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Before You Begin

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Congratulations on your new position at the Port! We’re excited to welcome you and want to help you feel confident and prepared before your first day. This page provides helpful information as you begin your new role.

Get to Know the Port

Founded in 1911, the Port of Seattle promotes economic opportunity and regional quality of life through trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible way. Use the following links to learn more about the Port and how your role fits into the bigger picture.

First Steps: What to Expect

When you start at the Port, your first big focus will be getting to know your team, our current systems and process, and how everything fits together. Your supervisor/manager will walk you through your early assignments, key goals, and how your work supports your department and the Port’s broader mission.

Welcome from Our Executive Director

Hello! I am Executive Director Steve Metruck, and I am excited to welcome you to the Port of Seattle.

For over 100 years, we have been proud stewards of public assets and public trust. Here at the Port, we are a special purpose government and public service is at the heart of everything we do. That responsibility guides how we work together and how we serve others through our RAISE values: Respect, Anti-Racism and Equity, Integrity, Stewardship, and Excellence.

There is a lot of pride here. Every day, your work will make a real difference—helping travelers reach their destinations safely, supporting maritime and aviation industries, and expanding opportunities for communities across our region. I believe that you will come to see the Port as a place where you can thrive personally and professionally. There are extraordinary opportunities here for development, networking, and innovation.

Please take time to meet colleagues, ask questions, and explore how your role connects to our mission. You will find a culture that embraces safety, service, sustainability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Thank you for choosing public service at the Port of Seattle.

I look forward to all we will accomplish together.

Your First Day at a Glance

Your first day will vary depending on your department, but here’s what most new hires experience:

Welcome by your manager
Meet with HR to complete required Federal Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
Work with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) team to set up your system access, and receive equipment, depending on your role.
Obtain an ID badge (or begin the badging process if you need an Airport badge)
Meet your team and get a tour of your workspace
Begin some onboarding tasks like completing your W-4, setting up direct deposit and updating your emergency contacts
You may also begin enrolling in your benefits.

Where to Go

Your manager or a department representative will confirm exactly when and where to arrive and who to ask for, but here’s a quick guide to our two primary work locations:

Pier 69 – Port of Seattle Headquarters

Address: 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
Parking and Validation: Park in any available, unrestricted space in the Bell Street Pier Parking Garage (9 Wall Street). Your ticket can be validated at the front desk in the Pier 69 lobby by providing your name and ticket upon departure. Front desk hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Location Tip: Be aware of the active train tracks between Alaskan Way and Elliott Ave. Please use caution when crossing the tracks and obey all traffic signals. If a stopped or slow-moving train blocks access to cross the road, walking bypass routes include the Olympic Sculpture Park or the Bell Harbor Pier 66 skybridge/elevator.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – Airport Office Building (AOB)

Address: 17801 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98158
Parking and Validation: Park in the SEA garage on floors 1-3 or 5-8. The green section (rows S-W) is the closest to the AOB. Your ticket can be validated at the Conference Center reception desk. Reception desk hours: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Location Tip: The Airport Office Building (AOB) is at the south end of the airport main terminal on the mezzanine level. Take the stairs or elevator behind security checkpoint #2.

Other Port Locations

If your role is at Marine Maintenance, STOC, or other assigned work location, your manager or team will reach out to provide these details.

Port of Seattle Sites - Google My Maps

What to Bring

Important: Remember to bring all required documents with you on your first day!

For Federal Form I-9

Choose from the list of acceptable documents:

An unexpired document from List A OR
One unexpired document from List B AND one unexpired document from List C.

For your Port of Seattle ID Badge

Bring both:

An unexpired passport, Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), Certified Birth Certificate, Employment Authorization Card, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship AND
An unexpired photo identification such as driver’s license, state ID card or tribal document

For a Parking Card and/or ORCA transit pass

The Port provides employees with subsidized parking access cards to the Port-owned garage at their assigned work location. If you would like to request a Parking Card, have your license plate number readily available.
The Port also subsidizes the One Regional Card for All (ORCA) transportation pass for employees. You will be able to enroll in an ORCA card on your first day.

Both typically take a few days to process.

Explore your Total Rewards

Represented employees: Benefits under several categories below differ for employees represented by a labor union. Refer to your respective collective bargaining agreements to learn more about benefits specific to your bargaining unit.

Understanding your benefits early helps you make informed decisions and prepares you with questions for Total Rewards Benefits Orientation.

Healthcare and Wellness

Benefits take effect the first day of the month following your start date, unless you are hired on the first day of the month. You must enroll within 30 days of hire to receive benefits.

Life & Disability Insurance

Benefits take effect the first day of the month following your start date, unless you are hired on the first day of the month. You must enroll within 30 days of hire to receive benefits.

Retirement Plans

PERS: Public Employees’ Retirement System - You have 90 days from your start date to select PERS 2 or PERS 3; if you do not select it will default to PERS Plan 2. If you are already in DRS, your plan will remain in effect.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan - a voluntary tax-deferred payroll deduction savings plan for all non-represented and represented employees
401(a) Supplemental Savings Plan – If you are a non-represented employee and choose to participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan, the Port will contribute pre-determined matching funds into a 401(a) Supplemental Savings Plan after completion of six months of employment.

Commuter Benefits - Available to sign up for starting day one:

Subsidized Employee Garage Parking
Subsidized ORCA cards
Ferry Reimbursement
Employee Vacation Parking
Teleworking and Flexible Work Arrangements

Time Off, Leaves, and Paydays

Payday and Port Holiday Calendar – The pay schedule is bi-weekly
Paid Time Off (PTO) - may be used after completion of the six-month probation period
Sick Leave – accrued balance may be used after 30 days of employment
Personal Day - may be used after completing the probationary period
Paid Parental Leave
Family Medical Leave Act and Washington State Family Care Act
Shared Leave Program

Learn, Grow, and Get Involved

We’re committed to supporting your growth. Through our Talent Development programs, you’ll find opportunities such as training courses, committees, internal internships, and stretch assignments. You can also connect with colleagues through our Employee Resource Groups—employee led communities open to all Port employees.

Onboarding Training and Orientation

Every new employee completes a set of required training courses, most of which are online. Various subjects include health and safety, compliance, information security, equity, public disclosure and record retention, and Port policies. Depending on your position, you may have additional requirements. You will be provided with time to complete all your training.

You’ll also attend an in-person half-day Port-wide New Employee Orientation (PNEO). It’s usually held within your first 30 days and gives you a great overview of our mission, history and culture, and how we operate.

Questions?

If you still have questions or need support before your first day, please reach out to your manager or the HR representative who has been working with you through the hiring process. We’re glad you’re here and can’t wait to welcome you on your first day.

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