First heavy-duty mechanics graduate from Fleet apprenticeship program
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Fleet Services management, colleagues and guests gathered on March 3 to celebrate Tina Taylor, Michael Domiquel, and Mason Keselburg for their successful completion of a two-year apprenticeship program.
The Apprenticeship Program was designed to solve several problems. First, there is a nation-wide shortage of heavy-duty mechanics, a problem forecast to only get worse as more people retire each year than join the trade. The program is designed to grow the workforce from within to provide an ongoing source of qualified mechanics. The program also allows apprentices to become career-service employees at the end of the two-year program. Read the full announcement here.
Share this:
Pilot program offers new ways to turn plastics into new products
On Global Recycling Day, there’s a new way for people in Seattle and King County to keep more plastics out of the landfill and recycle them into new products instead. A new pilot program offers a convenient place to drop off plastic wraps, plastic bags, and plastics bubble wrap and mailers, which are not currently accepted in blue bins.
King County’s Solid Waste Division and Seattle Public Utilities joined the American Chemistry Council, Return-It, Merlin Plastics, and local grocers to publicly launch the new plastic packaging drop-off collection pilot. The three-month pilot will increase the recycling of plastic wraps and bags – known as film packaging – and convert it into new plastic packaging and products, creating a true closed loop system.
Share this:
King County Parks is the largest park system in the nation to earn Salmon-Safe certification
After a rigorous review by environmental nonprofit Salmon-Safe and its independent science team, King County Parks became the largest park system in the country to earn certification.
Read the full announcement and watch a brief video about the certification here.
Share this:
Administrative Professionals Day is April 27
Share your appreciation by recognizing an administrative professional today.
Register here to attend the virtual recognition and celebration of administrative professionals on Wednesday, April 27 at noon.
Event details will be provided. All King County employees are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
Share this:
Equity in vaccination is a community effort
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
As of this month, over 85% of all eligible King County residents have completed their vaccination series. If you look at just residents ages 16 and older, over 80% have received the two-dose series across racial groups and geographies in King County.
The high levels of vaccination are even more striking in light of existing and continuing inequities that have created obstacles to vaccination for people. Read more here about how this effort came to succeed.
Share this:
RSVP today for special Trinity Nightclub livestream of Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide
Tickets are all gone for the April 4 fundraising “Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide,” but you’re invited to attend a special livestream party at Trinity Nightclub to with all proceeds going to the Seattle Refugee Fund.
Please RSVP by 5 p.m. today, using this form so that event organizers can prepare to host this special fundraiser. The event is planned for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 4 at Trinity Nightclub at 107 Occidental Ave. S. in Seattle. Your attendance is strictly voluntary, and employees will not be compensated or receive overtime for attending.
The concert will also be live streamed via local NBC affiliate KING-TV’s digital platforms, and broadcast live on KONG-TV (channel 16 serving the Seattle and Tacoma area), the Seattle Channel, and Seattle Symphony Live, the Symphony’s streaming platform.
Share this:
VIDEO: Executive thanks employees for support of Ukraine giving campaign
King County Executive Dow Constantine was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday evening to see off a load of humanitarian supplies headed to Ukraine to help the people impacted by the Russian invasion.
Executive Constantine also recorded a short video message, where he thanked King County employees for their generous support of the special Employee Giving Program for the Ukrainian people. Watch the video below.
Share this:
King County celebrates Women in Technology Day, March 26
In recognition of Women’s History Month, King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued a proclamation celebrating Women In Technology Day on March 26, 2022.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 25% of jobs in the tech industry are held by women – this is the lowest percentage of women in technology since before 1980. Hispanic and African American women are the most under-represented groups, making up only 4% of the computing workforce, and almost no senior leadership roles.
Share this:
Sheriff Officers retiring after 30-plus years of service
submitted by Chief Shawn Ledford, King County Sheriff’s Office
King County will soon lose almost 100 years of combined law enforcement experience when three Sheriff’s Office commanders begin their respective retirements. Major Pat Butschli, Captain Noel Fryberger, and Captain Lance Dauber will be hanging up their shields on April 1.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office, current and retired, as well as family, recently attended a celebration in their honor at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. All have over 30 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office and served in a variety of leadership positions throughout the organization. Their leadership, perspective and comradery will be missed by all who served with them.
Interim Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and Undersheriff Jesse Anderson presented retirement certificates and gifts. Many others shared stories with good memories and lots of laughs.
“We would like to thank Pat, Noel, and Lance for their dedicated service” stated Chief Shawn Ledford, “We wish them the best in their well-deserved retirement.”
Employee News 