Employee Spotlights
Five questions with Lluvia Ellison-Morales, Animal Services Administrator, Department of Executive Services
Overcoming a life changing injury with strength, dignity and a committed team
Best of the best: King County Metro names Neal Safrin Operator of the Year
Employee shares the powerful experience of working in Juvenile Court
News
Third payday of the month, Oct. 31
Almost all King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month, but Oct. 31 will be your third payday of the month. The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks. For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
Discount available for employees at HomeStreet Bank and Disney on Ice
King County partners with HomeStreet Bank to offer employees the Hometown Home Loan Program. This employer-assisted housing program offers a wide selection of home loan options, whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, or remodeling. Visit the website for more information. Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, WA, Oct. 30-Nov. 4, 2019. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-248-8740, option 1. For questions call the number or email FeldDirectGroups@feldinc.com. Savings will be applied at time of purchase. Order tickets before the deadline on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 11 a.m. View all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
Research results show students across U.S. put high value on FLASH curriculum
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Students in different parts of the country overwhelmingly find the FLASH sexual health curriculum, produced by the Family Planning program at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), valuable and worth recommending to their peers. As part of a multi-year study being conducted in the South and Midwest, more than 90 percent of students surveyed say they will use the skills they learned in class in their real lives, and more than 90 percent would recommend FLASH to a friend. Read more from Public Health Insider
ESJ Opportunity Fund now accepting applications, deadline Nov. 22
The Office of Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) is now accepting applications for the Equity and Social Justice Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund is a competitive process that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity, social justice and King County’s mission to lead with racial justice in support of the ESJ Strategic Plan. Read more in the overview here and download the application here. Applications are due by or before November 22, 2019. For questions contact Tynishia Walker at TWalker@kingcounty.gov or at 206-263-0534.
PeopleSoft team receives innovator award
Crossposted from DES Express Thumbs up to the PeopleSoft team for recognition as an innovator at the recent Oracle OpenWorld conference. They created a disaster recovery option on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, selective adoption (PUM) and improved the user experience with fluid pages. The team now has a world-wide presence on the PeopleSoft web site. Mike Betschart also made his first official YouTube appearance. The PeopleSoft team Mike Betschart, the PeopleSoft Manager plus his leadership team: Tracey Dang Hannah Gacey Joe Isaacks Rey Rodriguez Technical Team Curtis Hanson Jay Hsiao Ken Kaspersen Prasanth Kondugari Ampalavanar Mohanakumar Analyst Team… Read More
Focus on values: We are responsible stewards
Dear employee, Last month, we launched a monthly focus on our values to help us gain a deeper understanding of King County’s values and how we apply them to our work. This month, we are focusing on the value “We are responsible stewards.” Being a responsible steward is a value I take very seriously. For me, stewardship is taking care of the resources entrusted to our care. As Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, my primary focus is making sure we are strong financial stewards, so people know their… Read More
Pet of the Week: Leo
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Looking for a spunky, spirited boy? Look no further than Leo, our Pet of the Week! This border collie/Boston terrier mix is waiting for his forever home. He was brought in by his previous family because he had a tendency to run off property. (A well-fenced yard at his new home would be good.) Read more from Tails from RASKC
Featured Job: Administrative Specialist II
Salary: $21.91 – $28.75 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DNRP – Natural Resources & Parks Job Number: 2019SN10707 Closing: 10/20/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
It’s in the mail: Look for Open Enrollment information
Check your home mailbox for important benefits and Open Enrollment information mailed recently to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. Open Enrollment takes place Nov. 1 – 15 and is your opportunity to: Enroll in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income—saving you money. You must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment. The Health Care FSA maximum contribution for 2020 is $2,700. Select the appropriate Benefit Access Fee—or exemption. If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your medical plan, a Benefit Access… Read More
2019 Annual Giving Drive: Spotlight on nonprofits supporting the Latinx community
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program started October 7, and almost 1,200 nonprofits are taking part this year. Throughout this year’s drive, we’ll be featuring four nonprofits in different categories. To honor Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at King County, we’ve highlighted four nonprofits that support and advance the rights of our Latinx and Hispanic Community. Casa Latina (9307) 317 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144 – Empowers Latinx/Hispanic immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing – toward full participation of the Latinx/Hispanic community in the economy and democracy of the U.S. Soccer Without Borders Seattle (9968) 600… Read More
Fair and Just Prosecution Fellow Joseph Ludmir shares his summer experience at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
This summer, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office welcomed Joseph Ludmir, a rising second year law student from Los Angeles, as a resident Fellow with the national Fair and Just Prosecution Program. The program places outstanding law students in the “most inspiring elected prosecutors’ offices around the country,” an honor Seattle shares with Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Boston. Summer fellows are defined by their interest criminal justice reform and their ability to bridge the gap between the classroom theories and on-the-ground work. Working primarily with Deputy Chief of Staff Carla Lee and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney… Read More
Five questions with Brendan McCluskey, Director of the King County Office of Emergency Management
Why did you start in your role with King County, and what is your official title? I am the Director of the King County Office of Emergency Management. I started with King County March 2019. I came to the County from New Jersey, where I was the State’s Director of Public Health Preparedness. Previously, I had been the Deputy State Emergency Management Director for Maryland. I also participate as a volunteer assessor and assessment team leader for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). King County is an accredited emergency management program, and I served as… Read More
Revamped dock at Pier 50 offers new accessibility features
It took two years for a full rebuild, but as of August 2019, the new passenger-only ferry dock at Pier 50 has reopened, to include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements for those with mobility issues. Travelers taking regional ferry service to West Seattle, Vashon, Bremerton and Kingston can now wait under a fully-covered dock with inside seating. A tactile path and tactile signs also guide the way forward to the boat and a new ADA assistance station. The new dock even includes an elevator that will connect to a new pedestrian bridge… Read More
From King County Elections Director Julie Wise: Volunteer to be a Ballot Drop Box Closer for Nov. 5
Dear Colleagues, The General Election is coming up fast and we need your help to make the experience of voting fun and simple for our neighbors and constituents. Across our county, all ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Election Night. This election, we’re looking for over 100 volunteers to provide any assistance voters need to ensure their ballot gets cast and their vote gets counted. Who: You and your co-workers! What: Closing ballot drop boxes across King County When: Election Night – Nov. 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Where: You… Read More
Discount to Summit at Snoqualmie
Discounts for the Summit at Snoqualmie 2019-2020 Season Pass are now available. To take advantage of the King County Discount for Unlimited pass (covering adult, young adult, teen, youth, child, senior, and super senior) and Limited (covering adult, young adult, teen, youth, and senior) season passes follow these online instructions. The deepest discounts will be available until Nov. 6. The season pass sale will end Jan. 8, 2020. For more information about rates and discounts for the Summit at Snoqualmie 2019-2020 season, view this flyer or email summitstore@summiti90.com. View all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
Training Spotlight: Facilitating Effective Meetings
Facilitating Effective Meetings, Nov. 14: A common challenge faced by individuals in business is how to lead and facilitating meetings that are interesting and solicit active engagement. This one day training covers the skills used by a facilitator to design and run an effective meeting. How to be a better participant is also discussed. Topics include specific facilitation skills, group decision making skills, and how to deal with disruptive behaviors. View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Featured Job: Animal Care Technician
Salary: $19.90 – $25.22 Hourly Location: Kent, WA Job Type: Multiple job types-career service and/or temp Department: DES – Executive Services Job Number: 2019SG10680 Closing: 10/13/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Pet of the Week: Priscilla
Priscilla is a 7 year-old, female, shorthair, gray tabby cat (A591804). Her personality color is GREEN, meaning she is an adaptable cat who loves to go with the flow. This sweet girl can be a little shy in new situations, but it doesn’t take her long to get comfortable and show you what a sweetie pie she is! Read more at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All staff workshop, Oct. 31
We are updating King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan – the five-year blueprint for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change, and work with partners and communities on climate. All King County employees are invited to participate in a staff workshop to provide their feedback and ideas. What are the most important and impactful climate actions we can take? Where can the County lead? What can we accomplish in partnership with you? The workshops will take place Thursday, Oct. 31 from noon to 2 p.m. in King Street… Read More
Volunteer to be a Ballot Drop Box Closer for Nov. 5
Looking for some Election Day excitement? Meet your neighbors and continue your commitment to public service by volunteering as a drop box closer. Drop box closers are the friendly face the public sees on Election Day, ensuring that every vote is counted and every voice is heard. Who: You and your co-workers! What: Closing ballot drop boxes across King County When: Election Night – Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Where: A drop box location near you Most voters wait until Election Day to return their ballots, with drop… Read More
About
We tell stories that highlight the work we do to support our residents,
build strong communities, and make our region a great place to live and work.
Our 15,000 employees work every day to make King County
a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
