King County: Government 101
Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember District 2, recently made a video about the difference between city government and county government.
It is a simple, straight-forward, and affable piece that helps break down how King County serves and represents residents in the wide variety of urban, suburban, rural, and unincorporated areas.
It’s not required viewing for King County employees, but it is a good resource to share with friends, family, and strangers who might wonder how county government is different from city government. Click here to watch the video.
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2022 Employee Survey results
The annual Employee Survey is a key tool in our efforts to create a truly welcoming, supportive, and respectful workplace at King County. Employee feedback is essential to realizing this goal.
This past March, approximately 8,300 Executive Branch employees took part in our Annual Employee Survey, which included Sheriff’s Office employees for the first time.
The survey results paint a picture of how employees are thinking and feeling about their roles at King County. The past two years have been a period of stress, uncertainty, and change. So it is no surprise that employee feelings of burnout are on the rise. However, well-being and belonging are trending upwards. Click here to see a brief video about the survey and link to view detailed results by department and division.
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Executive Constantine delivers 2022 State of the County address
Focusing on four priority pillars of work, King County Executive Dow Constantine recently delivered the 2022 State of the County to the King County Council. The address reflected on both the achievements of the last year and the opportunities ahead.
Executive Constantine laid out past successes and future actions in the critical areas of homelessness, public safety and the criminal legal system, anti-racism and pro-equity policies and investments, and environmental conservation and climate change. He also spoke to the ongoing work related to public health, transit, and the creative economy as King County recovers from the pandemic. Click here to read more and watch the address.
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With COVID-19 rates high, what parents need to know about masking and testing
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
COVID-19 risk for people in our community has increased over the past several weeks. In late April, our case rates put King County into the Medium COVID-19 Community Level. Unfortunately, we continue to receive many reports of COVID-19 cases and clusters throughout the community, including from schools and childcare centers.
With this increased level of COVID-19, parents may be wondering what they should consider for masking and testing right now. Click here to find out more.
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Innovation Award for Service honorees
The Innovation Award for Service goes to the Department of Community and Human Services/Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division – Refugee Resettlement Hotel.
Hundreds of Afghan refugees evacuated to King County when U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan and needed temporary housing while they resettled. The Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division collaborated with multiple King County departments and community partners to quickly turn a county-owned hotel into safe, welcoming, and culturally respectful housing for our Afghan refugee neighbors. Click here to read more and watch the video.
Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
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Local Services earns national communication award for its ‘Employee Diversity Showcase’
King County Local Services’ efforts to celebrate the diversity of its team in 2021 garnered some prestigious recognition this month.
The department won first place in the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards competition by the National Association of Government Communicators. The winners were announced during a ceremony earlier this month. Click here to read the full story and see the employees featured in the showcase.
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King County Law Library webinar: Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration
As part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage month, the King County Law Library recently hosted a webinar titled “Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration.”
The first part of this program is a screening of Alternative Facts – a film that uncovers the history of lies used to justify the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans.
It was followed by a powerful panel discussion with the filmmaker Jon Osaki, attorney, author, and former Seattle University School of Law professor Lorraine Bannai, and King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi. The discussion was moderated by attorney Serin Ngai, with opening comments by Dua Abudiab, Executive Director of the King County Bar Association.
You can watch the film and discussion at King County Law Library Webinar: Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration.
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Metro takes Womens Transportation Seminar (WTS) participants on tours of innovative transit projects
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
King County Metro is always working to improve mobility around the region and is committed to sharing approaches with other agencies. This past week, Seattle hosted attendees of the WTS International Conference and Metro rolled out the welcome mat.
WTS promotes the advancement of women in the transportation industry, and its conferences attract some of the most influential and innovative thinkers in transit. Dozens of attendees took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the history and operations of several of Metro’s exciting transportation projects and innovations. WTS participants took the tours around the region by light rail, trolley, and flexible service vans. Click here to read the full story.
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Operator Teshim Awalom receives award for assisting disabled rider
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
Last New Year’s Eve, while driving Metro Route 5 in north Seattle, Operator Teshim Awalom saw a pedestrian trying to recover their walker, which had fallen in the snow. Teshim worked with the person to locate the walker, helped them onto his bus, and asked if they needed any medical assistance.
On May 19, King County Metro General Manager Terry White recognized Awalom’s actions that snowy day, presenting him with the George Turner Award, given by the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Chapter member DeeAnne Cooper was at Metro’s Central Base to congratulate Awalom for the award. Click here to read the full story.
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Innovation Award for Cost honorees
Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
This year’s recipient for the Innovation Award for Cost is the Department of Executive Services/Business and Finance Operations/Procurement and Payables Section – Strategic Sourcing Program.
Residents rely on King County government to be a responsible steward of resources. To ensure the county gets the best value for its dollar, the Procurement and Payables Section launched the Strategic Sourcing Program. Watch the video to learn how the program uses data, market research, and benchmarking to make wise purchasing decisions – and to support businesses that align with the county’s sustainability and equity and social justice goals. Click here to watch the award presentation.
Employee News 