DES featured in new book, “Solving the People Problem”
Crossposted from the DES Express
A new book, “Solving the People Problem; Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace,” will be published at the end of the month. The book features several examples of how DES, specifically the Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD) and the Business Resource Center (BRC), have had success using the tools associated with the DISC profile to improve communication, relationships and productivity.
The book includes an example of how the BRC has improved communication and increased productivity across the organization, while raising engagement, using the agency-wide DISC assessment and a “Step Up and Step Back” approach.
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Register for the Procurement Technology Modernization Open House on October 1
The Procurement Technology Modernization (PTM) project is well underway and fast approaching some major milestones. This project includes two system implementations: Oracle Procurement and Concur Travel and Travel Expense Reimbursement.
The Oracle Procurement system includes a new service request and solicitations module, along with a self-service supplier registration module. It is scheduled to launch on October 26. Right now, the project team is focused on executing a phased training approach including Procurement and Payables staff, agency representatives, and eventually all relevant agency users. The second system implementation of the PTM project, the Concur system, offers King County employees traveling for work an automated way to seek travel approvals, book travel, and submit travel expense reimbursement. This system is currently undergoing testing, and training opportunities will be announced in the next few weeks.
Please join us on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. via Zoom for the second PTM Agency Open House to learn more details about PTM and get your questions answered. Click here to register today.
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Utility of the Future Today and awards for outstanding performance
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.
The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and leader in the overall sustainability and resilience of the communities they serve. WTD was recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a Utility of the Future Today, as well.
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Emergency Management awarded a grant to plan for catastrophic disasters
Crossposted from the DES Express
Following a major earthquake, the supply chain that delivers life-sustaining products to our region will be impacted. King County Emergency Management received nearly $930,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program to establish a framework that lays out alternative modes of delivering these much needed products, specifically using our region’s waterways.
Equity and social justice is a large component of the grant, and the framework will work to ensure that it includes distributing goods and services to the diverse and traditionally underserved populations and communities in the region. The grant is a cross jurisdictional effort including counties, cities, and tribal nations. King County Emergency Management will start this work in early 2021.
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Halloween tips from Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Holidays are going to be different this year, no question about it. But we all need to have some festivity, especially in the midst of the all we’ve had to deal with this year. Halloween has some good celebration options since many activities can be outside and mask wearing is part of the holiday, but there are still some risks with COVID circulating. Public Health has tips to prevent illness, help our community stay on track for reopening, and still retain some of the spooky and sweet flavor of Halloween.
First, the basics: when planning your Halloween activities, follow the fundamentals of COVID prevention. Limit close contact with other people, limit touching points, and practice good hand hygiene.
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Featured Job: Administrative Specialist III
Salary: $25.38 – $32.17 Hourly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk
Department: DJA – Judicial Administration
Job Number: 2020JF12150
Division: Judicial Admin
Closing: 10/2/2020 4:30 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Resources for caregivers during COVID-19
A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Employees who are caregivers for adults and elders are some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic. While caregiving can be joyful and rewarding, it can also be overwhelming or stressful for even the most resilient people. The pandemic, which has increased social isolation and decreased or changed availability of social services, has made the role of caregiving even more challenging.
A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found unpaid adult caregivers are so stressed, they are experiencing disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal thoughts. During Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, Balanced You reminds caregivers we are here for you with tips and resources to help you attend to your own emotional well-being and support your caregiving efforts. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources.
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Update on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget
Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his 2021-2022 Proposed Budget to the King County Council this week. Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, recorded a short video about the budget for employees, including a brief overview of three important initiatives—anti-racism, Health Through Housing, and the COVID-19 response.
Council expects to adopt the budget on Nov. 17 after extensive deliberations and public comment. For more information, view the video below.
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Upcoming Making Life Easier – Wellspring webinars
Choose from these upcoming webinars. Register early for live interactive sessions as space is limited; otherwise, recordings will be available on-demand 48 hours after the live session.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention: A Learning and Conversation Session, Sept. 23. This live presentation and panel will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
Pandemic Loneliness: How to Seek More Connection, Oct. 7. This live presentation will take place Wednesday, Oct. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
Connecting With Your Wisdom & Strength: Tools for Persisting In These Times, Oct. 27. This live presentation will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn more and register here.
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Pet of the Week: Benji
Looking for a handsome, high-energy pal? Our Pet of the Week Benji may fit the bill! This young Australian cattle dog mix was brought in by his former owner because he was overwhelmed by the children in the home. Based on that history, the caretakers at the Pet Adoption Center feel that a home with adults or older, dog-savvy kids would be the best fit for this amazing boy.
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
Employee News 