Training Spotlight: Introduction to Public Speaking and Lean Basics
Introduction to Public Speaking, May 16: Would you like to reduce stage fight and gain more confidence in speaking in front of a group? Whether you need to give a formal presentation or an informal presentation at a staff meeting, learning key skills will increase your effectiveness and self confidence. In this course you will learn strategies to deal with nervousness, plan and deliver an effective presentation, and practice presentation techniques to capture audience attention. This course offers a supportive enviornment in which you will practice and recieve feedback and from the instructor and fellow participants. Register and learn more.
Lean Basics, July 18: Have you heard about Lean before? Have you wondered if Lean could be applied on your job? Come and join us in the Lean Basics course where you will become familiar with the fundamental principles of Lean; such as Waste Identification, Visual Management, and Continuous Improvement. Students will engage the materials through instructor lead classroom discussions, and interactive hands-on learning. Register and learn more.
View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Join King County for Pride 2019, June 30
Bring your Intersectional Selves and join your colleagues Sunday, June 30, as we march in celebration and support of Seattle’s LGBTIQQA community! All are welcome; feel free to bring your friends and family! Can’t make it to the parade? You can still order a t-shirt to show your support for the community (details to come).
Please email Mariah Taylor at mariah.taylor@kingcounty.gov with “Pride 2019” in the subject line.
- To remain informed: Get on the distribution list to stay up to date on Pride related activities including important dates, t-shirt sales, and Parade details. Mariah will send out updates as information becomes available.
- To get involved: We need individuals interested in serving on the Pride planning team and/or as cross departmental contacts to help coordinate activities along the way.
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Pet of the Week: Annie
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
The sun is out for Annie, our Pet of the Week!
This young Chinese Shar-pei/Pit Bull mix was a little shy when she first arrived, but her caregivers were patient and took time to get to know her. Once she realized how much they cared for her, Annie opened right up! She also has velvety soft fur that everyone loves to snuggle!
Read more https://tailsfromraskc.com/2019/04/12/pet-of-the-week-annie/
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2019 State of the County address
Dear fellow King County employee,
Yesterday I delivered my 2019 State of the County address at the Preston Community Center in East King County around the theme of our “True North”: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
These words sum up all that we’ve been working toward in the almost 10 years that I have served as your County Executive, and what we will continue to focus our efforts on in 2019 and beyond.
In my address, I announced a new Public Health model for maternity and nutrition services that includes the creation of four Mobile Teams to deliver maternity and nutrition services, and a new Community Support Program offering one-on-one visits by a social worker or other health professional to the highest-needs clients, allowing us to more effectively serve women, families, and children in our communities.
I also announced transit technology upgrades – beginning as early as next month – to provide better real-time information for apps like “One Bus Away”, so customers can get alerts when their bus trip is canceled or a bus stop is added or closed.
I also highlighted the actions we are taking to fight homelessness in our region, and the innovative solutions we are continuing to implement to get people into shelter, connected to services, and on their way to permanent housing. This summer, we will open SODO Interim Housing in modular dorms previously used to house oil field workers. By the end of the year, we plan to open the Elliott Avenue Shelter, modular housing and enhanced shelter services for 72 currently homeless people.
None of this work is possible without you and your colleagues, and I thank you for your dedication and commitment to your customers. I used yesterday’s address to say a special thank you to Metro operator Eric Stark, who after being shot in Lake City on March 29, safely steered his bus and passengers several blocks out of danger. I also acknowledged the Department of Local Services roads crew – some of whom work out of the Preston Maintenance Facility – for their tireless work during February’s unprecedented snowstorm. Their efforts, and the efforts of every employee, bring us closer to that True North, which you will hear more about over the coming months.
I encourage you to read the transcript or watch the video of my State of the County address to learn more about the initiatives and priorities I set out yesterday. I will also deliver my address to the King County Council on Wednesday, April 24, and you are invited to watch the live stream (more details to come).
I look forward to continuing our work together for the people of King County as we fix our sights on our True North and the promise it holds for this region.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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With one year until Census Day 2020, Executive Constantine, Mayor Durkan, and Seattle Foundation announce first-ever $1 million Regional Census Fund
Joined by community members at El Centro de la Raza, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, and Seattle Foundation President and CEO Tony Mestres created the first-ever Regional Census Fund to provide $1 million in funding to help community organizations prepare for the 2020 Census, which will be conducted April 1, 2020.
The Regional Census Fund is a $1 million pooled fund that will allocate money to Seattle and King County-based community organizations to help fund outreach and other activities for the United States 2020 Census.
Read more in the official press release.
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Local Services’ first Economic Development Program Manager looks forward to helping businesses succeed in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local
One of our goals at King County Local Services is to help our unincorporated communities thrive. This week, we took a big step in that direction as Hugo Garcia, our first Economic Development Program Manager, joined our team.
Hugo brings nearly 15 years of economic development experience, serving both rural and urban communities. He’s worked directly with small businesses during prosperous and tough economic times, and understands the dedication required to run a local business. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he immigrated to Seattle with his family in 1988. His father ran a restaurant here for years, which allowed Hugo to see first-hand the kinds of challenges small businesses face just to keep their doors open.
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DCHS employees get preview of True North and Values
Pictured: Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams discussing the Executive Branch True North statement.
Employees attending the Department of Community and Human Services’ quarterly All Staff meeting on Monday, April 15, got a sneak preview of the Executive Branch True North statement and values from Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams before they are officially launched later this year.
Whitney talked about the interconnected nature and interdependence of our work, and the need to connect our work to a central vision, a True North, and the actions that will help us achieve the True North vision.
“Some of the things that we’ve been hearing back as a Senior Leadership Team through our engagement surveys and in our bargaining with our labor unions is that we need to start defining at the leadership level what we’re here to do… and why we’re here to do what we do,” Whitney said. “As an enterprise of 14,000 employees, what are we here to do, the why, and how do we go about doing it, how do we show up, this is our vision and mission, our True North.”
King County Executive Dow Constantine will officially launch the True North and Values this summer, although County leaders are beginning to introduce them to employees prior to the mid-year launch.
More than 200 DCHS employees attended the quarterly All Staff meeting in person in the Chinook Building or via Skype to get updates from Director Leo Flor and other leaders, hear the latest about the department’s Equity and Social Justice efforts, and to celebrate employees receiving service awards and the recent successful completion of a departmental reorganization.
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Judicial Administration employees help to save a life
Pictured: Left to right, Adult Drug Diversion Court employees Tom Essex, Mary Taylor, Yuka Hayashi, and Christina Mason.
King County’s Adult Drug Diversion Court (Drug Court) is a nationally recognized program implemented in 1994. The program supports our community by providing treatment and other ancillary services under the auspices of the Court to eligible defendants with the goal of rehabilitation and empowerment.
Drug Court has saved lives both figuratively and literally with Wednesday, April 3, being no exception. After taking two doses of methadone and recognizing a potential overdose, a participant knocked on Drug Court’s door seeking help.
This program traditionally helps save lives over the course of many months, working with participants to help them achieve long-term results. Luckily for this participant, knocking on Drug Court’s door on Wednesday, our program had several amazing staff whose vision for the program also included providing immediate support services.
Tom Essex, Christina Mason, and Yuka Hayashi responded to this client in a way that truly makes DJA proud. These three professionals were able to handle the situation by responding calmly and respectfully but also with a sense of urgency and agency. From directly interacting with our participant, contacting emergency medical services, and having to administer Narcan – twice – this was not a typical day for Drug Court, but thankfully these three are not your typical employees.
Thank you so much to Tom, Yuka, and Christina. While we hope this type of situation doesn’t happen again, it is of great comfort knowing we have staff that can rise to the occasion.
Hear directly from Yuka, Christina, and Tom in the most recent King County Superior Court podcast, An Overdose in Drug Court
It started as a typical day with drug court clients sitting outside the King County Courthouse (Seattle) 9th floor courtroom, waiting for the doors to open. From the inside, Drug Court employee Yuka Hayashi heard a knock. Here’s what happened when she answered. Listen here.
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Featured Job: Animal Care Technician
Salary: $19.14 – $24.25 Hourly
Location: Kent, WA
Job Type: Multiple job types-career service and/or temp
Department: DES – Executive Services
Job Number: 2019JI09726
Closing: 4/29/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
Are you someone who takes great interest in the health and wellbeing of animals and can also work considerately and effectively with their human owners? Are you interested in being a leader in service excellence, committed to building an enduring legacy of continuous improvement and employee engagement? Are you a team player? Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is seeking dynamic and experienced Animal Care Technicians!
RASKC provides animal services to 24 cities and unincorporated King County, this includes: rescuing stray, injured, neglected or abused pets; reuniting orphaned pets with families and/or helping them find forever homes through RASKC’s pet adoption centers in Kent and Kirkland, including several other partner locations; providing pet licensing services; a wide array of volunteering opportunities and much more. King County is a national leader in improving animal outcomes as a municipal shelter, using data and model practices to achieve a 92% live release rate in 2017.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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