Kudos! DPER employee appreciated by customer!
Pesha Klein, an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Permitting and Environmental at the Vashon Island Office, received the following note of appreciation from a visitor to the Vashon Office:
“Thank you very much for your insightful assistance today. I came in there expecting to hit a wall and leave frustrated. What I found was just the opposite. You were entirely helpful and actually concerned that I was taking in all the information that you shared with me. Yes I did, yes I have and I am moving forward. All the best!”
Kudos to Pesha for going above and beyond to help a customer!
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Did you know you had this benefit? King County offers medical coverage options for employees who are retiring
If you retire before age 65, King County offers two types of coverage, COBRA and Retiree Medical. Learn more here.
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Achieving net-zero at King County Parks North Utilities Crew Shop
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
How do you solve a problem like achieving net-zero energy use? If you’re the King County Parks team working at the North Utilities Trails Crew Shop near Marymoor Park, you do it through solar panels, new lights and efficient heat pumps and air conditioners. By utilizing these tools they were able to solve the design and financial puzzle of achieving net-zero energy on two buildings with limited roof space available for solar power.
For their efforts the Parks team was awarded the inaugural King County Executive Performance Excellence Award in the Environment category. The awards were created to recognize projects, improvements, and innovations in departments that are driving exceptional, measurable results.
Read more from Keeping King County Green
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Solid waste management equipment highlighted for Star Wars resemblance
My Northwest recently ran a story that highlighted “The Mole,” which was a piece of equipment used by the Solid Waste Division back in the 1960s. The Mole bears a striking resemblance to a prop used in Star Wars, and the article sought to get to the truth. Read the full story here. Learn more about how the trash-eating monster was once used to clean up King County in the video below.
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Go Public with Hannah
This week our ongoing series featuring employees talking about why they chose a King County career and how they are making a difference in our community features Hannah Johnson, a Communications Specialist with the Best Starts for Kids Program in the Department of Community and Human Services.
Learn more about our careers at www.KingCounty.gov/jobs.
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Public Health Actually: What we love about 2018
Crossposed from Public Health Insider
Love is all around us–at least love for public health, that is! We’re nearing the end of 2018, and that means it’s time to look back at our department’s hard work with partners throughout the year for a healthier community. Peruse our (not exhaustive) list of achievements, but before you do, take a few moments to watch a video inspired by the 2003 holiday-themed romantic comedy, Love Actually, that celebrates our staff and our mission – and has a little fun along the way.
Read more at Public Health Insider
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Celebrating the successes and challenges of working women
The recently held Washington Women in Trades “Dream Big Dinner” honored the legacy of “Rosies” – a nickname for “Rosie the Riveter” – women who worked in factories during World War II. The award ceremony recognized the successes and challenges of working women, as well as students, advocates, and workplace leaders.
The event was attended on behalf of King County by Joe Baca, a Community Workforce Agreement Administrator in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Wastewater Treatment Division, and Samantha Kealoha, Labor Equity Program Manager with the Department of Executive Services Finance and Business Operations Division. The two were seated with Georgie Kunkel, a 98-year-old comedian and honorary “Rosie” for the night, who participates in talks and poetry readings at open mic events across the region. Joe and Samantha enjoyed being able to represent King County at the event as it gave them insight into the history of these amazing women.
“It gave me an opportunity to witness all the achievements these proud women shared from their lives during World War II,” said Joe. “Without them, the foundation for bringing the country together during turbulent times would not have happened so early in our history.”
Pictured: At this year’s Washington Women in Trades “Dream Big Dinner,” King County employees Samantha Kealoha and Joe Baca were seated with Georgie Kunkel, a 98-year-old comedian and honorary “Rosie” for the night.
The event also highlighted the current status of women, and others, in the trades industry. It shared information about the efforts of King County and surrounding areas to diversify the industry and include underrepresented workers.
“This event represents the sisterhood within the industry and how we are changing the face of the industry,” said Samantha. “Data shows that our region has surpassed the national average for women representation in this industry and events like this [dinner] recognize that push and those women and individuals who are part of this effort for change. “
King County looks forward to continuing this work, building a brighter, better future grounded in the passionate, capable work of those women and others who came before, like Georgie. Joe captures the sentiment of the evening for him and Samantha below, and how exciting it is to be part of that change.
“The event allowed me to be a witness to the achievements and honors bestowed on the women in the construction trades of today, and continue to marvel at their strength, abilities, and courage to be leaders,” he said. “I have no doubt the perseverance of the women in trades today will leave a shining example for new generations to follow, and I hope to be a part of this for many years to come. “
The “Dream Big Dinner” was well attended by public agencies, a host of “Rosies,” labor unions, contractors, apprentices and journey workers, and other honored guests. For more information about the Women in Trades Fair and the Dinner visit www.wawomenintrades.com/dream-big-dinner.
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Thank you to you, our readers
Our top stories, videos, and social media posts for 2018
Throughout 2018, the Employee Communications Team highlighted the professional accomplishments, County opportunities and important events, challenges and successes of our employees, sharing these in our weekly Employee News e-newsletter, the KC Employee News blog, our Twitter account, LinkedIn account, and YouTube channel.
Thank you to all our readers for engaging with our content, sharing it with others, and continuing to show us how we can provide you the information you need to succeed in your career, live a healthy life, and do great work for our residents and our community.
The 10 most-clicked Employee News stories for 2018 were:
10. Accomplished artist brings “East Base Flair” to transit center – 532 views
9. King County remembers Sue Ammeter – 537 views
8. New department focused on helping employees succeed – 649 views
7. Employee proud to have positive impact, helping local youth succeed – 655 views
6. GPS locators coming to fleet vehicles – 729 views
5. New Departments and Leadership Transitions – 816 views
4. The bare bones: How WA State’s only forensic anthropologist does it all – 890 views
3. Employee workgroup takes on equity challenges – 920 views
2. Michael Bennett – Real man, real mentor, real inspiration – 1,005 views
1. State retirement plan contributions increased Sept. 1 – 1,167 views
The three most-watched videos were:
3. Get to know the Senior Leadership Team – Whitney Abrams – 1,547 views
2. Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy – 1,847 views
1. Introducing King County Balanced YOU – 2,343 views
The three most-clicked LinkedIn posts were:
3. When thinking about Equity and Social Justice (ESJ), most people immediately think about age, ethnicity, and gender. Fewer people look deeper and realize that job classification can also be an ESJ issue. Shawn Abernethy, Human Resources Manager for the Department of Executive Services (DES) has been leading a group focused on just that: equity within workgroups. http://ow.ly/D6rr30lS2W7
2. With Executive Dow Constantine’s encouragement, Director Jennifer Hills has been working to change the way King County approaches risk. Rather than focusing on avoiding negative risk, Executive Constantine wants the County to use a balanced approach and take risk where it can add value. http://ow.ly/gQLp30jCwSJ“
1. One of the most satisfying things that a well-made map can do is convey a sense of place. An especially well-made map may convey a sense of a past place that both infuses and transcends a present location. Read more about the Japanese-American Remembrance Trail Map from Patrick Jankanish, GIS Specialist and Sr. Cartographer with King County Information Technology http://ow.ly/14rB30jQtpq
The three most-interacted with Twitter posts were:
3. RJT is one of our #KingCounty @iheartkcparks team members, and also represented Team Washington on the soccer field @2018USAGames! Here he is in our Employee Spotlight. http://ow.ly/3OAV30kYrSW @KCDNRP @KingCountyWA @CareersKC #GoPublic! View it here.
2. KOMO News did a recent feature on how how King County prevents voter fraud while counting ballots: “Vote by mail is a secure voting system,” King County Elections Director Julie Wise said. Read more http://ow.ly/iXZx30mxpYh #KingCounty #Vote View it here.
1. #Inclusion works! Our Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson (center right) and two #KingCounty pros from @iheartkcparks and @kcmetrobus join @2018USAGames Job Fair host David Egan during the games in Seattle. #GoPublic @CareersKC @KingCountyWA @kcexec View it here.
Thank you for the amazing work you do every day and for giving us the opportunity to feature these achievements with other employees and the public. We strive to tell stories that highlight the work we do and that also supports our residents, builds strong communities, and helps to make our region a great place to live and work.
If you would like your work to be featured in Employee News in 2019, please email us at KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.
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Pet of the Week: Kermit
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
He’s a dog, not a frog – meet Kermit, our Pet of the Week!
This handsome young pittie mix is very sweet and snuggly! Kermit also loves to play and have fun. He can be a bit shy when meeting new people or being in new environments, but once he warms up he is a big ol’ sweetie who loves to do zoomies all over the yard!
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Happy Holidays, we appreciate you!
Happy Holidays all our King County employees! Enjoy this time with loved ones and please stay warm and safe. Know that we appreciate you and everything you do in your work at King County. Thank you for your commitment, time and passion.
Employee News 