Working in a COVID-19 world; here’s the latest

Kathy Davis
Communications

Since the COVID-19 pandemic upended many of our daily routines, WSDA has adapted to a stream of changing circumstances no static playbook could ever address. And the situation keeps changing.

Months into this global crisis, what do our work lives look like, and what can we expect going forward? And what is expected of us?

Based on where we are today, here’s a look the latest guidance for WSDA employees. But the nature of this virus requires us to be flexible and adaptable. As the situation changes, our guidelines, plans and requirements also may need to evolve.

Jobsite requirements and responsibilities

Many WSDA employees have continued to support the essential business of agriculture by conducing inspections, staffing labs, or doing other onsite work. Some may have to report to agency offices, regularly or for occasional visits.

These employees are expected to follow the practices described below that prevent and slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace.

Self-screening – Employees must complete a COVID-19 symptom self-screening and submit confirmation to their supervisor each day they are scheduled to work at an agency office or other jobsite. The online screening tool and instructions for can be found on the Resources for Employees webpage.

Face covering - All employees must wear face coverings for work, unless you are working alone, for instance in a vehicle by yourself. See this Labor & Industries webpage for what “working alone” means. This is a state requirement.

Face coverings can be temporarily removed when eating or drinking. Store your face covering when not in use, such as in a clean plastic bag.

Social distancing - Stay at least six feet away from coworkers and the public, whenever possible. Eat meals, perform activities, or take breaks in shifts to reduce group size and maintain distance.

Social distancing requirements apply to workstations, common areas, restrooms, entrances and exits, and potential choke points where the risk of close contact increases.

Personal hygiene - Wash hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.

Limit touching your face, including mouth, nose, and face covering. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and promptly dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow.

Cleaning and sanitizing - Regularly clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, counter tops and doorknobs. Use disposable disinfectant wipes, if available, to wipe down surfaces before and after use.

Sick employees

Stay home if you are feeling sick. Anyone who has a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms associated with COVID-19 must stay home for 72 hours after symptoms are gone. Complete the online employee self-screening tool to check for symptoms.

WSDA has developed protocols and a contact tracing tool to respond quickly when an employee is confirmed or presumed to have COVID-19. These tools are available on the agency’s COVID-19 resources intranet page.

More guidance

Meetings and travel – Keep non-essential business travel to a minimum. Limit in-person meetings; go virtual as much as possible. Use Skype, WebEx, conference calls or other secure technology for meetings and collaboration.

Feeling stressed? – The state Employee Assistance Program provides lots of resources to address effects on emotional and mental health and well-being of state employees and their families. Along with resources and links, EAP offers live and recorded webinars on self-care and other topics.

Stay informed – Again, the circumstances and the guidance around COVID-19 will likely keep evolving and changing. Keep up with the latest by following WSDA communication tools, such as this Insider blog, the weekly Connect e-bulletin, and the agency’s intranet.

Pay attention to email messages from the Director’s Office, Human Resources, and your division or program leaders. For the most up-to-date information on Washington State’s response, check coronavirus.wa.gov.

Ultimately, it is up to all of us individually, pulling together, to stop the spread of this deadly virus. We are all in this together – doing our part to keep ourselves, coworkers, customers, families and communities safe.

In summary: Since the COVID-19 pandemic upended much of our normal daily routines, WSDA has adapted to ever changing circumstances. Months into this, what do our work lives look like, and what can we expect going forward? And what is expected of us? This blog post presents the latest guidance for WSDA employees. 

Debbie Hacker, longtime WSDA employee, set to retire

Kathy Davis
Communications

Debbie Hacker started working for Washington State government when she was a high school senior in 1982. 

She was hired by the WSDA Grain Inspection Program in 1989 and has served as the executive assistant to the agency’s deputy director for several years. Debbie’s last day at WSDA will be July 31, as she heads into retirement. 

The Insider asked Debbie to reflect on her years of public service and her career at WSDA. 

What brought you to WSDA?  

Back in the day (I sound like my grandma), hiring was done a little differently than it is now. You could take a test to have your name put on registers for future job openings. WSDA was looking for an administrative assistant for the Grain Inspection Program and I was called to interview.  

One embarrassing side note – when I got the call, I thought they said the “drain inspection” program. I didn’t admit that for several years.

Why did you want to work here?  

I interviewed with Bob Gore and it was the most relaxed I had ever been in an interview, so I thought it would be a good fit. Bob and I worked together for 21 years, working our way up through WSDA, including nine months in the Director’s Office.

What was your first impression of WSDA?  

It didn’t feel like any state agency I had ever experienced. Only about 15 of us worked in a small office in west Olympia containing administration for Commodity Inspection, Grain, Fruit and Vegetable and the grain lab. I wasn’t used to having most of your staff located in field offices around the state. 

What has surprised you most about working here?  

I was surprised by the broad range of everything we are involved in. For instance, when the Lottery was less automated and they used ping pong balls to draw the numbers, WSDA had to certify the weight of the ping-pong balls. I always found that interesting.

Debbie, far right, with other 2014 WASDA meeting planners. From left are
Leisa Schumaker, Megan Finkenbinder, Becca Sotelo, Joe Bippert, Rianne
Perry, and Tracie Lindeblom. 

What specific project or incident has been the most memorable?   
I really enjoyed being on planning committees for national and regional (state agriculture departments association) meetings - NASDA in Seattle (2007) and WASDA in Leavenworth (2014). You attend so many meetings to plan and sometimes it’s frustrating to be in the 35th one going over minute details. Who’s going to pick up ice for the water coolers on the bus tours? But then the meetings happen, and it’s all worth the work.

What has been most challenging about working at WSDA?  

Anyone who sits near me (like Megan) knows that I can’t handle animal stories to the point that I put my hands over my ears. It has proved challenging at times and almost always leads to questions about why I chose to work at the Department of Agriculture. Luckily I spent most of my time in Commodity Inspection - no animal issues there.

What might others be surprised to know about you?  

Well, I’ve had a few interesting interactions with governors during my career. I once may or may not have dozed off during a meeting when Gov. Booth Gardner was speaking in a rather small conference room…not good!  

I also found Gov. Gardner’s dog once. He followed me back to the office and when I finally read his tag, I decided I should probably call someone. His name was Charlie (named after former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer). I called the number on Charlie’s tag and a state trooper came and picked him up. He was apparently a free-range pup. One of the restaurants downtown ran a tab for treats he received when he visited.  

In her backyard bar, where she "plans to spend a
lot of evenings!" Cheers, Debbie; we'll miss you!

Gov. Gregoire used to call and say “Hello, this is Chris.” I had not taken calls from any governor before moving to the Director’s Office, so I asked for her last name. She replied “It’s Gregoire; do you need me to spell it?” I only made that mistake once.

What’s next? What are some things you plan to do after leaving the agency?  

I have lots of home and yard projects that have been waiting for me. My husband and I have two adorable granddaughters that we love spending time with. We like to go RV’ing and host family events.  

Not working will definitely take some getting used to. So, if I show up at the NRB after July 31, kindly remind me that I don’t work there anymore.

In summary: After a 31-year career at WSDA, Debbie Hacker is retiring at the end of July. She worked her way up from an admin assistant in the Grain Program to the Director’s Office, where she is executive assistant to the deputy director. Read her reflections on her long career. 

Hiring summer intern is win-win for WSDA program

Kathy Davis
Communications

Anna Howard

WSDA’s Animal Feed Program is in the home stretch of a five-year effort to meet federal regulatory standards. To help carry them over the finish line, program staff hired a college intern for the summer. The arrangement is a win-win, for the program and the intern.

After recruitment and a virtual interview process, the program hired Anna Howard. 

Anna is a recent graduate of the University of Washington-Tacoma, where she majored in healthcare leadership. As a student, she conducted research into healthcare delivery for minorities and was granted a research scholarship. 

She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health, studying food security and safety. 

“I’m incredibly excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Anna said. “I’m hopeful this position will allow me to gain a better understanding of the role that state and federal government have in regulating animal feed and ensuring public health and safety.”

Anna is helping the Animal Feed Program prepare for an in-depth audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August. The audit caps off the last year of the five-year cooperative agreement to meet rigorous federal standards. 

The Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards establishes consistent quality among the nation’s feed regulators. The set of 11 standards covers activities such as inspections, sampling, recalls, emergency response, laboratory services, training and outreach. 

“We thought this would be a great opportunity for an up-and-coming professional,” said Ashlee-Rose Ferguson, program coordinator and Anna’s supervisor. “Anna is gaining valuable experience in project management, food safety, public administration, agriculture and communications.”

Working on the regulatory standards project is giving Anna an immersive education in the government’s role. 

“I appreciate being able to work closely with experienced program staff, learning about their roles and what it’s like to work for an agency like WSDA,” she noted. 

If other WSDA programs are interested in building an internship program, contact Ashlee-Rose Ferguson. 

In summary: WSDA’s Animal Feed Program hired a college intern this summer to help complete a five-year project of meeting rigorous federal standards, culminating in an in-depth audit in August. Meet Anna Howard and learn how she is gaining valuable experience, while helping the program. 

Tina Zimmerman earns prestigious management leadership award

Kathy Davis
Communications

Christina (Tina) Zimmerman led her team to streamline processes that cut pesticide licensing renewal time from more than 60 days to an average of only two days. 

That’s just one of the accomplishments that earned Tina a 2020 Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management. 

She is the manager of the Pesticide Licensing Program and was one of 21 state agency managers honored with the award last month for “hard work, dedication and measurable success on 2019 projects.” 

Since moving from her home state of Hawaii to join WSDA in April 2017, Tina has spearheaded a number of innovations. Her program licenses more than 30,000 pesticide applicators in Washington State, and provides testing and certification to support them. 

“Over the past three years, working for and alongside so many dedicated and knowledgeable WSDA employees, partners, and industry stakeholders has been a pleasure and sometimes a challenge,” Tina said. 

“This program would not have accomplished as much as it had in the last year without their guidance and input. I’m excited to see what the next few years will bring for this program.” 

Top achievements

She was instrumental in providing a credit card payment option for online license renewals. Licensees and their employers had been asking for this convenience for years. 

Tina and her team worked through the complexities and glitches to bring the 18-month project to fruition. (Read more about it in this Insider blog post.) Now, 75 percent of business licensees and 40 percent of all other licensees renew online with the credit card function. 

Tina also wrote WSDA’s new Pesticide Certification and Training Plan. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required this plan under rules adopted in 2017. States had not had to update these plans in more than 40 years. 

Tina facilitated planning calls and stakeholder workshops, worked with EPA and neighboring states, wrote the entire 250-page plan, and submitted it on time in March.

“This was a huge undertaking and Tina embraced the challenge, producing a document we believe exceeds EPA’s requirements,” said Robin Schoen-Nessa, assistant director of the Pesticide Management Division. 

Currently, Tina is leading the rebuild of her program’s 20-year-old licensing database. The goal of this multi-year project is to provide a more user-friendly portal for licensees and more efficient tool for agency staff. 

“This honor is so well-deserved,” noted Robin. “Tina’s competence and friendly demeanor make her a pleasure to work with. She is respected and well-liked.”

Tina cites a Henry David Thoreau quote to sum up her leadership approach - “The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked what I thought, and attended to my answer.”

Other WSDA nominees

Every year, the Governor’s Office solicits nominations for these prestigious leadership awards. Earlier this year, WSDA nominated four agency managers for the award. Besides Tina, the following managers were nominated by their assistant directors.

• Brenda Book, Organic Program Manager, Food Safety and Consumer Services Division
• Paula Moore, Seed Program Manager, Commodity Inspection Division
• Natasha Roberts, Budget Manager, Financial Services 

In summary: Christina (Tina) Zimmerman was one of 21 state agency managers to receive the Governor’s Leadership in Management Award this year. Read about the accomplishments that earned her this prestigious recognition. 

Kevin Greene finishes long, varied career

Kathy Davis
Communications

Kevin Greene will close out a diverse 50-year career on June 30, when he retires as WSDA’s chief technology officer. Kevin joined the agency in 2016 as our contracts and procurement manager, and spent the past 18 months as CTO.

Starting life on a Kansas farm, Kevin’s job history includes military service, electronics, customer service, marketing, engineering, contracting and technology.

“I say I haven’t been able to decide what I want to do when I grow up,” he cracked. 

He studied electronics and taught and maintained aircraft electronics in the Navy. He went back to college and got a teaching degree. 

But instead of the classroom, he became a field engineer and then a sales manager for a high-tech business in Oregon. 

“Much of my customer base were potato processors, including Frito-Lay, and other chippers, both in the U.S. and abroad,” he said. 

He went on to work in electronics manufacturing as an applications engineer and then as product line manager for switches and safety products. Then the recession hit. 

“I was selling electrical products when an old college roommate convinced me to come work for the state,” Kevin said. “I started my state career with the Department of General Administration in the Office of State Procurement, where I wrote master contracts for professional services.”

He spent nine years as contracts manager for the State Auditor’s Office, helping the Performance Audit Division hire consulting services. 

He said joining WSDA “felt like I’d come home.” He looks back with satisfaction on results he helped achieve. 

“Our contracting processes have matured. And I’ve enjoyed working with the IT group. I believe we have improved our communication and relationships with the divisions and programs,” he said. 

“The most rewarding thing I’ve enjoyed throughout my career is helping others grow and mature in their careers,” he said. 

In summary: From a Kansas farm to electronics, contracting and IT leadership, Kevin Greene’s long career has run the gamut. Kevin looks forward to a well-deserved retirement from WSDA this month. 

COVID-19 era workplace will be different

Kathy Davis
Communications

Beginning June 8, all employees
must wear face coverings for work.

Many of us probably never imagined we’d work from home for months on end, missing in-person meetings and hallway brainstorming with coworkers. 

Teleworkers may be wondering; when will we return to our WSDA worksites? And what will the work experience look like when we do? 

For now, employees who are able to telework should continue to do so. And employees who have been and continue to conduct field work should follow their program’s safety guidance. 

Under the state’s “Safe Start” phased reopening plan, much of the state is easing restrictions. The Governor’s Office, along with state public health and worker safety agencies, have been issuing guidance for what state agencies’ return-to-work plans must cover. 

WSDA is working on an agency plan for reopening based on that. Our agency planning effort includes input from safety, human resources, emergency management, communications, IT, facilities, contracting and other areas.  

Virus still a threat

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is still circulating. We have no vaccine or treatment for this highly contagious illness. Some people who get it have few or mild symptoms, and may not even know they are infected. 

But others, especially those who are high-risk due to age or medical conditions, can become critically ill, need hospitalization or can die. As this is written, over 1,200 Washingtonians have died.

And WSDA has not been spared. Some agency employees have gotten the virus. Fortunately, all have recovered. 

When an employee tests positive for COVID-19, WSDA follows public health procedures that include telling the person to stay home until they have not had symptoms for 72 hours. We notify the facilities where employees have been and the local health department. And we alert other employees who have had contact with the infected person. 

To prevent further spread of the virus and protect the health of employees, visitors and customers, we must put careful thought and planning into how we will physically return to worksites. 

We don’t have all the details nailed down yet. However, you are likely to experience new protocols and facility changes when you do return. 

Basic Prevention

As of June 8, all employees must wear cloth face coverings while at work, unless working alone in an office or vehicle or do not interact with others. Similarly, social distancing, as much as is physically possible, will be the norm in all WSDA facilities and jobsites.

Since COVID-19 started spreading in Washington earlier this year, health officials have emphasized actions needed to control how it spreads. These include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others (social distancing).
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or inside of elbow) and toss tissue immediately.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently. 
• Monitor yourself for symptoms (more below).

Hopefully, we have all been practicing these healthy behaviors for months. They are still necessary and we all need to follow this guidance in the workplace. 

Health Screening

Employees who may be infected with COVID-19 should stay home so as not to expose their coworkers to the virus. Identifying anyone who may be infected will help protect everyone. 

WSDA employees will be expected to answer screening questions before leaving home for work – every day -- to check whether they have any symptoms related to COVID-19. This is so important that employees will need to verify that they have performed this self-screen. 

As an added layer of protection, the agency may screen employees, customers and visitors at facility entry points to make sure no one who has any symptoms enters the workplace. 

Facility Adjustments

Mandatory social distancing will require changes in our workspaces and in how we move around and gather.

Some changes you may see:

• Entry and exit points restricted and monitored. 
• Limited capacity in common areas, such as break rooms, conference rooms, restrooms, and elevators. 
• Signs with reminders about face covering, social distancing, and basic health practices.

Facilities and safety staff will jointly prepare buildings to reinforce social distancing measures.  

Yes, the world of work will look different when we do return. Remember that these changes and expectations are meant to keep you, your coworkers and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19. 

In summary: As WSDA works on a plan for bringing more workers back into office, you can expect to see significant changes when you do return. Details are still being worked out. However, be prepared for the new world of work to be transformed.

A pest goes viral, putting WSDA in the spotlight

Kathy Davis
Communications

As if a global pandemic weren’t enough! This is the story about how the emergence of a new insect pest in Washington State became a viral, worldwide phenomenon. It sounds like a low-budget horror movie. But for the WSDA Pest Program, it’s all in a day’s work. 

Last December, the program received and verified sightings of two Asian giant hornets near Blaine. It was the first time this largest-in-the-world hornet species had been found in the United States. It had been discovered in neighboring British Columbia in the fall. 

While they don’t generally attack people, Asian giant hornets do destroy honeybee hives. They will attack and decapitate bees, destroying a hive in a matter of hours. If it became established in Washington, it could decimate the pollinators that agriculture relies on. 

So, the WSDA Pest Program began alerting the public, especially beekeepers, to be on the lookout for this ultra-large hornet, and they made plans to set traps in the Blaine area to monitor the pest. 

The New York Times

While WSDA entomologists were doing what entomologists do, the program’s public engagement specialist, Karla Salp, was responding to media inquiries, one of which came from a New York Times reporter. 

New York Times reporter, Mike Baker,
holds an Asian giant hornet specimen.

The reporter, Mike Baker, joined WSDA staff as they set traps in the field on May 27. He interviewed others as well, including a Japanese researcher who referred to the Asian giant hornet as the “murder hornet” – a sensational moniker, which was used in the headline. 

Publication of the NYT story on May 2 set off a feeding frenzy by news media across the country and even from international reporters. Entomologists Chris Looney and Sven Spichiger were each interviewed dozens of times. Other Pest Program staff fielded hundreds of emails, phone calls, and online reports. 

Chris, who was prominently featured in the NYT article, came back to an inbox overflowing with hundreds of emails from strangers about the story. While many offered professional advice and help, several others wanted to know the brand of the jacket he wore in the photo. 

We’re going viral

Social media blew up as well. The number of people viewing WSDA Facebook pages hit an all-time high. Hornet memes became a thing on the internet. People around the country were asking, “What’s the deal with this murder hornet?” 

This WSDA issue even earned two mentions on the iconic TV comedy show Saturday Night Live – sure sign of a trending cultural phenomenon. 

“The publicity has been fantastic for raising awareness about Asian giant hornets,” Karla noted. “But the ‘murder hornet’ name has generated a disproportionate amount of fear compared to the threat they pose.” 

WSDA entomologist Chris Looney
displays the Asian giant hornet. 

Along with raising alarm, the spotlight brought hundreds of reports of Asian giant hornet sightings – most of which turned out to be of other insects such as bumblebees, yellow jackets and elm sawflies. 

Despite hundreds of reports in early May, it wasn’t until last week that a new Asian giant hornet was confirmed in Washington. The new sighting was near Custer – just a few miles south of the 2019 sightings and about a mile from a suspicious bee kill in the Custer area last year. 

The new catch brings the total number of Asian giant hornets confirmed in Washington to three. “We’re hopeful this means that they continue to be in very low numbers in the Pacific Northwest,” Karla said. 

To learn more or to report an Asian giant hornet sighting, visit agr.wa.gov/hornets. 

In summary: After the New York Times reported on the WSDA Pest Program’s confirmation of Asian giant hornets in northwest Washington, the news media, internet and popular culture exploded with fascination over the “murder hornet.” Here is the back story.