Karen Grabeel, chair of the Kirkland Civil Service Commission, said she was appointed a little over a year ago and that the commission’s work centers on testing and workforce issues for the city’s police and fire departments.

Grabeel, a retired nurse administrator and healthcare consultant, told interviewer Penny Sweet that she joined the commission after participating in the inaugural Kirkland Initiative and chose civil service because of its overlap with statutory and collective-bargaining frameworks that affect public-safety staffing.

"I was a part of the Kirkland Initiative, the, inaugural Kirkland Initiative," Grabeel said. "And so I then looked at what commission would best fit my background. And, when I hit on civil service, I thought, I think that would be the best match because I am a retired nurse administrator and healthcare consultant." She added, "I am happy to say I was appointed about a little over a year ago."

Grabeel said the commission is "concerned with the police and the fire workforce, with the testing that happens so that we can have a robust workforce and give them the tools and resources that they need so that they can protect and serve the community in the best possible way." She referenced the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) as the statutory framework that shapes collective-bargaining and staffing processes for public safety.

She said the commission’s work is collaborative, praising leaders in the Kirkland Fire Department and the police department and noting the role of the city liaison. "Lauren is the city liaison that I work with. And Lauren is new to the commission but extremely talented and has experience from other roles," Grabeel said. She described the commission’s operations as like "a symphony," with different participants performing distinct roles to reach good outcomes.

Sweet, the interviewer, closed the segment by thanking Grabeel and saying the city was "lucky" to have her in the role.

This was an informational interview; the segment recorded background about the chair and the commission’s priorities rather than any formal motions, votes or policy decisions.