training services and supports for individuals on SNAP (food assistance).