Core Team Values

We serve our community with Compassion, Courage, and Conviction.

Alternate: We work hard. We care. We do the right thing.

All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Ellensburg’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City and serving the community. The values of Compassion (we care), Courage (we do the right thing), and Conviction (we work hard) promote and maintain a high level of service and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across departments.

We serve:

  • We are committed servant leaders: service is priority to our customers, our team, and our community
  • We are forward-thinking and adapt our approach when we have new facts, information, or conditions and constantly look for ways to improve how we serve
  • We strive for excellence and seek to improve customer experience and service alignment

Our community:

  • People—all people, we consider the needs, interests, and culture of the people who call Ellensburg home, those that are passing through, and those yet to come 
  • Place—this place we call Ellensburg—built and natural environments, business, institutions, and economy, within the local, regional, state, and national context 
  • Dynamic—as stewards of public resources, we listen, evaluate, and adapt to align our programs, policies, projects, and planning with changing needs of customers

Compassion: Actions that demonstrate care for other people and a desire to make circumstances better where possible.

Behaviors that demonstrate Compassion:

  • We place our customers at the forefront of decisions 
  • We respond with kindness, dignity, and respect regardless of circumstances or differences
  • We are inclusive, strive to understand cultural differences, and follow the platinum rule—treat others how they wish to be treated
  • We celebrate successes and positive actions
  • We grow our employees and prepare for the next generation that follows
  • We seek to be self-aware and understand how our individual contributions impact outcomes and others
  • We listen to learn, and maintain a calm attitude when dealing with challenging customers
  • We serve our community graciously and unselfishly
  • We create safe spaces for our employees and community to share their thoughts, contribute, and ask questions

Courage: Actions that demonstrate strength in the face of risk, adversity, pain, or fear.

Behaviors that demonstrate Courage:

  • We act to build public trust and never undermine its fragility
  • We serve with integrity, take ethical actions, and make tough decisions even when no one is watching
  • We take smart risks and we learn from failures
  • We question actions that appear inconsistent with our values and hold our team members and ourselves accountable
  • We ask for assistance when needed and we are realistic about meeting deadlines
  • We say what we think when in the best interest of the City, honestly and respectfully
  • We accept uncertainty and embrace an openness to new ideas and solutions
  • We engage in difficult conversations with kindness and honesty, and are not afraid to address “sticky” problems and situations 
  • We are eager to learn and take on new, complex tasks and projects
  • We are humble, vulnerable, and authentic

Conviction: Actions that imply a firm belief or strong persuasion to our team and community; a commitment to working together for the greater good, and always striving to do the right thing.

Behaviors that demonstrate Conviction:

  • We work together to accomplish amazing amounts of important work
  • We demonstrate consistently strong performance so others can rely upon us
  • We act ethically and focus on results while ensuring fair and equitable process and outcomes
  • We seek alternatives and solutions rather than problems/issues
  • We consider impacts of today’s actions on tomorrow 
  • We take initiative on tasks that are aligned with our purpose, team, City Council, and community priorities
  • We work smart, focus strategically on priorities, and prepare for “what if” scenarios 
  • We collaborate with team members and partners to achieve public good and are responsive to the needs of our team and community
  • We strive to make a difference