Contact:
Meghan Jordan Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II Communications Supervisor
Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-3918 425-388-6413
Snohomish County Public Works Awarded Employer of the Year by Right-of-Way Industry Association
Honored for its commitment to employee membership, financial support and professional development.
EVERETT, Wash., June 22, 2022 – As the Puget Sound region grows rapidly, so does the need to expand the transportation network. Sometimes this requires Snohomish County to purchase right-of-way from property owners. Snohomish County Public Works prides itself on employing diligent, respectful, and knowledgeable right-of-way professionals. The Puget Sound Chapter of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) has awarded Snohomish County Public Works with the 2021-2022 Employer of the Year. The department was honored at an awards ceremony held on June 1.
“Snohomish County was selected because of the significant contributions it has made to the IRWA,” said the Chapter’s Nominations, Elections and Special Awards Committee in an email. “This includes requiring employee membership, financial support for education and credentials, and encouraging professional development.”
“We value the knowledge our employees have gained from IRWA,” said Janice Fahning, Snohomish County Engineering Services Director. “The association’s expertise has contributed to our ability to provide a high level of service for our community when purchasing property needed for public projects in an efficient and cost-effective way, while achieving the best financial outcome for impacted property owners.”
Snohomish County Public Works has been involved with IRWA for decades. The International Right of Way Association (IRWA) is a global, member-led organization of dedicated professionals within the right-of-way industry. Established in 1934 as a not-for-profit association, IRWA's purpose has always been to improve people's quality of life through infrastructure development.
In 2017, Public Works was honored by the same association for “Project of the Year” for its work on the Seattle Hill Rd project.
About Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201. Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks or follow the department on Facebook and Twitter for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.