Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
The temporary subsidized parking program of half the employee cost of parking at the Goat Hill Parking Garage and King Street Center Garage will end Sept. 2, 2022. Effective Sept. 3, 2022 the full daily rate of $20 will be in effect. Employees who wish to park for a full day at either of these garages will pay a $20 daily rate with their employee ID Card. You can find complete hourly rates here. Employees who receive paid parking as provided in their collective bargaining agreements will continue to do so after… Read More
Staff in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Solid Waste Division (SWD) have developed a new safety mechanism to add extra security measures for both employees and customers. The idea, developed by Algona transfer station employees and their supervisors, was installed on March 10. Henry Dotson, an Operations Supervisor who has been with SWD for eight years, explains how everyone is committed to making changes that promote both efficiency and safety, and that the input of employees is essential when making operational changes. “It is important so that employees know that… Read More
King County International Airport’s second annual “FOD Walk” drew about 120 participants who came to look for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on the runway and share a unique experience on a closed airport runway. They found very little debris, a testament to the ongoing work of airport employees, tenants and customers in keeping the airfield clean and safe, according to event organizer and Airport Duty Manager Sam Priest. Despite the lack of trash, the experience itself was interesting, participants said. “It was cool to walk it,” said pilot Oxana Poburinnaya, who was… Read More
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Taking place the first Tuesday in August, it enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while showing a true sense of community. King County Sheriff’s deputies showed up at a variety of events across the county last week to connect with residents, represent the department, and have a great time. From Fall City to White Center to Sammamish and points in between, officers were out in… Read More
Evelyn Wood, Executive Assistant in the Department of Local Services, is the 2022 recipient of the Loyalty Award from the Pacific Northwest Admin Awards. This recognition is presented to the Administrative Professional that has a long history of effective service in the administrative profession (minimum of 15 years) and/or has a long history of effective service to their existing company or executive in an administrative capacity (minimum of 10 years). Evelyn came to King County in 2005 to support the Department of Transportation (DOT) Director’s office. Previously, she provided administrative support to… Read More
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Wildfire smoke is a near-annual event with the hotter, drier summers we’re getting (see Climate Changes Health). No amount of clever crafting can turn back the climate, but this simple D.I.Y. project can make the smoky days a little more bearable and safe. Read more.
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) serves to maximize lifesaving efforts for stray and abused animals with shelter care, medical treatment, adoption services, and more. And they need your help. Now through Aug. 31, Fred Meyer stores in south King County have set up donation bins where you can help support RASKC’s mission with food, snacks, and toys. Read more.
Next to the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships is the biggest track and field stage on the planet, held in the United States the first time for 10 days in July on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. A few statistics: More than 1,700 athletes from 179 countries participated. Team USA broke the record for the most medals at a single World Atheletics Championships, earning 33 in total. 1,583 volunteers gave their time to help in all areas of the event. K9 units from multiple agencies and states, including two from… Read More
Are you looking for an opportunity to simultaneously share and grow? Joining the Administrative Professional Partners (APP) could be what you are looking for. Since 2016, the APP, consisting of administrative professionals, leaders, and union representation, have been unified in the commitment to support the development and recognition of administrative professionals. The APP facilitates monthly Networking/Casual Conversation events, the annual Administrative Professionals Recognition Day event in April, and pursues equitable processes and practices. Consider the following partner groups: Communications – Partners will monitor and post announcements on the AP Yammer site, AP… Read More
The Seattle Symphony will begin its 2022/23 season Sept. 17. Single tickets for the new season are now on sale, and King County employees are eligible for a 15% discount. It starts with a pre-season concert, Stewart Copeland: Police Deranged for Orchestra. If you like the Police this concert is for you. You’ll see Stewart Copeland, founding member of The Police on drums and hear some of your favorite songs, including Roxanne, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, and Message in a Bottle. Go to the Seattle Symphony website and use promo code BACH23 at checkout for a 15% ticket discount… Read More
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories If you’ve visited the Brightwater Trails area or driven by on Highway 9 past Woodinville recently, you may have noticed that something is missing. A bare metal framework stands where once an iconic longhouse art installation was nestled among flowering trees. Grandfather’s Wisdom brings the history, perspectives, and culture of the First Peoples of Puget Sound to Brightwater. So where did it go? To find out, read more.
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories There are many names for remotely piloted aircraft, and you may have heard them called drones, but at the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD), they’re referred to as an RPAS — or a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. The use of RPASs by the County began about six years ago, but it is only recently that WTD came to own and operate their own devices. Before that, contractors were hired to provide the services that WTD now performs. This saves the county money in the long, and offers… Read More
The temporary subsidized daily and monthly parking for employees at the two downtown garages (Goat Hill and King Street Center) will end on September 2. After that date, the standard employee rates will apply, as follows: All-Day Parking $20 Hourly Parking Hours King County Employee Rate With ID 0 to .5 $4 .5 to 1 $7 1 to 1.5 $8 1.5 to 2 $11 2 to 3 $12 3 to 4 $14 4 to 5 $15 5 to 6 $16 6 to 7 $19 7 to 24 $20 Evening (applies from 4… Read More
King County Executive Dow Constantine emailed KCIT employees today to congratulate them on being named the nation’s #1 Top Digital County by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo). “This is the second year in a row that KCIT has received this prestigious award, and it is a recognition of everything you do to help us improve the way we work, collaborate, and connect with residents,” Executive Constantine told KCIT employees. “This award is a recognition of your hard work and innovative thinking, and the… Read More
There are 1.4 million registered voters in King County. Voter registration in the Department of Elections is an intense, customer service focused team tasked with ensuring county residents get to exercise their right to vote. Handling phone calls, emails, in-person visitors, and thousands of online registration updates keeps this team in constant motion. When Kim Streeter, a Program Supervisor for the Department of Elections, was approached by King County’s Supported Employment Program to hire staff for a pilot program, it seemed like a great fit for all parties. King County’s Supported Employment Program matches… Read More
King County Administrative Professionals are a large part of King County government’s workforce and valuable contributors to the success of every department. They support and provide direct services to internal customers and the public. Administrative Professionals may include, but are not limited to, Administrative Specialists, Office Assistants, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Dental and Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and more. Celebrate the great work of Administrative Professionals and read about their accomplishments:.2022 Q2 Recognitions. To show your appreciation and recognize an Administrative Professional that you’ve worked with, click here.
As King County hosts a four-day national conference of clean water agencies, Executive Dow Constantine showed progress toward making the region’s wastewater treatment system more resilient to climate impacts. King County crews are preparing to install on-site batteries at West Point Treatment Plant, providing operators with an uninterruptable power supply when voltage sags occur. It’s the latest in a series of improvements to make the 56-year-old treatment plant more resilient to climate impacts. Read more.
By Dorian Esper-Taylor Disability Equity Specialist, Office of Equity and Social Justice and Jennifer Mechem, ADA/Civil Rights Section Manager, Office of Equity and Social Justice Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law on July 26, 1990. One of the most influential civil rights marches was not a march, it was a crawl. Part of a series of demonstrations that included all forms of mobility, the Capitol Crawl on March 12, 1990, was a key moment in the path to the Americans with Disabilities… Read More
By Dow Constantine, King County Executive On the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with our work to become a pro-equity and anti-racist government, we also recognize that disability is intersectional, and that the ADA remains a crucial tool in addressing the persistent discrimination experienced by persons with disabilities.
The Water Taxi is a cool way to beat the heat. It’s operating on its summer sailing season, with seven-days-a-week service to and from West Seattle, including midday sailings, and Friday and Saturday night service. Don’t forget your dog or cat, or your bike! Hop aboard for a 15-minute ride across Elliott Bay while enjoying panoramic views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics. You can walk to the Mariners game or the Sounders match. When riding from downtown to West Seattle, you can take a shuttle from the Seacrest Dock that will take… Read More