King County named a “Best-in-State Employer” for 2019
Last month, King County was named to Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Best-In-State Employers 2019.”
King County was ranked number 16 on the list of best employers in Washington after a survey of more than 80,000 people nationwide.
This recognition shows that we are making progress on our Investing in YOU strategy and our efforts to build a workplace culture of respect, innovation, and performance excellence.
It also reinforces what we heard in our latest employee engagement survey, in which 79% of employees said they would recommend King County as a great place to work, a two-point increase from our last survey. In addition, 81% of employees said they are proud to work at King County, also up two points.
The employee survey also identified areas that need greater focus, including opportunities to develop your skills, support from supervisors, workplace stress, and an inspiring vision from leaders. I will continue to work with my Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet to ensure we act on the things that you said are important to you.
In recent months, you may have heard me discuss my True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
This simple statement is our vision for King County, and sums up where we are going as an organization and what inspires us to come to work each day. The work that you do every day moves us a little closer to our True North.
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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City Hall Park treats and tunes
Looking for some quick eats and free tunes this summer? Check out the food trucks from BBQ to Thai, at City Hall Park, on 4th Ave and Yesler Way.
Upcoming concerts from noon to 1 p.m.:
- Tuesday, July 23: Happy Heartbreak
- Tuesday, July 30: Filion (Evie B)
Click here for a complete schedule and menus of food trucks at City Hall Park, or for more information visit www.seattlefoodtruck.com. For the upcoming schedule of concerts and for more information, click here.
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Featured Job: Public Relations Specialist – Council
Salary: $70,688.00 – $95,068.00 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appointed
Department: KCC – King County Council
Job Number: 2019-10211
Closing: 7/24/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking a hardworking and detail-oriented Public Relations Specialist to provide production support on graphic design, social media, website updates, photography and email newsletters for the King County Council and the entire Legislative Branch. This is an exciting opportunity to join the King County Council as a contributing member of its Communications team.
The Public Relations Specialist must be a detail-oriented, customer-focused, and self-motivated individual who works well with other team members to convey public policy and legislative actions to the public and constituents of King County. The successful candidate must possess the necessary technical background skills and be a good team player. They will pursue their tasks with energy and drive, and utilize effective time management skills, multitasking, and be willing to attend to other projects as required.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Training Spotlight: Basic Records Management
Basic Records Management, online: This course covers the basics of records management and the responsibilities of King County employees. It is required for most new employees by Executive Policy INF-15-6-EP. This class is available to King County employees online via the KC eLearning portal. If needed, learn how to logon to KC eLearning here. Sign in and start the class.
View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Executive Constantine announces new funding to prevent spread of hepatitis A
As urban areas across the United States grapple with hepatitis A outbreaks affecting people experiencing homelessness, Executive Constantine announced he is allocating $375,000 in new funding to expand free hepatitis A vaccinations to help prevent outbreaks in King County.
In April, a King County man living without permanent housing was diagnosed with the disease, heightening concerns about the possibility of a local outbreak. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can cause severe liver disease.
Since 2017, Public Health – Seattle & King County has held dozens of free vaccine clinics for people experiencing homelessness. This new funding will allow Public Health to intensify and expand hepatitis A vaccination efforts to help reduce the risk for large scale outbreaks.
Read more in the official press release.
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Pet of the Week: Charlie
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
Looking for a spirited, fun-loving guy? Our Pet of the Week could be the one for you!
Charlie is a young pittie mix looking for his forever home. His personality color is “Rambunctious Red.” He’s still working on his manners, so he will do best with a family who is willing to work with him and help him become the best dog he can be!
Charlie is a very smart boy who already knows “sit” and “shake” and would love to learn more. This fun guy has lots of energy and just loves to run around and play. He is also very affectionate and loves hanging out with his favorite people.
Read more from Tails from RASKC
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Employee Discount: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, August 4 and Employee Day at the Races, July 21
King County employees can get discounted tickets to the Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting Kansas City at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, at CenturyLink Field. Click here to buy tickets. All fans will receive their tickets via email 48 hours before the event. Questions? Contact Marco Rodriguez at 206-512-1257 or MarcoR@soundersfc.com.
Employees and one guest will receive free admission to Emerald Downs Racetrack Sunday, July 21 for the King County Express Stakes, which includes the Fiesta Premio Esmeralda. Employees must show their King County ID at any of the 12 gates, which will provide the employee and one guest tickets that include free admission, official program and tip sheet, and chips and soda. Children 17 and under get in free. Read more.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Learn how to boost your retirement savings
You and your spouse or significant other are invited to learn more about saving for retirement with the King County Deferred Compensation Plan.
Several in-person sessions are coming up July 30, July 31, and Aug. 1. See details and registration. Other education sessions are offered throughout the year.
For more information about Deferred Compensation Plan education—including webinars—go to the Deferred Compensation web page.
If you have any questions, please contact KC Deferred Comp.
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Supporting coworkers and setting high standards, Metro’s 2019 ‘Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year’ leads by example
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Pictured: Frank Wood is presented with the “Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year” certificate by General Manager Rob Gannon.
In just seven years at King County Metro, Frank Wood has established himself as the kind of coworker his fellow mechanics want to have around.
His supportive attitude and willingness to mentor new mechanics has inspired others and is a large part of why Wood was recently honored as Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year for 2019.
Wood accepted the award at East Base in front of family, coworkers, supervisors, and King County General Manager Rob Gannon.
“Frank Wood has set a standard that his fellow mechanics look up to and that is why we are here today. He is an integral member of his base team – reliable and positive in his work,” General Manager Gannon said. “His willingness to mentor new mechanics really strengthens and knits together the maintenance team and inspires others and shows why he is so deserving of this recognition. All of us at King County Metro value Frank’s service and dedication.”
Read more from Metro Matters
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Exec bikes Cedar River Trail, meets with employees
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently rode 10 miles on Cedar River Trail, a 17.4-mile paved multi-use trail that runs along Cedar River from Landsburg to Lake Washington, as part of his 100 miles in 100 days through King County Parks.
On the way back, he stopped at Cavanaugh Pond where King County staff updated him on a major floodplain project that will protect property and improve salmon habitat.
“We are very fortunate in this region to have those kinds of resources like a regional trail network, and those who came before us had the foresight to set these resources aside, to develop them, to protect them, to maintain them,” Executive Constantine said at the trail. “So that today we can enjoy it, and [we] have an obligation, I think, to keep building on that legacy.”
Watch the video below.
Employee News 