Administrative Assistant Project

MARGARET (MARNIE) MCGRATH

**** ** **** ******, *******, Washington 98107 / 206-***-**** /

******.*******@*****.***

CAREER HISTORY

Senior Public Relations Specialist, City of Seattle Public Utilities,

Seattle, WA ~ 12/07 to present

Design and implement outreach programs to facilitate the involvement of

diverse communities affected by city projects. Role includes: producing

publications, planning public meetings, arranging for translation and

interpreter services.

Collaborate with project staff to write and distribute press releases and

coordinate media events for large and/or controversial SPU projects.

Provide day-to-day coaching and delegate work assignments for communications

student intern.

Communications Specialist 3, King County Dept. of Transportation, Seattle,

WA ~ 6/02 to 12/07

Coordinated production of newsletters, flyers and postcards about public

transportation projects, and tailored distribution process to ensure that

people most likely to be affected by the projects would be informed in

timely and effective manner.

Conducted public meetings to educate the public and/or to solicit feedback

about project plans and their economic, environmental and historical

consequences. Arranged for sign language and non-English language

interpreters as appropriate.

Supervised sounding boards and community advisory groups as part of overall

outreach programs designed to gain community input and support for

transportation projects.

Prepared thorough and concise reports documenting consensus and outcomes of

community outreach efforts.

Planner/Program Analyst 3, King County International Airport, Seattle, WA

~ 8/01 to 5/02

Provided staff support for the Airport Roundtable Advisory Committee and

coordinated community outreach meetings targeting the diverse neighborhoods

most impacted by airport noise.

Collaborated with Information Technology and Airport staff to edit and

maintain Airport Web site.

City Council Policy Aide, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN ~ 1/98 to

6/01

Hosted community workshops on topics such as housing development for

artists and the siting of commuter rail stations to facilitate fruitful

collaboration between government and stakeholders. Role included agenda

setting, media relations and event logistics.

Conducted research and developed reports outlining policy options and

implementation strategies as strategic advisor to City Council Member.

Drafted successful pre-application for Livable Community Grant which

resulted in $450,000 award to fund Crime Prevention Through Environmental

Design project on major commercial corridor.

Assisted with design and implementation of re-granting program for property

owners to leverage private investment along corridor.

Marketing Consultant, Freelance, Minneapolis, MN ~ 6/96 to 12/97

Created marketing proposals and collateral materials using desktop

publishing and worked with professional photographers and vendors to

produce final products for distribution to potential clients.

Maintained library of slides and other graphic resources for use in ongoing

promotion efforts.

Administrative Assistant, City of Shoreview, Shoreview, MN ~ 1/92 to 5/96

Staffed the Shoreview Human Rights Commission. My role included setting

agendas, facilitating meetings and serving as liaison between volunteer

commissioners, elected officials, and the public.

Staffed an advisory task force charged with identifying and prioritizing

steps needed to comply with the ADA, then prepared successful application

for Block Grant to fund necessary modifications.

Supervised Cable Technicians and directed and produced promotional video as

part of creative public relations campaign to finance and publicize annual

community festival.

Staff to Historic Preservation Commission and Committee on Urban

Environment, City of Minneapolis Planning and Public Affairs Depts,

Minneapolis, MN ~ 1/90 to 10/91

Organized and compiled information about city departments, policies and

services into a Citizens Handbook for citizen activists and neighborhood

groups.

Designed and produced brochures, flyers, newsletters and other publications

to communicate public policies and promote city programs and events.

Coordinated garden tours, architectural walking tours and annual award

programs to recognize citizens' efforts to improve the livability of

Minneapolis.

Researched historic properties, and prepared staff reports and agenda

packets for Historic Preservation Commission hearings.

Education and Training

Candidate, Master of Library and Information Science, University of

Washington, Seattle, Washington.

Certificate in Museum Studies, University of Washington, Seattle,

Washington.

Master of Arts in Public Administration, Hamline University, St. Paul,

Minnesota.

Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, Carleton College, Northfield,

Minnesota.

Professional development in Communication Strategies, Dispute Resolution,

and Negotiating Skills.

Acquired proficiency in digital photography, Internet research and a strong

working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PageMaker, and

PowerPoint.

Professional Affiliations

Member of the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board, 2003 - 2009.

Member of the Ballard Historical Society, 2006 - present.

Additional Accomplishments

Completed internship in Library Services at the Municipal Research and

Services Center, Seattle.

Wrote and compiled Processing Manual for Special Collections Archives at

Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle.

Co-founded the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association; role included

preparing application for 501C3 status, drafting by-laws, membership

guidelines and grant applications.

Completed Project BluePrint Construction Skills training in conjunction

with WomenVenture, and participated in reconstruction of a single-family

home for Habitat for Humanity.

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