Tech Tip: Staying ahead of scams, spam, and phishing emails
Here’s what to look for when you receive an email you aren’t sure about:
- King County and KCIT use the King County logo and/or the “Service Alert” visual in all communication.
- Do not ever click on a link inside a suspicious email. If you need to change your password in any system, go directly to the website or system instead of clicking on a link in an Email.
- If the email seems odd, look for spelling errors and sentences that just don’t sound right.
- Hover over a link in your browser to uncover the real destination, regardless of what the text in the Email says it is.
- If you aren’t sure, don’t click. Contact the HelpDesk at 206.263.HELP or helpticket@kingcounty.gov.
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King County increased the pet adoption rate by a record 20 percent in a single year
Regional Animal Services of King County – which has dramatically increased the pet-save rate in recent years – set a new record for adoptions last year, delivering on Executive Constantine’s commitment to transform humane animal care.
Executive Dow Constantine thanked the staff and volunteers at King County’s animal services division for increasing the pet adoption rate by a record 20 percent in a single year, building on the successful transformation of regional animal services.
The latest milestone is the result of several strategies, including partnering with cafes and pet stores to make it easier to adopt cats, starting a new dog playgroup to help staff and volunteers better assess a dog’s behavior, revamping the volunteer program, and significantly increasing the number of pets that are licensed.
“Thanks to outstanding work by our staff and volunteers, we are delivering on the promise I made to the people of King County to set a new standard of excellence in humane animal care,” said Executive Constantine. “Our latest achievement – a record-setting increase in the number of pets that are adopted – demonstrates our unyielding commitment to continuous improvement.”
King County, which had once considered disbanding its animal services division after years of underperformance, has made extraordinary progress in recent years. Delivering on Executive Constantine’s commitment to transform Regional Animal Service of King County, the agency now has a pet-save rate of 92 percent, up from 51 percent in 2003.
Creative partnerships + innovative strategies = more pet adoptions
Regional Animal Services of King County connected 2,992 animals to new families in 2017, up from 2,467 the previous year. The 20-percent increase required innovative work by the staff and volunteers, such as partnering with local cafes and pet stores to make it more convenient for people to adopt cats:
- Covington: Petco
- Kent: Reber Ranch and RASKC
- Kirkland: The Whole Cat & Kaboodle and RASKC’s Eastside Pet Adoption Center located inside the Kirkland Petco
- Redmond: Café Cocoa
- Seattle: Meowtropolitan Cat Café in Wallingford and Neko Cat Café in Capitol Hill
- Tukwila: Petco and PetSmart
After earning a $75,000 grant from Petco Foundation, the agency replaced the stainless steel cat kennels in adoption rooms with more spacious, welcoming cat condos. The staff is now working with professional trainers to create a new behavioral modification program for dogs.
Foster Coordinator Lori Mason worked with volunteers to organize a 3-day garage sale to create cat colony rooms, spaces where people can now interact with cats in a fun, low-stress environment.
The staff transformed the dog behavioral assessment room into a brighter, more welcoming multi-use space where the dog feels more at ease during their intake session, and where potential adopters can become acquainted with an adoptable dog in the warm setting of the dog meet-and-greet rooms.
The staff started a dog playgroup so dogs can burn off excess energy before meeting potential adopters. It also helps the staff and volunteers better assess a dog’s personal and behavior in order to provide helpful background information to the potential adopter.
The agency significantly increasing the number of pets that are licensed – selling a record 111,000 licenses in 2017 – which increased the number of pets that are quickly and safely returned home.
The staff redesigned the agency’s website to provide a resource hub for volunteers, with video trainings that engage both current and prospective volunteers. With the leadership of Volunteer Program Coordinator Sarah Luthens, more than 750 volunteers donated a total of 120,523 hours, helping animals adjust to the shelter, washing laundry, and taking dogs for a walk.
The agency has also embraced the Humane Society of the United States’ Adopters Welcome, an approach that removes well-meaning but unnecessary barriers between pets and families. For example, residents no longer need to fill out an adoption application before playing with a cat or dog, and can now adopt a pet as a gift for a friend or family member.
Executive Constantine last year signed a five-year agreement with 24 cities to provide animal services. The agreement will automatically be extended after five years, providing stability for animal care in King County for the next decade.
An example of creating the nation’s Best Run Government
The transformation of animal services is one example of the work Executive Constantine’s administration has done to create the nation’s Best-Run Government, a promise to deliver the most value to the people of King County.
The success in animal services follows the same principles that King County has adopted in other transformations:
- Empower employees who know the work best
- Focus on prevention
- Base decisions on science and data
- Address the specific needs of each individual client
- Create strong community partnerships
- Demonstrate an unending commitment to continuous improvement
Read more on the Executive News site.
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King County Hiring Managers: You are the key to the success of Vets 4 HIRE
Each of the past three years, King County has met its goal of hiring 16 veteran fellows as part of the Vets 4 HIRE program. Funding is available to hire 16 more this year, but we need the help of hiring managers.
What began as King County’s Heroes Employment Reintegration Opportunity (HERO) Program five years ago has developed into the Vets 4 HIRE (Heroes in Reintegration Experiences) Program, a paid fellowship/internship for qualified veterans funded in part by the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.
While the success of any program of this type depends on the quality of the candidates, success also relies on those County supervisors who engage with this unique pool of talent. With the approval of funding through 2023, there are opportunities for King County supervisors to bring veteran talent onto their teams – adding value to not only their teams, but to the County and the residents we serve.
“We created the Vets 4 HIRE Program to support veterans in making a successful transition from military to civilian employment, and to provide a pipeline of skilled veteran talent for positions within King County,” said Susan Navetski, King County Vets 4 HIRE Program Manager. “We believe their talent, experiences and perspectives can support us in achieving our best-run-government goal.”
“Veterans bring a different perspective,” said Zlata Kauzlaric, IT Governance Manager for King County’s CIO. “They bring discipline, reliability, organizational skills, and a sense of service. They are happy for the opportunity, they are committed to learn, and they bring an attitude that ‘nothing is impossible.’” Zlata has hired four veteran fellows over the past three years, two moved on to regular positions within the County, one relocated to the East Coast to accept a position elsewhere, and one is currently participating in the fellowship program.
IT Governance Manager Zlata Kauzlaric (right) with two of the veteran fellows she’s hired: Casimier Schwandt (left) and Darron Lewis (center)
So far, 54 veterans have participated in the program, and 37 King County supervisors have enjoyed the benefits.
Supervisors can work with their department HR staff to create opportunities for veterans to contribute to their teams, review and select from existing veteran candidate pools, or post those opportunities on the County’s career site. Veterans hired into these learning experiences are paid at similar rates as student interns.
The program helps support six-month, full- or part-time, paid learning experiences, and enables agencies to extend their veteran’s experience for a total of 2,080 hours. For those veterans who are residents of King County, half of the first six month’s salary – up to $6,250 – is reimbursed by the Levy.
There are currently three job postings for veteran fellowships with the County:
- Department of Transportation – Airport Division is seeking a Construction Management Veteran Fellow and a Lean Program Management Veteran Fellow.
- Metro is seeking a Veteran Fellow or Student Intern at Metro Transit.
Hiring managers are encouraged to consider how the Vets 4 HIRE program can add value to your teams.
For more information about the program, visit the Vets 4 Hire site, reach out to Program Manager Susan Navetski, or contact your agency’s HR representative.
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It’s National Social Security Month!
by Kirk Larson, Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist
National Social Security Month is celebrated in April and is dedicated to
educating you about Social Security programs and services. From programs that help support you through life’s journey, to services that help put you in control, to systems that help protect what’s important to you, Social Security is committed to helping secure today and tomorrow for you and your family.
During National Social Security Month, we encourage people to take control of their future with my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Create a my Social Security account to check your earnings history, confirm you have enough credits to retire, see an estimate of future benefits while still working, or manage your monthly benefits once you begin receiving them. You can also check the status of your claim or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card, and get an instant benefit verification letter.
Our Retirement Estimator is another great tool that provides you with immediate and personalized benefit estimates based on your own earnings record. This allows you to receive the most accurate estimate of your future retirement benefits. Estimate your benefits now at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
After you have viewed your earnings history for accuracy, confirmed you have enough work credits to retire, and determined the best age to retire, you can get started on the next phase of your life right away by retiring online! It’s fast and easy at www.socialsecurity.gov/retireonline.
For more than 80 years, Social Security has changed to meet the needs of our customers. During National Social Security Month, and throughout the year, Social Security puts you in control with secure access to your information anytime, anywhere. From estimating or managing your benefits, requesting a replacement Social Security card, to retiring online, visit SocialSecurity.gov today, and see what you can do online at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.
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King County hosting Administrative Professionals Day event, April 25
Career Support Services and the Administrative Professionals Advisory Committee are pleased to host King County’s 3rd Annual Administrative Professionals Recognition Day event on Wednesday, April 25.
This year, approximately 100 outstanding administrative professionals were nominated for recognition. Join us as we recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions administrative professionals throughout King County government are making.
The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle.
Space is limited! Register at Eventbrite, and email the committee with any questions you may have at AdministrativeProfessionals@KingCounty.gov.
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The county’s risk journey
This article is by Corinne Easter, Administrative Specialist with the King County Office of Risk Management Services
What is risk management? This is a common question posed to The Office of Risk Management Services. Very much like the title implies, the office manages risk. But, what is risk?
Pictured: Office of Risk Management Services Director Jennifer Hills
Director Jennifer Hills describes risk as, “unplanned events that have the potential to prevent an organization from meeting their objectives.” That’s the traditional way of describing it. Hills went on to explain how King County has changed its adverse view of risk to a more progressive view: risk as an opportunity for gains as well as losses.
With Executive Dow Constantine’s encouragement, 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. This can be challenging given how we often view bad occurrences as outweighing equally good ones. When we over-react to negative situations, this prevents us from balancing risks.
Working with the Consortium of Advanced Management International (CAM-I), Hills’ team has developed a risk-value curve to visualize when risk can be optimized. Within this model, if an organization takes on too little risk, it is ineffective and missing beneficial opportunities. If an organization takes on too much risk, it will find itself in a crisis with unwanted exposures. However, there is a middle ground where risk is balanced and optimized—and that’s where Hills’ wants to place the County.
“There is also the risk of status quo to consider,” Hills added, “sometimes we forget to evaluate the risk of standing still.” Hills’ mission is to encourage departments to take informed risks. Within Hills’ own office, she encourages change. Driven by our Equity and Social Justice Initiative, Hills has been working to change the County’s iron-clad insurance policy language to a more flexible language when it will allow the County to engage with community-based organizations. By also allowing her customer service representatives to apply their experience and discretion in their public interactions, her office can provide quicker resolution to claims, more engaged employees, and higher satisfaction with the customer service experience.
In addition to adopting CAM-I’s risk value curve, Hills has implemented an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, run by Sean Catanese, which includes department risk assessments, an inter-departmental ERM work group, and a King County Risk Register of the priority risks, corresponding owners, and mitigation plans. King County has become a leader in the public sector on ERM and risk optimization. The County recently participated in a Harvard ERM Benchmarking study that measured the ERM programs of 25 organizations. Of the 12 criteria used to evaluate the organizations, King County met all but two.
Hills has received positive feedback and excitement about the changing risk culture in King County. Moving forward, Hills and her team plan to work with the Executive’s Office to create risk appetite statements to specify the amount of risk King County is willing to seek in the pursuit of its objectives. With innovative approaches such as this, it’s no wonder that King County is well on the way in its mission to be The Best Run Government.
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Help your favorite nonprofit meet the April 25 Employee Giving Program application deadline
Your favorite nonprofit organizations have until April 25 to apply to be in the King County Employee Giving Program (EGP) for the upcoming year, which will allow you to support them during the Annual Giving Drive and other EGP opportunities.
Now is the time to make sure they get into the Employee Giving Program!
Once they are in, there are so many ways you can help them during the Annual Giving Drive, including:
- Giving through payroll, time, check or credit card.
- Sharing your story.
- Inviting them in to speak.
- Hosting a special event for them.
Not only are there great benefits for you – you can also help your organization out by being a champion and telling others about their great work.
The EGP is accepting nonprofit applications until April 25, 2018, to be in the upcoming 2018 Annual Giving Drive. All nonprofits must apply and meet eligibility requirements, but them knowing about us (and us, them!) is the first step.
Refer a nonprofit today or forward this email.
For more information, visit the website https://www.kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/giving.aspx or contact Junelle Kroontje.
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Creating pipelines to future careers
Crossposted from WTD’s Clean Water Stories
Half of King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s valued employees are expected to retire in five years and one of the biggest questions we face is: How will those spots be filled? How can we reach out to the next generation?
We want high school students to be aware of these career opportunities. We host two high school career events in the spring every year and hire 10 high school interns for a summer, and they do some amazing work for us, even if they choose a different career path in the end.
Wade Phillips engages students in a water quality experiment while he talks about his job as an environmental engineer.
Most people do not realize the variety of jobs, from engineers and financial analysts to electricians that are needed to keep our water clean. This last Saturday, 52 high school students got up early to attend a three-hour Careers in Clean Water event. Students participated in three job-shadowing sessions to explore careers in clean water. Staff lead short, hands-on sessions to demonstrate the details of their job and shared the steps needed to get hired.
Those who attended were genuinely there to learn more and asked great questions, some of those questions even prompted staff members to reflect about the division as a whole. Argane, an 11th-grader, posed the question of diversity to Timothy Clark (Water Land Resources Division staff) and respected his honest answer.
“Timothy didn’t sugar coat the issues of diversity. He was open about the fact that his division was majority white and talked about the outreach efforts being done to recruit in communities of color. He was also real about the conflicts in the workplace, dealing both with race and gender,” Argane said.
After attending her job shadow sessions, Argane was encouraged by Samayyah Williams, a civil engineer, and hopes to one day join Engineers Without Borders to build a facility that treats drinking water.
Grace is a 10th-grade student who grew up in the San Juan Islands and had early exposure to water conservation and water quality. She was particularly intrigued with her first session with two wastewater operators (and Poofighters), Darek Kenaston and Alexis Surprenant.
“We had to do a lot of work with pipes and looking into what and how sediment exists in our drinking water,” Grace said. “I talked with Darek and his career journey. The mechanics of dealing with clean water really stood out because it was a close-to-home connection”.
Grace is still curious as to what the day to day work really looks like, but knows that an operator’s job looks very different every day.
Students have their own go at cutting pipes
The students who attended this event, as well as those who attend the career event coming up on May 5, are encouraged to apply for the Clean Water Ambassadors — High School Internship Program. We are seeking 10 interns interested in learning how government agencies, nonprofit organizations and local communities influence environmental and community health. Interns will gain a deep understanding of the role we all play in this issue, and the careers that contribute to improving water quality and protecting the environment.
In the closing remarks for the event, we were lucky to have Haze Lee, a past intern from 2017, as a guest speaker to talk about her first-hand experience and to answer questions from future intern applicants. Haze highlighted the three best things about her internship experience, which were the people (both WTD staff and co-interns), the places, and the opportunities.
Haze, now a junior at North Creek High School, has been busy this school year organizing the school’s first gardening club. She was able to work with school staff to find an area to build the gardens, receive grant funding, as well as using Gro-Co Compost (made with Loop® biosolids)!
Students can join the next career event at South Plant in Renton on May 5, 2018. Find more information and sign up here.
Applications for the Clean Water Ambassador Summer High School internship are now open.
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Kudos! to Public Health’s Tony Gomez
Pictured: From left to right, a Safe Kids Washington representative presenting Tony, right, with his award.
At the recent State Injury Prevention Summit, Safe Kids of Washington State presented Tony Gomez, Manager of Violence and Injury Prevention, with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Injury Prevention.
Tony has shaped programs and policies in King County, Washington State, and nationally. His work has led to important reductions in child injuries and deaths.
Tony is not just doing the work, he’s preparing the next generation of Public Health professionals by teaching, mentoring and consulting on capstones and thesis with university students.
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Popular transit service to the Issaquah Alps returns with locations in Seattle and more trailhead options
A popular public-private partnership that provides direct transit service to hiking destinations Issaquah Alps will return April 21 with expanded service from Seattle to more trailheads. On May 19, a second transit service to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe near North Bend will start at Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station.
Trailhead Direct – a successful pilot project that provides transit service to trailheads along the Interstate 90 corridor – returns April 21 with expanded service in Seattle to more hiking destinations.
The public-private partnership between King County Metro Transit, King County Parks, the Seattle Department of Transportation, REI Co-op, and Clif Bar and Company will provide weekend and holiday service every 30 minutes starting at the Mount Baker Transit Station in South Seattle to trailheads in the Issaquah Alps. A second route to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe will start May 19 at Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station.
“We are making it easier than ever to explore the Issaquah Alps without having to own or drive a car,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our creative public-private partnership will connect more people and families to the spectacular mountain forests our region is famous for.”
“We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Trailhead Direct makes it easier for all our residents and visitors to access our incredible outdoors using transit. Trailhead Direct builds on our investments in the Seattle transit network, where we’ve improved the frequency and reliability on 64 other routes,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “We are excited about this innovative public-private partnership that is creating new opportunities for all who call Seattle home to get outside and explore our mountains.”
Trailhead Direct was first launched in August 2017 as a pilot project sponsored by King County Metro’s Community Connections program and King County Parks to expand access to hiking trails and reduce trailhead congestion in the Issaquah Alps, where illegally parked vehicles created traffic hazards and safety concerns.
The new service will operate 19- and 27-seat vans with capacity for two bicycles for each trip. Passengers pay Metro’s standard off-peak adult fare of $2.50 until July, when Metro implements a $2.75 flat fare. Passengers can pay with an ORCA card, Transit Go Mobile ticket, or cash.
In early summer, the popular Mailbox Peak trailhead will get Trailhead Direct service from a free satellite parking lot in North Bend.
The other partners that helped develop Trailhead Direct include the cities of Issaquah, North Bend, and Seattle, the Issaquah Alps Trail Club, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Outdoors For All Foundation, Si View Metropolitan Park District, The Mountaineers, The Wilderness Society, TOTAGO, U.S. Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Washington Trails Association.
Trailhead Direct – Issaquah Alps
Service begins: Saturday, April 21
Start and end point: Mount Baker Transit Center: Rainier Avenue South and South Forest Street, Seattle, WA 98144
Stops: Eastgate Freeway Station, Issaquah Transit Center
Trailheads: Margaret’s Way, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, the High School Trail, and East Sunset Way
Trailhead Direct – Mount Si/Mount Teneriffe
Service begins: Saturday, May 19
Start and end point: Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station: 140 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Stops: Broadway and John Street in Seattle, Pine Street and Ninth Avenue in Seattle, Eastgate Freeway Station, North Bend Park & Ride
Trailheads: Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe in North Bend
Read more in the official press release.
Employee News 