Training Spotlight: Lean Problem-Solving Basics, Communication and Problem Solving Skills, King County GIS training
Lean Problem-Solving Basics, Feb. 5: Do you feel like you tackle the same problems over and over again? In order to effectively solve problems once and for all, they must be solved at the root! Read more and register.
Communication and Problem Solving Skills, Feb. 7: This one day training will address communication and problem solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts and with defensive behavior. Read more and register.
King County GIS training, multiple dates: KC GIS is now offering its schedule of face-to-face GIS training classes in Seattle January through July 2019. Our GIS training program provides benefits to your employer through enhanced GIS effectiveness and ROI. GIS training also supports your future career development, while earning CEUs and GISP educational points. Read more and register.
Visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning to learn more about trainings and other opportunities to invest in YOU!
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Did you know you had this benefit? Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can help you save an average of 30% on certain medical care and dependent care expenses by using pre-tax dollars. Learn more here.
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Employee discounts to Monster Jam and Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Employees can now access discounted tickets to Monster Jam and Monster Energy AMA Supercross at CenturyLink Field in Seattle during March 2019. Monster Jam is Saturday, March 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. Click here for instructions for the discount. Monster Energy AMA Supercross is Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for instructions for the discount.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.
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Your Big Backyard is getting bigger
Crossposted from King County Parks Plog
King County Parks had a busy year making good on the levy promise to bring 2,700 acres into the King County system by 2020. By the time 2019 rolls around, Parks will be on the lookout for a mere 500 more acres to reach the goal. As an added bonus, scooping up lands happens to be in line with King County’s Land Conservation Initiativeto protect the livability, health, and ecological integrity of our region by preserving 65,000 acres of land within the next 30 years.
Read more at King County Parks Plog
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Volunteer registration now open for Count Us In 2019
All Home is now seeking volunteers for Count Us In 2019, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness. The count will take place in the early hours of the morning of January 25, 2019 from 2 a.m.-6 a.m. The core purpose of the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count is to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community. The count also provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of homelessness and to spark action. A successful and accurate PIT Count is an essential component to informing the system response to the need in our community and to ultimately making homelessness rare, brief and one-time. Register here.
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Employee experience: Housing affordability in King County
At King County we are a 15,000 strong workforce of people committed to serving our 2.2 million residents, but like many in our community, some employees are facing an unprecedented challenge in finding and keeping a home they can afford in the county in which they work.
As we continue to identify strategies to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in our communities, we want to hear from employees: What is your experience as a King County employee trying to buy or keep a home close to your work? What challenges do you encounter? What barriers do you face?
If you would like to share your story, please email us at KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov and let us know your experience. Your ideas and perspectives will help us identify and shape policies to provide sufficient affordable housing units and home ownership opportunities for all King County residents.
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“Keeping things simple” with the new Deputy Director of Local Services
Crossposted from Inside Transportation
The newly appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Local Services adheres to a fundamental rule when working to solve problems.
Don’t complicate things.
“I like to keep things simple,” Danielle de Clercq says. “Break it down to the basics. The simpler we can define the problem, the easier it is to solve.”
De Clercq’s approach has helped the Dutch-speaking, outdoor enthusiast empower people throughout her 30-year career. Whether she was shepherding the exponential growth of a solid waste startup, administering health education grant applications worth millions of dollars, or consulting on management and operations for companies, de Clercq has always focused on helping staff maximize their effectiveness and make their lives easier.
De Clercq (pronounced de-CLERK) brings those years of experience to Local Services, a department dedicated to improved delivery of government services to the 250,000 residents and businesses of Unincorporated King County. In addition to her ability to manage day-to-day operations and execute projects, Local Services Director John Taylor says it is de Clercq’s relationship with people that makes her the right person for the job.
“Danielle’s unique ability to empower people to improve their work lives to get the most out of their jobs is amazing,” Local Services Director John Taylor says. “Her ability to truly understand people is one of her biggest intangibles and is exactly what Local Services needs as we focus on delivering services to Unincorporated King County.”
Read more at Inside Transportation.
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John Taylor Confirmed as Department of Local Services Director
Crossposted from Inside Transportation
The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday gave its unanimous approval to the appointment of John Taylor to lead the newly formed Department of Local Services that is set to begin operations at the beginning of the year. Taylor, appointed by County Executive Dow Constantine in October, now formally serves as the director of the department that will better coordinate and deliver direct services to the nearly 250,000 people who live in unincorporated King County.
“John has worked in the unincorporated area and has already established wonderful working relationships with the citizens he will be serving in this new role,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who co-sponsored the appointment.
Read more at Inside Transportation.
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More tips for getting around SR 99 closure
Matching commuters with carpool apps
As the region prepares to face regional congestion starting after the evening commute January 11, 2019, with the closure of SR 99 through downtown and the permanent closure of the SR 99 Viaduct, King County Metro is partnering with carpooling apps Scoop and Waze Carpool to help match commuters and provide more mobility options to area employees!
For a limited time, riders earn discounts and drivers earn bonuses by following these four easy steps:
- Download a free carpool app (Scoop or Waze Carpool).
- Enter your trip locations and times.
- Get matched with neighbors or co-workers going your way.
- Book a ride and enjoy the benefits.*
More information is available at kingcounty.gov/carpool. *Service areas, pricing, and features vary across apps.
For commuters heading to, from, or through Seattle, this program creates another travel option to mitigate commute impacts. With expected traffic delays during peak hours, commuters who are unable to telecommute or use transit can help reduce their stress by leaving their car at home and sharing rides with others.
West Seattle commuters can use the new Ride2 Transit app offering on-demand rides to and from King County Metro bus routes and Water Taxi sailings. Ride2 is part of a package of new services including additional Water Taxi sailings, shuttles, and parking options during the Viaduct closure.
To learn more about the upcoming closures and how to best prepare, visit our Get Ready! page and King County’s Employee Transportation page to check out the benefits offered to you and explore your options.
Maximizing your time
If adjusting your schedule, working at an alternative location, teleworking, or taking vacation are options for your job for any of this period, please discuss these beforehand with your supervisor. We have existing policies that address attendance and work schedules, and a website with our telework policy, forms and templates that can assist your planning.
Also, try to limit meetings with external partners and people coming from outside Seattle during this period, or conduct meetings using Skype for Business (formerly Lync), as arriving on time will be very difficult.
Make the most of Fleet
If using a Fleet vehicle. consider extending vehicle reservations in Fleet’s Dispatch Reservation System, also known as INVERS, by 30-60 minutes to allow for additional travel time. Your agency will not be billed for the extra time unless it is used. If you have any questions related to the use of county vehicles during the closure, please contact your supervisor.
As always, be sure to contact Hossein if you have any employee transportation questions.
This is a map of the SR 99 closure through downtown Seattle. For more information visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/realign99.
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King County wins award for using Microsoft HoloLens to train staff at West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant
King County Information Technology (KCIT) has been recognized for using Microsoft’s HoloLens mixed reality device to train operators at a wastewater treatment plant. Partnering with Microsoft and local tech startup Taqtile earlier this year, KCIT launched a project that provides training to employees working at the West Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, ultimately winning a Digital Edge 50 Award for Digital Transformation. The County will be honored at the AGENDA 19 Conference hosted by CIO.com in March.
“We’re thrilled by this national recognition,” said King County CIO Tanya Hannah. “Our fantastic partnership with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks as well as Microsoft and Taqtile software allowed us to collaborate with so many experts on this solution.”
Read more at Geekwire.com. You can also learn more in this video below.
Employee News 
