Interactive webinar series for managers and supervisors, June 3
The Learning and Development Team within the Department of Human Resources is offering a live, interactive webinar series for managers and supervisors entitled Leading Remotely in Times of Uncertainty. The next webinar in this series, Staying Steady for Yourself and Your Team, will be held Wednesday, June 3.
This webinar will focus on how being a leader is a tough job during the best of times. In order to effectively lead a team, it is helpful to use self-care skills that can enable leaders to stay steady during the COVID-19 response- and beyond. By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the importance of self-care as a leader, identify ways to support their team, and customize a plan of action to take back to their team.
- Wednesday, June 3, from 9-11:30 a.m. Register here.
The webinar is free but space is limited. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Supporting each other and our community during COVID-19
With a guiding vision of “Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive,” King County employees are thinking about how best to support each other and our community through this pandemic. Though we are not all on the front lines, the actions we take are critical to the success of those who are.
Balanced You supports King County employees in living the “We Are One Team” value by providing tips on how you can do what you can, where you can to support the efforts of our front line workers to contain the virus and help those in our community who are most vulnerable. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
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Guidance for employees under City of Seattle curfew
Dear employee,
People in King County and across the country are demonstrating against racism, hate, and violence against black people and people of color in the United States, sparked by the killing in Minnesota of George Floyd, who died with a white police officer’s knee pressed to his neck.
Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has announced a 5 p.m. curfew effective today, Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31.
Employees are advised that per the curfew, they should remain in their residence to the extent possible and should refrain from traveling in and through Seattle, unless they:
- Need to commute to work during these hours
- Are experiencing homelessness
- Are in a medical emergency,
- Are in a dangerous situation
- Are first responders, health care workers, or working media roles.
Essential employees who must report should be prepared to provide the reason they need to be traveling in the city if asked by law enforcement.
We value and respect the peaceful expression of political views and people exercising their First Amendment rights. This is a challenging period in our nation’s history, and here in King County will continue to lead with racial justice in our work and stand together for a safe, diverse, welcoming community where every person can thrive.
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Featured job: Medic One Project/Program Manager I
Salary: $69,136.29 – $87,634.14 Annually
Location: Medic One – Kent, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020NH11699
Division: Emergency Medical Svcs
Closing: 6/3/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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HRA VEBA Plan webinars, June 9 and June 11
Employees are invited to learn about their HRA VEBA Plan benefits in an online webinar. Topics will include plan features, using the plan, covering expenses, investment options, and getting help. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) in a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) provides a tax-free rollover of leave cash-outs to an HRA VEBA Trust at retirement. These funds are used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses and premiums. Employees who retire from a group that voted to participate in either or both of the HRA VEBA options, will automatically be enrolled in an HRA VEBA Trust shortly after retirement.
- Tuesday, June 9 from 11-11:30 a.m. Register here.
- Thursday, June 11 from 3-3:30 p.m. Register here.
Space is limited, register now. For more information contact KC.Benefits@kingcounty.gov.
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Community without contact: Supporting innovative farmers through CSAs, online markets, and farm stands
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
All aspects of the local food economy have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and farmers are on the frontline making sure food is harvested, packed, and delivered in a way that prioritizes safe, healthy food for consumers. However, like many industries, farmers are facing financial hardship as sales outlets are limited or effectively gone as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
During these uncertain times, many farmers are getting creative to help consumers access fresh local food with online ordering, delivery services, and new pickup locations. The King County Local Food team has created a resource list that includes the ways you can support farmers through produce subscriptions and other innovative market options.
Read more.
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Mental Health Month week four: Supporting others
For the last week of Mental Health Month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “supporting others.” Widening our view from self-care to collective care by supporting others’ mental health is important, especially during the ongoing pandemic, which has increased stress for so many.
While you may not be able to fix someone’s mental well-being, there are simple things you can say or do to help people in your life who are struggling. Actions such as practicing active listening by giving your complete attention to the person talking, asking how you can help, not judging, and knowing when to call for more help can have a big impact on someone going through a tough time.
Furthermore, when you offer help to someone struggling with their mental health, you’ll also improve your health, as social connection and doing for others are closely linked to overall well-being and a stronger ability to bounce back from stressful situations. Visit the Balanced You blog for tips on how to start a conversation with someone you believe is struggling, and what you can do to support them.
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An update on our services
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
COVID-19 UPDATE: Pet adoptions resumed by appointment-only Monday, May 11 at 6 a.m.
Due to COVID-19, our adoption process has changed. Adoptions of our animals from our Kent shelter have switched to an appointment-based system. Please visit our pet adoption page to learn about this new process. For more information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit kingcounty.gov/covid.
Our number one priority at RASKC continues to be focused on delivering our mission of “Helping People and Pets.” We are honored to be of continued service to our communities, both in person when needed as well as online. You can access many of our services from the comfort of home.
Read more from Tails from RASKC
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Recognizing Metro operators for their dedication and commitment
The Seattle Times recently highlighted how the public is saluting Metro operators with bubbles and joy in an article from their Stepping Up series, which focuses on “moments of compassion, duty and community in uncertain times.”
The article shares how residents prepare for the next bus to drive by to show their appreciation. “Then the self-proclaimed ‘Bubble Brigade’ hooted and hollered, waved signs of support and blew kisses and bubbles at the lumbering yellow and blue buses that rolled by and occasionally reciprocated the sidewalk salute with two loud horn honks.”
Read the full article in The Seattle Times. Image courtesy of The Seattle Times.
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Business Resource Center online resources and New Employee Packet
It can be challenging to begin a new position, as well as welcome a new member to the team. The Business Resource Center (BRC) offers an internal website and other online resources to help employees who are new to King County adjust to a new workplace that exists in a virtual environment.
The BRC now hosts a New Employee Packet section on their website to support employees with PeopleSoft functionality and other payroll-associated information. Employees will find links to many great resources, including:
- Benefits and Retirement website
- King County policies
- Technical resources
- PeopleSoft training materials and resources
- The Training Video Library
Hiring Managers are encouraged to add the link to the BRC New Employee Packet to their agency’s new employee onboarding practices. For more information about the BRC and it’s online resources, visit the BRC SharePoint site.
Employee News 