Seattle Information Technology

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

03/19/2026

🌟 Bridging the Digital Divide in Seattle 🌟
We’re thrilled to announce the 2026 recipients! 🎉

11 amazing organizations will share $455,000 to provide digital skills, tools, and access to underserved communities—helping break barriers and connect 20+ language groups across Seattle.

👏 Congrats to the awardees for empowering our neighbors and building a more inclusive, connected city!
Let’s celebrate their work and continue striving for digital equity for all.
💻✨https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2026/03/19/city-of-seattle-announces-2026-technology-matching-fund-tmf-grants-to-community-organizations-tackling-digital-inequalities/

03/09/2026

Are you passionate about using technology to create a more inclusive community? The City of Seattle is seeking two GIS Accessibility Interns to help make our digital maps and services more accessible for residents with disabilities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:
Make a real difference in your community.
Gain valuable, hands-on experience in the tech field.
Contribute to shaping the future of inclusive technology in Seattle.

The application deadline is Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Don't miss your chance to be part of this important work.
Learn more about the positions and apply today by visiting our blog:

Digital maps shape how we all access city services, but not everyone can use them equally. Seattle IT’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team wants to change that. We’re hiring two GIS Accessibility Interns to help ensure Seattle’s digital maps are accessible to all—making a real differen...

03/03/2026

📢 Mark your calendars!
Seattle IT’s Jon Morrison Winters will be a featured panelist at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society’s webinar on March 11 at 3 PM ET.

The discussion will explore how broadband access and digital inclusion impact healthcare and how organizations can collaborate to create healthier, connected communities.

📺 Watch live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/?utm_campaign=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid
Let’s support Jon and learn how we can bridge the digital divide!

High-speed, affordable broadband is the infrastructure of opportunity. Our goal is to bring open, affordable, high-performance broadband to all people in the U.S. to ensure a thriving democracy. Benton believes that communications policy—rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity—has ...

03/03/2026

We’re hiring! The City of Seattle IT GIS team is looking for two motivated GIS Accessibility Interns to help make our city’s digital maps and apps inclusive for everyone.

This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of mapping technology and digital accessibility. You will help assess, remediate, and improve over 200 public-facing GIS applications to meet ADA and WCAG standards.

Position Details:
Role: Part-time Internship (2 openings)
Who can apply: Undergraduate or Graduate students
Duration: Up to 18 months or 3 months post-graduation

If you are passionate about public service and want to build technical skills that make a real difference, we want to hear from you.

📅 Deadline: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 4 p.m.

👉 Apply here: Student Internships & Workstudy | City of Seattle or www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/5248106/gis-accessibility-intern

The City of Seattle Information Technology (IT) Geographic Information System (GIS) team is seeking two motivated GIS Accessibility Interns to support our work in improving digital accessibility both in Seattle IT and in our client departments.Internship Information:This opportunity is for two part-...

02/05/2026

is a time to reflect on the incredible contributions of Black innovators in technology. From Katherine Johnson's groundbreaking work at NASA to Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson's telecommunications research that led to caller ID, Black excellence has shaped the tech world as we know it. Let's celebrate these trailblazers and continue to support the next generation of Black leaders in .