Road Services welcomes new director Tricia Davis
Crossposted from King County Local
Local Services proudly welcomes Tricia Davis as the new director of its Road Services Division.
Tricia comes to us as a 13-year employee at King County, most recently as deputy director for Metro’s Rail Division and, prior to that, as a budget supervisor in King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB).
Before joining the county, Tricia worked as a research analyst for the Center on Reinventing Public Education. She also worked for Capital One Financial Services as a senior operations analyst.
Share this:
Upcoming live and on-demand webinars through Making Life Easier
King County’s Making Life Easier (MLE) program is offering several upcoming live and on-demand webinars. Register early for the live session as space is limited, otherwise, a recording of the session will be available on-demand 48 hours after it has ended.
- Supporting Yourself This Season: The Winter Blues & Seasonal Affective Disorder – Live, Wednesday, Nov. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
- Deepening Your Resilience: Tools For Persisting In These Times – Now available on-demand. Register here.
- Moving Forward From Here: Navigating Uncertain Times – Available on-demand the first week of Dec. Registration information coming soon. Please check the website for updates.
To learn more about these webinars and to access others, visit www.KCMakingLifeEasier.com, login with username: King County, and click on the Current Featured Webinars banner on the home page.
For more information about the Making Life Easier program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/MLE.
Share this:
Tech Tip: An important note about Microsoft Skype and Teams instant messages/chat
Employees may recall that the guidance for using Skype instant messages (IMs) has been “do not conduct work via IM.” IMs should only be used for transitory communication because once the IM window is closed, the message is gone. Yes, that has meant the instant messages were totally gone, leaving no record.
The same guidance is mostly in place with IMs in Teams, only they’re called “Chats” now.
Chats, though, work a little differently in Teams. Microsoft technical requirements prevent Chats from instantly disappearing when the Chat window is closed, so they will be held in the system for 24 hours, at which point they will be deleted. The Skype to Teams transition project is still working on this “holding period” for Chats, and it may be subject to change in the future. More information is to come on this.
When employees move to Teams for calls, meetings and IMs/chats (this year for most employees, the rest in 2021), continue to use Chats only for transitory communication, such as “Ready for that coffee now?” or “Hey, are you going to join our meeting?”
Posts in Teams Channels, on the other hand, are retained and are a great place to communicate important information. Learn about posts and other great Teams collaboration features here.
Employees should keep in mind that since Teams posts are retained, and Teams Chats are automatically held for 24 hours, they are both subject to public disclosure and a hold may be placed on these communications, so please continue to communicate in a professional manner.
Share this:
Election 2020: Seattle voters support funding for transit
Crossposted from Metro Matters
While some ballots are still arriving and being counted, so far an overwhelming majority of voters in the City of Seattle have approved Proposition 1: “Funding for Transit and Related Transportation Needs.” This proposition would replace a funding source that expires at the end of this year.
Revenues from the new measure would fund transit services benefiting Seattle residents through the Seattle Transportation Benefit District. Proposition 1 was placed on the ballot when Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed Council Bill 119833 on July 31. The proposition increases the current 0.1% sales tax to 0.15%, which is anticipated to generate roughly $39 million annually over the next six years to fund transit service, capital projects, and transit access programs.
Share this:
Annual Giving Drive offers virtual “office hours”
This year, the Annual Giving Drive is offering virtual information sessions to make it easier for you to participate in the 2020 campaign.
The Annual Giving Drive’s Campaign Assistants are hosting Zoom “office hours” where you can ask questions, get help setting up pledges, discuss giving options, and more.
The virtual office hours are available:
- Mondays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to noon
- Wednesdays, from 1–2 p.m.
- Access the office hours through this Zoom link
For more information, contact your Employee Giving Program Ambassador, visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov or call 206-263-9405.
Share this:
Featured Job: Communications Specialist III
Salary: $78,992.16 – $100,127.46 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020EY12395
Closing: 11/17/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Share this:
Executive Constantine statement on approval of Harborview bond measure
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement late Tuesday evening on the $1.74 billion Harborview Medical Center bond measure after King County Elections posted that it was passing by 77 percent of the vote in early returns.
“While there are still many votes to be counted, I thank the voters of King County for their support for Harborview Medical Center. These investments will ensure that our region continues to be the best place in the country to receive emergency medical care, and needed seismic upgrades will protect the lives of patients, employees, and visitors to Harborview. Besides helping people with behavioral health needs and better preparing the region to fight pandemics, the measure creates thousands of family-wage construction jobs at a time when our region needs them the most.
“Every generation has stepped up to support Harborview Medical Center. I am proud that this generation is no different.”
Share this:
Just over two weeks left in Annual Giving Drive
The 2020 Annual Giving Drive is about to enter its last two weeks, and you can help us reach this year’s goal of raising $2 million by making a pledge.
There are hundreds of nonprofits participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive, and many ways that you can take action to support participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world. Make a donation, make a difference, and help make a long-lasting change.
If you haven’t yet decided where you’d like your charitable dollars to go, here is a sampling of participating nonprofits to give you some ideas:
- Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (9794) For over 100 years, our community has trusted MOHAI to collect and share our community’s diverse stories of strength, innovation, and resilience.
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2712) Our pioneering cancer research has dramatically increased survival rates, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Help us find the next big breakthrough – be a lifesaver.
- King County Library System Foundation (9160) Promotes literacy, learning and libraries by providing support beyond public funding enabling KCLS to provide equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community.
- Emergency Feeding Program Seattle King Co. (9625) Provide nutritionally balanced emergency food packs to King County residents struggling with hunger. Accommodate special dietary needs.
You can go online or use a paper form by Friday, Nov. 20, to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits by:
- Payroll donation: One-time, once–per-month, or twice-per-month.
- Time donation: Eligible vacation or comp time. See your department Lead Ambassador for details in your office.
- Check or credit card: Made out directly to the nonprofit.
- Volunteering: Up to three sick days per calendar year at a nonprofit in the EGP (for non-represented and employees whose union has approved this benefit, including those covered by the Master Labor Agreement).
For more information, contact your Employee Giving Program Ambassador, visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov, call 206-263-9405, or attend an online Nonprofit Expo.
Share this:
Featured Job: Customer Information and Assistance Lead
Salary: $28.57 – $36.22 Hourly
Location: Kent, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DJA – Judicial Administration
Job Number: 2020JF12373
Division: Judicial Admin
Closing: 11/11/2020 4:30 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Share this:
Safety in the workplace – tailgating
This is a reminder a reminder to be vigilant in the workplace regarding your surroundings and people in the vicinity of your workplace. Recently, there have been increased incidents of ‘tailgating’ in county buildings.
What is tailgating? Tailgating is one of the most common security breaches. It starts out innocently, an employee opening a door and holding it open for others, visitors without badges, or the passive acceptance of a worker.
The problem with these situations is that they open your building to unauthorized entry by individuals who could intend to harm building occupants or steal items from the workplace including your personal items.
- Tailgating management depends on employee awareness and security awareness.
- Employees who become aware of visitors on their floors, in lobby spaces, etc., should ask if they have been helped yet, if they need directions or help finding someone.
- These simple measures help to foster a safe, open, inviting environment, by letting people know that you are aware that they are in the building. This shows good customer service as well as creates a safety culture.
If you notice anything concerning or see a person that should not be in your work space, contact FMD Security at 206-296-5000 immediately. In an emergency or you feel as if you are in imminent danger, call 911.
For any questions or concerns, please contact FMD Customer Care Services Team at CustomerCareServices.FMD@kingcounty.gov or 206–477–9400.
Employee News 