Seattle Information Technology

08/27/2026

🏆 Seattle just earned national recognition for putting equity at the center of city decisions.
The City's Racial and Social Equity (RSE) Index won Esri's Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award at the 2026 Esri User Conference. It's a proud moment for our whole community.
So, what is the RSE Index? It's a mapping tool that brings together data on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic conditions, and community health. City departments use it to see where disparities persist and to direct resources and programs where they're needed most.
Created in 2017, the index was a team effort—built in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), Seattle IT, the Mayor's Office, and the Office for Civil Rights. 🤝
"This award is especially meaningful because it reflects how teams across Seattle are using data to center equity in the decisions we make," said Rico Quirindongo, Director, OPCD. "We're pleased that the index is helping us move together toward more just and community-focused outcomes."
Want to see how equity priorities are distributed across Seattle neighborhoods? 🗺️ Explore the interactive RSE Index map and take a closer look at your community. https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2026/08/21/city-of-seattles-racial-and-social-equity-index-honored-with-special-achievement-in-gis-award/
Which neighborhood would you look up first?

08/14/2026

Ever tried to submit a leave request and had it vanish into an email black hole? 😅
At Seattle IT, this was a real problem. With 600+ employees and only two HR Business Partners handling every Leave and ADA request, scattered emails and chat messages made the process confusing and slow.
So our Service Design team got to work. 🚀
They evaluated and rebuilt a PowerApp portal that brings leave, ADA, and recertification requests into one clear, easy-to-use place. Then they tested it with real employees to find out what actually worked, and what didn't.
Here's what they fixed:
✅ Simpler navigation and smarter form design
✅ Clear, on-brand visuals that follow City style
✅ Confirmation steps so no one wonders "did that go through?"
The result? A big drop in back-and-forth emails to HR, and managers now point staff straight to the portal as standard practice. 🙌
Curious how human-centered design can transform a clunky process into something people love to use?
Read the full story here 👇
https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2026/08/14/automating-hr-leave-and-ada-requests-at-seattle-it/

Seattle IT is launching a new series highlighting some of the innovative projects shaping how our department delivers services across the city. Each installment will offer a behind-the-scenes look at various teams’ work, the challenges they’re tackling, and the solutions they’re building to im...

08/11/2026

🐾 Hold onto your whiskers, Seattle! Something fur-bulous is coming to City Hall tomorrow! 😻
Kitty Hall is pouncing into Seattle City Hall, and it's shaping up to be the most paw-some meow-nicipal event of the year. This is your purr-fect chance to make some seriously cute paw-litical history.
Here's what's in store for you:
🐱 Meet adorable, adoptable kitties looking for their fur-ever homes
📸 Snap paw-parazzi-worthy photos in a truly hiss-toric setting
🏛️ Feel the fur-bulous community vibes with fellow cat lovers
Don't be a scaredy-cat, this is one visit you'll be purring about for days! Round up your friends, clear your meow-ting schedule, and come join the fun.
Which floof are you most excited to meet? Tell us in the comments below! 👇

07/01/2026

The City of Seattle is hiring a Security Operations Manager to lead our cybersecurity team within Seattle IT's Security and Infrastructure Division.

In this role, you will report directly to the City's Chief Information Security Officer and lead a team of cybersecurity professionals to protect City services, data, and systems using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.

Key details:
Salary: $62.59–$93.90/hour (targeted up to $92.50/hour)
Work model: Hybrid, with a minimum of three days onsite per week at Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA)

Requirements: Seven years of IT experience with a significant cybersecurity focus, and five years of managerial experience
Preferred certifications: CISSP or CISM

Application requirements: Resume and cover letter
Apply before July 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/5391380/security-operations-manager

06/13/2026

🌡️ Round two of weekend heat tips, Seattle! Let's talk about the little ones who can't always tell us they're overheating: kids and pets.
Hot days hit them harder, so a few simple habits go a long way:
🚗 Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a minute. Temperatures climb fast.
🐾 Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset, and test the pavement with your hand. If it's too hot for your palm, it's too hot for their paws.
👒 Dress kids in light, loose clothing and keep sunscreen and shade handy.
💧 Set out fresh water for pets indoors and out.
It also helps to know the warning signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, or a fast heartbeat. If you spot these, move to a cool spot, sip water, and rest. If symptoms get worse or someone seems confused, call 911 right away.
You can find more guidance, plus cooling center locations, on our Heat Safety page: https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2026/06/12/keep-cool-and-stay-safe-with-the-city-of-seattle-heat-safety-webpage-3/
How are you keeping your kids and furry friends cool this weekend? Drop your tips below. 👇

People in the Seattle area are uniquely vulnerable to hot weather. Because the region has historically experienced mild summers, homes and businesses often lack cooling systems. To help area residents during heat waves, Seattle IT launched a webpage for heat safety on the City of Seattle’s website...

06/12/2026

☀️ Sunshine is on the way this weekend, Seattle, and so is a heat advisory.
We love a good sunny stretch as much as you do. Let's enjoy it, just smartly. A little planning keeps the weekend fun and safe for everyone.
Here are a few easy ways to beat the heat:
💧 Drink water often, even before you feel thirsty.
🕶️ Skip the peak sun hours, usually 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for outdoor activities.
🏡 Check on neighbors, older adults, and anyone without air conditioning.
🌬️ Cool off at a local library or cooling center when it gets too warm.
A quick text to a friend or a knock on a neighbor's door can make a real difference. That's the kind of community that makes Seattle great.
Want the full rundown on staying cool? Visit our Heat Safety page for tips, cooling center locations, and more: https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2026/06/12/keep-cool-and-stay-safe-with-the-city-of-seattle-heat-safety-webpage-3/
What's your go-to way to stay cool on a hot day? Share it below. 👇

People in the Seattle area are uniquely vulnerable to hot weather. Because the region has historically experienced mild summers, homes and businesses often lack cooling systems. To help area residents during heat waves, Seattle IT launched a webpage for heat safety on the City of Seattle’s website...

06/10/2026

🎉 Big news for Seattle's tech community! Please join us in welcoming Shannon Smith as the City of Seattle's new Chief Technology Officer.
Shannon is no stranger to Seattle. She brings more than 18 years of local government technology leadership across Seattle, Bellevue, and King County, with deep expertise in:
🤖 Artificial intelligence
📊 Data governance
🔒 Cybersecurity
During the COVID-19 response, Shannon led technology for King County–Seattle Public Health, helping keep essential services running, supporting community care, and expanding digital access for residents and businesses when it mattered most.
Now she's ready to help shape what comes next. "Technology is part of the backbone of the City's services," Shannon says. "Together, we can build systems and support that are transparent, efficient, and innovative." 🌐
Her vision puts people first: more accessible, equitable, and effective City services for everyone who calls Seattle home.

06/04/2026

Secure your spot on the trail and register today for the Seattle Animal Shelter’s 27th Annual Furry 5K! Join more than 1,000 neighbors and their pets on June 14 at Seward Park for a 3.1-mile fun run and walk — all to help provide care and support to Seattle’s pets and their families.

Stick around after the race for Paws in the Park, featuring a pet costume contest, vendors, entertainment, and more.

Register today at Furry5k.com and help give Seattle pets a second chance.

04/24/2026

Saturday, May 2 is Neighbor Day, and this year it is extra special! Neighbor Day 2026 kicks off the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ 35th Anniversary, a yearlong celebration of community, connection, and the power of neighbors working together. Say hi to a neighbor; pick up litter; host a potluck or block party. All kindness makes a difference. Share the ways you are being a good neighbor with or by tagging Seattle Department of Neighborhoods