Featured Headlines
VIDEO: Interim DNRP Director Mo McBroom shares her path to public service
KCSO in the spotlight: Air support
Welcoming new neighbors: King County invests in vital support for immigrant and refugee communities
King County, Plymouth Housing, and City of Kirkland celebrate opening of new permanent supportive housing community, Sheila Stanton Place
News
Opening doors to connection and independence for adults with developmental disabilities
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Connecting with our communities and making friends with shared interests brings richness to all our lives. That’s why King County Department of Community & Human Services’ Community Inclusion program helps give people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) an opportunity to participate in activities in their local community. From social clubs and volunteering opportunities to activities like climbing gyms, book clubs, knitting circles, pottery classes, gardening, and more, participants have a space to develop relationships with community members while practicing everyday skills that help support independence and foster… Read More
Highlighting King County’s Latinx Affinity Group in Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we are highlighting King County’s Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx)! KCLx is an employee-led resource group (ERG) that provides a welcoming space for employees to connect, build community, and advance equity, inclusion, and belonging across King County. ERGs promote equity and social justice, foster employee engagement, and enhance personal and professional growth within King County. What we offer: Through monthly meetings, Lunch and Learns, Cafecitos, shared resources, conversations, and opportunities to gather and celebrate together, KCLx creates space for members to connect… Read More
Honoring HR Professionals on Sept. 26
An important day is coming up that honors and celebrates Human Resources (HR) professionals. It’s HR Professionals Day, also known as HR Appreciation Day, on Sept. 26. “Because of you, we have high-quality, efficient, and effective programs and services that help and support the employees of King County and their families,” Matt Smith, Director of the Department of Human Resources said. “Because of you, our employees are better able to deliver innovative, essential services to our region. And because of you, King County’s workforce is strengthened by attracting, retaining, and developing diverse… Read More
Investing in the Power of Youth: Portraits of Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Last August, Public Health – Seattle & King County launched its fourth annual Public Health Camp, welcoming its largest cohort of high school and college students, between the ages of 16-21 years old, who are passionate about working in public health. Public Health Camp creates opportunities for students from underserved schools to explore careers in STEAM while helping build a pipeline for the next generation of public health professionals. For Portraits of Public Health, we talked to Debbie, Shayla, and Greg, the brain trust behind Public Health… Read More
Sharing proposed investments in housing, transportation, and infrastructure in my $746 million supplemental budget with you
Dear King County team, Today, I transmitted a $746 million supplemental budget proposal to the King County Council. This is our second omnibus budget, and includes investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, transit, land conservation, workforce and small business support, and climate action — all for a better county government that works for the people in it. King County continues to face significant budget constraints. The costs to maintain programs and services continue to far outpace revenue, as they have for more than 20 years, and we’re facing a projected $120 million shortfall… Read More
How the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy is improving health for thousands of seniors
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections For older adults, access to programs and services that help them maintain their independence is crucial. But more often than not, resources aren’t readily available, and barriers like financial limitations, a lack of transportation, or health conditions keep older adults from thriving. A recent article published in Prevention Science highlights a local model for senior health and wellness that has been quietly changing lives across King County. And while the journal feature is an exciting milestone, the true headline is the story behind it: a successful partnership funded by the King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) that proves how structured support can break… Read More
Final review of audited contracts shows no loss of funds to fraud
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Last year, the King County Auditor’s Office released a report showing the need for stronger financial oversight at DCHS and identified 19 contracts for further review. Since then, DCHS has not only implemented stronger oversight and internal controls over public dollars, but the department, in partnership with King County’s Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD), has now confirmed that no public funds were lost to fraud among the 19 contracts. Following Clark Nuber’s independent forensic review of the 19 contracts valued at $12 million, an estimated $320,000 in potential improper payments… Read More
Managing our records helps us respond to public records requests
Managing records effectively is essential to supporting King County’s obligations under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). By managing our records, we help ensure that the County can respond quickly and accurately to public records requests. Good records management isn’t just an administrative task—it’s a key part of transparency and accountability in serving our community. Simple tasks you take can help support public records request responses: Identify and delete transitory records Use naming conventions and keep your records well organized Use approved tools File electronic records to Content Manager Disposition records that… Read More
Is your contact information correct in PeopleSoft?
It’s important to review and update your personal contact information in PeopleSoft. Here’s why: You will receive important Open Enrollment and other employee benefits information mailed to you at the address you have listed as of Sept. 30, 2026. Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work. You can be notified of safety directives, building closures, etc. You can receive information at the email address you prefer. Here’s how: Sign in to PeopleSoft from any device at ess.kingcounty.gov. Select Personal Details from the Self Service section. Make… Read More
King County employees from far-flung departments arrived as strangers. They left as teammates.
By Jasmine Anderson, Detention Supervisor, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention What’s a great way to get to know your coworkers? A casual introduction over coffee? A team-building lunch? Nope. We apparently decided that meeting for the first time while running a 31-hour trail race, camping overnight, and dodging lightning strikes was the better option. Over a weekend in late August, employees from Adult and Juvenile Detention, Community and Human Services, Residential Assessments, and Metro came together for the Ragnar Rainier Trail Race. The fun part? Most of us had never met… Read More
New required ACTIVATE eLearning for Executive Branch employees
King County has launched a new required eLearning for all Executive Branch employees called Let’s ACTIVATE Our King County Values. Employees enrolled in the course will receive an email from DoNotReply@neogov.com on Tuesday, Sept. 22. It can also be found in the My Training tab in NEOGOV Learn. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete and is due Friday, March 19, 2027. “Our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE values guide us in everything we do for the people of King County,” Chief People Officer Megan Pedersen said. “By learning more about them, we can apply them more effectively… Read More
Executive Zahilay launches Volunteer Corps to connect King County residents to pressing local volunteer needs
Recently, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced the launch of Volunteer Corps, a new program led by his administration that aims to harness the power of motivated residents to meet the pressing needs of the county and local non-profit organizations. As part of his Be in Community value, Volunteer Corps will connect King County nonprofits with a dedicated network of residents who are ready to volunteer and help meet time-sensitive needs. The program will make it easier for organizations to reach people who want to give back while creating more opportunities for… Read More
Switch Your Trips WA challenge begins Oct. 1
What if changing just a few driving trips a month could help you save money, reduce stress, get more active, or spend less time behind the wheel? That’s exactly what Switch Your Trips is all about. Commuters across Washington are challenged to switch drive-alone trips for sustainable alternatives like transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, rolling, passenger ferry and/or water taxi, skateboarding, or a combination of modes. Those who participate in the challenge and log at least 10 qualifying trips during October will be entered in a drawing to win prizes, including a… Read More
Diamond Parking Service assumes management and operation of Goat Hill Garage
Effective Monday, Sept. 1, Diamond Parking Service assumed management and operation duties of Goat Hill Garage. Diamond Parking is committed to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high level of service that King County has come to expect, including consistent parking availability and support. They look forward to ensuring your parking experience remains convenient, reliable, and professional. As part of the transition, the dedicated garage attendant staff who King County employees have become accustomed to working with will remain employed at Goat Hill Garage. To minimize any disruptions in services after Sept. 1, all existing phone numbers will remain… Read More
Be 911 Aware – Calling for help using modern devices
Crossposted from KCIT Many people are giving up their traditional landline phone service and moving to cell phones or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service. Be aware that these services works differently than traditional landline 911 service. If you’re using a cell phone to call 911, only your general location may display at the 911 center. Because of this, it is very important that you know your location and can relay the address, street names, or nearby landmarks. Text-to-911 is a service in King County that can help those who are… Read More
Employees only: Apply now for Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
Crossposted from the DES Express Are you an employee interested in a leadership role on King County’s Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Advisory Committee? If so, apply now through Oct. 13. “If anyone has an HR or ESJ interest, this committee will give you more insight and exposure to those fields,” said Kelli Williams, Human Resources Manager for the Department of Executive Services. “For front line employees that may not have exposure to county-wide initiatives, it is a good opportunity to get out and network and see what’s going on.” Read more.
Looking for juvenile Chinook in all the non-natal places
Crossposted from Headwaters This spring, scientists from the Science Section’s Watershed and Ecological Assessment Team (WEAT) went looking for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in streams where they have not been previously documented. The team spent 29 days in the field, ultimately completing 97 surveys across 20 different streams. Studies like this are time sensitive. The right fish are only in the right places at the right time and even then, they’re very hard to find. To make the best use of small timeframe, agencies like ours rely on seasonal support from early career… Read More
Liz Stead named Permitting Division Director of King County’s Department of Local Services
Crossposted from King County Local Liz Stead will join King County Department of Local Services as its new Permitting Division Director. Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson made the announcement today after an extensive search for the person who will help guide permitting activity for approximately 250,000 residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas. “We are excited that Liz will be a member of our team,” Richardson said. “She brings a wealth of experience in both local government and the private sector that will directly benefit the Permitting Division. She has… Read More
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Support and resources for your well‑being
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, serving as an important reminder that everyone goes through difficult moments, and no one should have to navigate those moments alone. If you find yourself in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, know there are different types of support available depending on what you need. For example, both the National Suicide hotline and King County’s Making Life Easier program have mental health professionals available 24/7. Reaching out early, even just to talk something through, can make a real difference. Read more.
Executive Zahilay proposes new Office of Labor Standards, supporting King County workers and businesses
Yesterday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council’s monthly delegate meeting, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that his administration is proposing $500,000 to establish a new Office of Labor Standards within King County. This investment will be included in the Executive’s second omnibus budget, which will be proposed next week. Once established, the office will focus on strengthening labor standards and expanding worker and business outreach and education in unincorporated King County, supporting an informed and empowered workforce and robust regional economy. “Working people are the backbone of King… Read More
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