We can make a difference through the Annual Giving Drive
Dear fellow King County employee,
This year’s Annual Giving Drive comes at a time of enormous need. Communities around the world are struggling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Here in the United States, more than 240,000 people have already lost their lives to the virus, and the numbers continue to grow at an alarming rate.
Devastating wildfires once again raged across California and Oregon this year, and hurricanes ravaged communities around the Atlantic. Just this month, Hurricane Eta killed more than 150 people across Central America and the southeastern United States, while Typhoons Goni and Vamco claimed dozens of lives in the Philippines.
The Annual Giving Drive brings King County employees together to help people and support the causes that we care about. Whether it is advancing education, expanding access to safe, warm shelter, buying food for some of the 1 in 6 Americans that struggle with hunger, or providing clean water to villages all over the globe, our donations make a real impact on people’s lives.
Already this year, hundreds of employees have participated in the Annual Giving Drive, and you still have time to take part. You can go online or use a paper form through 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.
Thank you for all you do, both here and outside of work, to help our community and communities around the world thrive.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Share this:
Resolved: KCIT Customer Support delays
KCIT Customer Support Services has resolved its intermittent outages with its phone system.
If you have a technical issue, you may open a ticket in the Cherwell portal for support or call our support desk staff. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Share this:
Guidance on temporary statewide restrictions announced by Governor
On Sunday, Nov. 15, Governor Jay Inslee announced temporary restrictions to be in effect statewide until Dec. 14 to slow the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. The new restrictions, with the exception of changes to restaurant operations, go into effect on Monday, Nov. 16 at midnight (12:01 a.m. Tuesday); restaurant changes go into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Indoor gatherings with people outside the household will be prohibited unless they quarantine for the 14 prior to the social gathering or quarantine for the seven days prior to the gathering, and receive a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 48-hours prior to the gathering. Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than five people. Get the full guidance here.
These new restrictions are in addition to the protocols in place for King County employees. Mandatory telecommuting remains in effect through July 5, 2021, for those employees who are currently telecommuting, except where there is an operational need to physically return to the workplace. In-person customer services that are currently suspended also remain suspended through July 5, 2021.
First responders and mission critical employees continue to deliver vital in-person services, with heightened safety measures and protocols in place. Employees must wear face masks over their noses and mouths if they are likely to be in contact with another individual and distancing of six feet is not able to be maintained. The County has cloth masks available for all employees to use in the workplace. Individuals should use County provided masks or substantially similar masks in the workplace. Bandanas, gaiters, buffs, vented masks and face shields are not permitted substitutes for masks.
King County Executive Dow Constantine said that the Governor’s announcement is the right thing to do under the dire circumstances we now face.
“The number of hospitalizations in King County last week increased by over 70 percent compared to the previous four weeks,” Executive Constantine said following the Governor’s announcement. “There are twice as many people in local hospitals with COVID-19 as there were just a month ago. This is the most critical issue: We have to reverse this trend before our hospitals become overwhelmed.” You can read the Executive’s full statement here.
Please see the County’s Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery and Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy for full workplace guidance. For additional questions, talk to your department’s Human Resources Manager (employee access only).
Share this:
2020 Employee Giving Drive ends Friday, Nov 20
King County’s annual Employee Giving Drive ends this Friday, Nov. 20 (2020). This week, we’re featuring nonprofits whose work supports the LGBTQ community:
- Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center (9216) – As the leading provider of HIV/STI testing in King County, our mission is to cultivate access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation, and joy in our communities
- Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center (9332) – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth programs for ages 11-22. Develops leadership, social, and life skills through 48 programs in 9 locations in King County.
- LGBTQ Allyship (0971) – Builds power among LGBTQ communities and allies in Washington State to work towards economic, racial, and gender justice.
See all participating nonprofits
Go online or use a paper form and pledge to support your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits. There are many ways to donate:
- 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:
KCIT Customer Support experiencing delays
KCIT Customer Support Services is experiencing intermittent outages with our phone system. Users calling in are not able to immediately connect with staff and may experience dropped calls or delays. KCIT is working to restore services as quickly as possible.
If you have a technical issue, please open a ticket in the Cherwell portal for support instead of calling in. We will send an update when systems are restored. Thank you for your patience.
Share this:
Featured Job: Administrative Specialist II
Salary: $48,004.94 – $60,849.36 Annually
Location: WA 98166, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020DB12366
Division: Community Health Services
Closing: 11/22/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Share this:
Keep the plumber off your holiday guest list – and grease out of your (and our) pipes!
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
Did you know plumbers refer to the day after Thanksgiving as “Brown Friday” because of the uptick in business they get from feast-clogged pipes and sewer lines? Fats, oils and grease (also known as “FOG”) can cause major home plumbing issues – as well as problems in the sewer system. Just as fatty foods clog arteries, FOG sticks to the inside of pipes causing blockages and backups of raw sewage, that can put your family’s health and the environment at risk.
Share this:
Featured Job: Customer Service Specialist II – Property Tax
Salary: $22.04 – $28.07 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DES – Executive Services
Job Number: 2020JM12413
Division: FBOD-Finance & Business Ops
Closing: 11/22/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Share this:
Join DDECSD at their 31st Annual Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum, November 23
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
King County’s annual Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum, hosted by the Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports (DDECSD), is marking its 31st year. Join us on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, from 7–8:30 p.m. for this community conversation.
On this special evening we will hear stories from community members and present King County’s related legislative priorities that will help all people live full, integrated and productive lives. Last year, we hosted close to 600 community members at this event and welcomed 30 state legislators.
Share this:
Moving to Teams: Making 911 calls on the right phone
When employees are working remotely, or teleworking (i.e. not at a King County location), and need to call 911, they are reminded to use their home phone or cell phone – not their Teams phone or Skype phone if possible – to place their 911 call.
When employees use Teams or Skype to call 911 when not in a King County building, the call is first routed to a regional 911 center in Colorado, where the employee will need to provide their location before being transferred to the correct local 911 center. While the employee will be directed to the right 911 center, it takes precious extra seconds. Of course, if Skype or Teams is the only option to use, then do use it.
So please remember, employees should use their home or cell phone to call 911. Find out more about our switch to Teams.
Employee News 