Today is “Smoke Ready Communities” Day
This spring has already been warm and dry, creating ideal conditions for wildfires across our state this summer and fall. The last two years, the Puget Sound region dealt with poor air quality for weeks due to wildfire smoke, and forecasters expect another summer of smoky skies. King County Executive Dow Constantine has declared today to be Smoke Ready Communities Day, a day of awareness about the danger of wildfires and the associated smoke. Prepare now so you’re ready when conditions take a turn for the worse.
King County is partnering with the City of Seattle, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and other regional stakeholders to help our communities prepare for and function during what is expected to be another summer of skies filled with wildfire smoke.
View more tips and resources to help you be prepared at www.kcemergency.com/wildfire-smoke-info.
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Juneteenth celebration: A Day of Remembrance
In observance of Juneteenth, the King County Superior Court is hosting a Juneteenth A Day of Remembrance celebration. It will be held today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Youth Services Center (YSC) Main Lobby at 1211 East Alder Street, Seattle, WA 98122. The event is free and open to the King County work community. Join the Superior Court for exhibits, live entertainment and food!
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KCIT staff craft for equity
Pictured: KCIT employees in the Rainbow Circle.
Doing good by being creative—now that’s pretty crafty. It’s all possible at the weekly Tuesday lunch gatherings of the Rainbow Circle in the Chinook Building.
The Rainbow Circle founded by Jennifer Broadus, the lead of the King County Information Technology (KCIT) Equity and Social Justice events team. It grew out of her desire to bond with other knitters while helping the community in an intentional way by creating projects to support organizations in the Employee Giving Program.
“We pick different nonprofits with an equity lens,” Jennifer explains. “That might include helping kids with cancer or homeless youth, and supporting them through our efforts.” The group is currently supporting LGBTQ+ nonprofits in celebration of June Pride Month.
Soon after starting the group as a knitting circle, it quickly became apparent other crafters were a natural to join their efforts, Jennifer says. As such, anyone with a passion, say, for felting to crochet to quilting, is encouraged to join the Rainbow Circle.
In the fall, the Rainbow Circle will shift gears and use their time to make kits for folks experiencing homelessness. The kits contain useful, small items for those without permanent housing, Jennifer says, including toiletries, shampoo, wet wipes, resource pamphlets and information.
Interested in starting a similar group in your building? Jennifer Broadus can send you the charter for the Rainbow Circle. She can be reached at jbroadus@kingcounty.gov.
The Rainbow Circle schedule for the next few months is:
- 6/25 – CNK 119
- 7/2 – CNK 118
- 7/9 – CNK 121
- 7/16 – CNK 126
- 7/23 – CNK 126
- 7/30 – CNK 126
- 8/6 – CNK 120
- 8/13 – CNK 126
- 8/20 – CNK 124
- 8/27 – CNK 126
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Show your Pride at 2019 Seattle Pride Parade
Pictured: King County Executive Dow Constantine marches with the King County contingency in the 2018 Pride Parade.
It’s less than two weeks until the 2019 Seattle Pride Parade, and King County is getting ready to celebrate.
Join your colleagues, friends and family Sunday, June 30, as we march to celebrate and support Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community.
The King County contingent will be staging on 4th Avenue, between Union Street and University Street. Just look for the Metro Bus or Medic One Rig to find us. The Parade route is about a mile long and will end near Seattle Center at 2nd Avenue and Denny Way.
We recommend people arrive at 10:30 a.m. if they want a free t-shirt (150 free t-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in adult sizes only). Others are welcome to arrive later to limit standing around time. The parade starts at 11 a.m., and our contingent won’t start moving right away – likely closer to noon.
The weather may be warm so check the forecast and plan appropriately. Remember to stay hydrated and please make sure you’re prepared for your unique needs.
For more information about the County’s contingent, email Mariah Taylor at with “Pride 2019” in the subject line.
If you are scheduled to work and wish to attend the parade, please seek approval via your department’s applicable leave policies.
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Pet of the week: Oreo
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
This sweet guy is Oreo, our Pet of the Week!
This handsome senior boy is playful and affectionate. He has lived in a home with other cats and a large dog, as well as with younger and older kids. While Oreo’s previous family feels he makes a good indoor/outdoor cat, he would need to be supervised while outside and would probably enjoy being on a harness. He loves string toys, batting at them when you play with him. Oreo is very sweet and likes lots of petting, but is not very interested in being picked up.
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Featured Job: Communications and Community Relations Project Manager
Salary: $90,542.40 – $109,449.60 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DLS – Local Services
Job Number: 2019MD10061
Closing: 6/23/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
The Department of Local Services (DLS) represents a comprehensive effort to improve the efficient, effective, and timely delivery of municipal services to the nearly 250,000 people who live in unincorporated communities of King County. The Road Services Division designs, builds, operates and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The division is a 24 hour per day, 7 day a week operation with work site locations in Renton, Downtown Seattle, and several remote field locations throughout King County. The division is responsible for 1,500 miles of road and 182 bridges, 5.7 million feet of drainage ditches, over 44,000 traffic control signs, 78 traffic signals, and 50 traffic cameras in unincorporated King County.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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New discount for employees at upcoming Seattle Storm games
King County employees can now save up to 33% off Seattle Storm tickets on several games held June 30-Sept. 1. To access the discount visit http://stormgrouptix.com/KingCounty. The Seattle Storm is a three-time WNBA Championship team committed to bringing a premium professional basketball and entertainment experience to a fan base rich in tradition and support.
See all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
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Tips to keep cool
With temperatures already forecast to be above normal this week, keep these tips in mind to stay cool:
- Keep window blinds or curtains closed when outdoor temperatures skyrocket. This reduces indoor temps and reduces the strain on the HVAC equipment.
- Keep windows and doors closed in locations with HVAC.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- The county recommends against using indoor fans, as they can create “hot zones” in other places in the building and can create a fire hazard. Please don’t block or manipulate air vents or returns.
- Dress in layers to manage varying temperatures.
- The County standard for building temperature range is 70-74 degrees.
- Minimize extended time outside.
Read more from DES Express
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Apprenticeship rates at Children and Family Justice Center exceed requirements
By Alex Hurtado
Pictured: Business Development Contract Compliance (BDCC) Apprenticeship Coordinator, Daniel Peterson.
The Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC), now more than 80 percent complete, leads in total apprenticeship hours on King County projects and employs a diverse workforce earning family-wage jobs. As of December 2018, apprentices have performed 93,205 labor hours on the project. This project requires the use of state registered apprentices for 15 percent of all labor hours worked, and 17 percent participation from certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS). As of May, the CFJC project boasts a 25 percent apprenticeship rate and is meeting the 17 percent required rate for SCS businesses.
”King County’s long-standing apprenticeship program has had a profound impact on providing family wage jobs to many of King County’s residents,” said Daniel Peterson, the Business Development Contract Compliance (BDCC) team’s Apprenticeship Coordinator.
Read more from DES Express
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Save the Date! Free screening of “The Most Dangerous Year” June 25
June is PRIDE Month! In honor of PRIDE, The Department of Executive Services, King County is proud to collaborate with the Meaningful Movies Project to bring the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Most Dangerous Year,” to our employee community for a screening and discussion. By Seattle writer and director, Vlada Knowlton, the film chronicles the journey by many Washington families with transgender children and the anti-transgender legislation in Washington in 2016. Knowlton, will be on hand to facilitate a Q & A session immediately after the screening. The film is 89 minutes.
Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chinook Building Room 121, 401 5th Ave., Seattle
This event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP here.
Employee News 