Social Media Spotlight: King County Solid Waste Facebook
We bring the best people together to deliver value to our customers and stakeholders and continuously improve waste prevention, resource recovery, and waste disposal. King County operates eight transfer stations, two drop-boxes, the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, and many programs to help customers recycle. Learn more about the Solid Waste Division at kingcounty.gov/solidwaste.
Follow King County Solid Waste on Facebook today.
Click here to view all King County social media pages.
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Nominate an Administrative Professional and save the date for Administrative Professionals Recognition event, April 25
Recognize an exceptional administrative professional in your area or someone you work with that has gone above and beyond to provide you with exceptional service. Any King County employee is eligible to nominate an administrative professional for recognition.
All nominations are due by close of business day on Friday, March 30. Nominations can be submitted electronically here, or via or a scanned paper nomination form, and sent directly to AdministrativeProfessionals@kingcounty.gov. To review the eligibility and nomination process, visit the Administrative Professionals website.
Also save the date for the third annual Administrative Professionals Recognition Day Event. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information to follow.
For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
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Rev Up For Retirement seminar, April 25
Are you too young to think about retirement? Think again! This retirement overview is for anyone who thinks they may retire in the next few years. With increasing concern over the future of Social Security and the stability of retirement plans, it’s a good idea to stay informed and prepare in advance.
Join us for a three-hour seminar featuring guest speaker Jean Cormier, who will discuss your Medicare choices and options, and representatives from the Social Security Administration and the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington.
We’ll also talk about the current retirement climate and projections for the future, and the resources available to you through King County.
Wednesday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eighth Floor Conference Center, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle
Registration is required. Due to space limitations, only county employees may attend. Click here to register. Please note attendance is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related. For more information, contact King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations by e-mail at KC.Orientations@kingcounty.gov.
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Meet the Archives
Crossposted from Bytes and Boxes
Those of us in the archives profession are often surprised (shocked!) to discover that there are people in the world who don’t know what an archives is or what archivists do.
So, to help demystify archives in general, and to let everyone see what a friendly and approachable bunch we really are, in this post we share a series of brief interviews with us, the staff of the King County Archives.
And now, we invite you to meet the Archives team…in alphabetical order!
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- Jill Anderson, Assistant Archivist
- Agnes Castronuevo, Archives Reference Specialist/Administrative Specialist
- Danielle Coyle, Archives Administrative Specialist
- Amanda Demeter, Assistant Archivist
- Greg Lange, Archives Reference Specialist/Administrative Specialist
- Karisa O’Hara, Archives Technical Specialist/Administrative Specialist
- Rebecca Pixler, Assistant Archivist (Retired)
- Carol Shenk, County Archivist
Read more at Bytes and Boxes
Pictured: Top row left to right, Jill Anderson, Assistant Archivist, Agnes Castronuevo, Archives Reference Specialist/Administrative Specialist, Danielle Coyle, Archives Administrative Specialist, Amanda Demeter, Assistant Archivist. Bottom row left to right, Greg Lange, Archives Reference Specialist/Administrative Specialist, Karisa O’Hara, Archives Technical Specialist/Administrative Specialist, Rebecca Pixler, Assistant Archivist (Retired), Carol Shenk, County Archivist.
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Puget Sound Engineering Council names King County employee 2018 Government Engineer of the Year
Pictured: Wastewater Mechanical Engineer Lead Jeff Lundt
On Feb. 3, the Puget Sound Engineering Council honored Wastewater Mechanical Engineer Lead, Jeff Lundt as the 2018 Government Engineer of the Year. Jeff is in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Wastewater Treatment Division.
Jeff was recognized for his many contributions to improving the region’s wastewater infrastructure. His dedication and tireless efforts in providing training for professionals in all areas of water and wastewater treatment have benefited thousands, ensuring operators and engineers understand and are informed of best practices, current trend in the industry, fundamental concepts and new technologies so utilities can – now and in the future – have the staff and knowledge to keep our waterways clean and our drinking water safe. Jeff’s contributions toward advancing Wastewater Treatment Division’s mission are much appreciated. Congratulations Jeff on this wonderful achievement!
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United Way’s 2018 free tax prep campaign for King County employees
Tax season is upon us and King County would like to highlight United Way of King County’s free tax preparation services as a convenient option available to you, your family members, and your community! Tax time can be stressful and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be; consider taking advantage of this free service so you can avoid costly tax preparation fees and maximize your refund.
United Way offers free tax preparation services at over 30 locations throughout King County and online from now through April.Households making under $66,000 can have their taxes prepared by a certified tax preparer, plus they can get connected to other community resources and public benefits.
There are two easy ways to file:
- Online – File your taxes online for free with United Way’s My Free Taxes tool if your household makes under $66,000 at www.MyFreeTaxes.com.
- In-person – Thirty locations can be found throughout King County with convenient hours to meet your schedule. No appointments are needed. To find a location near you, languages available, a list of what to bring, and other details, visit www.FreeTaxExperts.org or call 2-1-1.
More information is also available within this informational flyer.
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Our youth are speaking, and we need to listen
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog
Building a community where young people are valued, respected, and engaged as leaders of today is fundamental to our collective vision for Best Starts for Kids. Next month on this blog, we’ll begin a series of posts about how we can support the young people in our lives and communities. We’ll discuss concrete actions you can take, resources and tips for adults, and reflections on what it means to build this community together. If you have a question, want to suggest a topic for this series, or just want to give a shout-out to a young person doing great things in your community, let us know.
In the aftermath of such tragic loss in Parkland last week, we are witnessing our youth teach us how to be leaders—we need to watch and learn. We are witnessing our youth organize—we need to join them. We are witnessing our youth raise their voices to be heard over the politics of adults—we need to amplify it. We need to be with them in any manner they want us to be. This week, one young man said, “We need to scream until they listen.” They shouldn’t have to scream. We should be listening.
Read more at the Best Starts for Kids Blog
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It’s Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week!
Crossposted from the Noxious Weeds Blog
As spring approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on what we can do this year to help the natural world here at home. Learning about and taking action to help stop the spread of invasive species is one great way to give Washington’s natural world a hand.
In honor of Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb 25-Mar 3), the Washington Invasive Species Council has given us an excellent list of ways we can help fight invasive species. Below is a short excerpt of their ideas (with some King County links added by me). Read the whole list here.
Clean your hiking boots, bikes, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles, and other gear before you venture outdoors to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. Visit the council’s Washington Invasive Species Education (WISE) Web site to learn more about preventing spread.
Read more at Noxious Weeds Blog
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Read across America
Crossposted from Go, Green Team!
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
On March 2, students across the United States will celebrate and encourage reading. March 2 also happens to be Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Let’s all celebrate learning and reading together. What’s your school doing for Read Across America?
Read more at Go, Green Team!
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We must act now to end gun violence
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Dear fellow King County employee,
On February 14 – Valentine’s Day – 14 children and three adults in Parkland, Florida, lost their lives in a manner that has become all too familiar in America: a senseless school shooting.
This horrifying event is another tragic reminder that we must act to end the epidemic of gun violence that has engulfed our nation, to stand up for those who have had their lives brutally taken, and to fight to keep our children and public places safe.
Last month I testified in Olympia for two bills: promoting safe storage of firearms, and allowing local governments to pass common sense safeguards, such as requiring reporting of stolen firearms and restricting children’s access to firearms. At the time, I noted that gun violence is a public health crisis, and it is preventable. We can attack it the same way we have reduced deaths from smoking and auto collisions.
That’s why I directed Public Health – Seattle & King County to develop innovative, data-driven local strategies for preventing gun violence in King County. This has led to programs like Lok-it-up, which can help prevent firearm theft and keep guns from getting into the hands of kids and being used in crimes and for self-harm.
State and federal law pre-empt our ability to regulate firearms, but that should not stop us from thinking innovatively about what we can do within our own authority to fight this scourge.
When we witness tragedies like the massacre in Florida, we need to support one another. If you would like to speak with someone, King County provides two free services to employees that offer professional support and advice: the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier. Both resources are free and confidential.
As we mourn so many young lives cut short, we must take a stand, continue to work collectively, and redouble our efforts to end gun violence here in King County and across our nation.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Employee News 