Training Spotlight: Communication and Problem Solving Skills
Join instructor Lenny Borer for this two-day online training. He will address communication and problem-solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This two-day class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts, and dealing with defensive behavior. This training is $65 and space is limited. It takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8 and 9, both days from 1-4:30 p.m. Register here.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite page website for more opportunities. Winter Seattle College courses have been posted. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Public records during COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we work, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that we are stewards of the public’s records. As such, we must maintain both good records management practices and provide timely responses to requests for public records, whether those come from the public directly, or through a public records officer (PRO) or coordinator. The PROs coordinating public records requests are working to collect responsive records as efficiently as possible while trying to minimize disruptions to the important work that is being done under uncommon conditions.
One such condition is that many County employees are telecommuting, and in some cases using their own personal equipment to perform their job duties. It’s important to remember that every record you create, receive, or use to conduct County business is subject to the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), which ensures transparency in government through broad disclosure of public records. The definition of a record is all encompassing, including but not limited to, text messages, emails, photos, notes, files, word documents, etc. Records subject to disclosure include those created in the conduct of County business within the scope of your employment, whether created on personal devices (e.g., phones, tablets, computers, etc.) and/or in personal accounts (e.g., email, social media, etc.).
Wherever possible, you are encouraged to create and retain records within the County’s systems (as accessed through Office 365 or VPN) and not locally on personal devices or through personal accounts. Please reach out to your department’s PRO immediately if you receive a public records request, and please be as responsive as possible to your PROs if they reach out to you for records.
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Executive Constantine names April Putney as new Chief of Staff
As Executive Constantine’s new Chief of Staff, April Putney will be responsible for administration of the Executive’s staff as well as directing external and internal policy coordination and strategic initiatives. Putney previously served as the Director of Government and External Relations, overseeing local, regional, state, and federal relations.
Putney replaces Rachel Smith, who was named President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce today. Smith, who also serves as Deputy County Executive, will retain that position until she leaves the Executive’s Office at the end of the year.
“April brings a wealth of experience in government at every level, and has a strong reputation among key constituencies, including those representing working families,” said Executive Constantine.
Read more in the official press release.
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Wishing our employees, their families, and the community a Happy Thanksgiving
It has been a challenging year, and during this national time of thanksgiving, we would like to take the time to say Thank You to our employees, for their dedication to making King County a beautiful, welcoming, and civic minded region.
Thank you for the work you do every day. Thank you to your families and loved ones for supporting you to do it. And thank you to our community, and our region, for allowing King County to serve you.
We wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
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Featured Job: Administrator II
Salary: $75,332.82 – $95,489.26 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA (telecommute)
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020CF12431
Division: Prevention
Closing: 12/1/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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VIDEO: As COVID cases skyrocket, an update from Dr. Jeff Duchin
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
As cases skyrocket and hospitalizations increase, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, shared updates on COVID-19 and what the public needs to do to turn the outbreak around.
“The upcoming holiday season greatly adds to the risk, and to the importance of taking action now. If people travel, or gather for Thanksgiving celebrations or other get-togethers, we could see an explosion in COVID-19, causing human suffering unlike anything we’ve experienced in modern times. We want to remind everyone again that we can do the things we need to do when we work together and we do them safer, smaller and smarter.”
Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County
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King County awards community grants to advance anti-racist agenda
On June 11, 2020, King County declared racism a public health crisis. In partnership with advocates, community-members, and public servants throughout King County government, Executive Constantine put together a package of budget proposals to reform the criminal legal system, and begin an ongoing, multi-year effort to shift resources from systems that cause harm, to upstream programs aligned with racial and social justice.
King County staff developed anti-racist policy agendas and biennial budget priorities based on demands from Black, brown and indigenous people of color. To aid in further effective policy and investment development, King County has awarded $200,000 to 24 organizations to engage members of their communities, and provide meaningful feedback with input directly from The communities most harmed by systems of oppression and racism.
Read more in the official press release.
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Spend your FSA money before it’s gone
Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? Check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA by going to Navia Benefits and signing in to your account.
Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2020. And you have until March 31, 2021, to submit claims to be reimbursed.
Day Care FSAs
- Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time.
- Day Care FSA funds can also be used to pay an eligible family members to watch your children, as long as the family member is not your tax dependent (your spouse, the parent of the child, your dependent, or your child under the age of 19).
- Online or “virtual” day cares and camps are not eligible for reimbursement with Day Care FSAs, according to IRS regulations.
- See the complete list of Day Care FSA Eligible and Ineligible Expenses.
- You must use your FSA money for eligible expenses incurred during the plan year—unused funds are forfeited.
Health Care FSAs
- You can use your Health Care FSA funds to pay for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse or eligible domestic partner, and your dependents.
- Health Care FSA funds can be used to pay for orthodontia, laser eye surgery, eyeglasses, and over-the-counter medications and supplies, including menstrual care products. They can also be used for eligible ergonomic office equipment when you obtain a letter of medical necessity from your doctor.
- See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible and Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.
- For the Health Care FSA only, unused funds up to $550 will carry over to the next calendar year. These carryover funds will be available to you after March 31, 2021. Any other unused funds are forfeited.
If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia Benefit Solutions at 425-452-3500 or email Navia Benefit Solutions.
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Honoring Indigenous People during Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. This November, Balanced You gives thanks to Indigenous communities. We honor the wisdom and culture of Indigenous people, we mourn the colonization of their land, and we celebrate the Indigenous people who continue to reside on their ancestral homeland.
While the tradition of Thanksgiving has been rooted in colonization, there are steps you can take toward decolonizing the holiday. Balanced You invites King County employees to honor and give thanks to Indigenous People during Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Month, and year-round. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources.
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Vivecorp exercise classes will not be held the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas
In response to employee requests, Balanced You, in partnership with Vivecorp, is offering free, live, virtual exercise classes starting Wednesday, Oct. 21. King County employees and anyone in their home, including children, are welcome to join. Classes will be hosted on Zoom and held on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at noon through December 2020. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for the class schedule and instructions on how to register and join.
These classes will be not be held the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Please note: You will need to use Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser in order to sign up for the exercise classes. Internet Explorer is not compatible with the Vivecorp site.
Employee News 