Tech Tip: Multimedia version: Editing photos for free with Pixlr Editor
Not everyone has access to Photoshop, so to edit a photo in a pinch, many people use a free online photo editor app called Pixlr Editor.
Pixlr is an online photo editing tool. It is fast, simple and has enough features to make this a great find for low- to moderate-level photo editing. Users can create a new image, upload an image, or grab one directly from a URL location.
Pixlr is actually a web company that has various tools for working with pictures. The one used most commonly is Pixlr Editor, with the second most used tool also being a free photo editing app called Pixlr Express.
To learn more about Pixlr read this review. For helpful tips and tricks view this PDF.
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Chinook Emergency Preparedness Fair, November 30
Employees are invited to learn about local hazards and what employees and residents can do to prepare. There will be information on purchasing kits, signing up for alerts, local hazards, and more, as well as door prizes and the chance to win emergency supplies!
The event will be held Thursday, November 30 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Chinook Building room 121/123.
For more information contact Michelle.Chatterton@kingcounty.gov or Angie.Hinh@kingcounty.gov.
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Winter Weather Seminar receives warm reception
Pictured: King County Office of Emergency Management Director Walt Hubbard welcomes participants and introduces professionals from National Weather Service, Puget Sound Energy, Public Health, and King County departments.
More than 100 regional stakeholders gathered together October 12 for our 6th Annual Winter Weather Seminar. Facing another La Nina forecast, NWS Seattle’s Ted Buehner said we can expect cooler and wetter than average conditions this winter season. Already we’ve seen snowfall at low elevations and stage 2 flooding in some areas. Professional experts assured participants we are ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.
The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on past events and lessons learned. Of note was praise from King County Road Services for a collective response to a road washout that isolated a community in the Duvall area, and required quick coordination with King County Emergency Management, Roads, and the Sheriff’s Office.
Our annual Winter Weather Seminars are important for bringing together frontline agencies to share information and resources as we plan for the impacts of winter weather. Together, we enhance each other’s ability to respond to and recover from our most hazardous season.
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Featured Job: Health Information Privacy Manager/Analyst PPMIII
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 11/20/17 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $80,405.31 – $101,918.13 Annually
Job Type: TLT or Special Duty Assignment
Location: Chinook Building, Downtown Seattle, Washington
Department: Department of Public Health–Administrative Services
Description: Health Information Privacy Manager/Analyst position resides within the Compliance and HIT/Epic Support Section of Public Health Seattle & King County. The purpose of this position is to manage the Health Information Privacy (hereinafter ‘Privacy’) Program for Public Health – Seattle and & King County. This position will manage the daily operations of the Privacy Program; provide leadership to Public Health on privacy; serve as a subject matter expert; represent the Department of Public Health to other departments and agencies; and manage the complex operations of compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule and other relevant federal and state health care privacy regulations. The classification for this position is Project/Program Manager III. Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty (SD) is anticipated to last 12 months. It is eligible to participate in Kung County’s generous benefits package.
Contact: For questions about the position, please contact Mary Jane Alexander at MaryJane.Alexander@kingcounty.gov.
Learn more about this position, or view all available jobs.
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KC eLearning improvements launched
If you haven’t checked out KC eLearning lately, it’s a great time to log on. With thousands of courses, books, and videos, there’s bound to be something to spark your learning, build your knowledge, and increase your skills.
As part of our commitment to you, we’ve been listening and improving the portal to make it easier and more helpful. With home page curated collections and single sign on for employees with @KingCounty.gov email, you’ll get easy access to resources you want–including hundreds of smart, new pieces of content. Want to learn more? Read the rollout news.
Whether you’re a new user, an avid fan, or even if you’ve been scared off in the past, log on today. Take a new look, and join the thousands of employees saying, Hello, Opportunity!
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Congratulations Bridge Fellowship graduates
On November 2, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams joined more than 100 employees and leaders to celebrate the 22 graduates of the 2017 Bridge Fellowship Program.
Watch this short video that celebrates this year’s graduates. Find out more about the Bridge Fellowship here.
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Bringing a public health approach to juvenile detention
Dear fellow King County employee,
Today I will sign an Executive Order that will change the way we approach juvenile detention by creating a system that addresses the traumatization of youth in detention, utilizes therapeutic approaches and restorative justice alternatives, and ensures that young people and their families have ready access to supports and services in the community.
I have directed the creation of a multi-departmental team under the oversight and direction of Public Health – Seattle & King County to draft a proposal for implementing this approach and the reorganization of juvenile detention services.
We have made great progress in transforming our approach to juvenile justice. Our Juvenile Detention Officers have embraced restorative justice, and they understand the challenges of adolescence.
By taking a public health approach to juvenile justice we can build on the work that Juvenile Detention has done to provide an environment that limits further traumatization, promotes resilience, and ensures youth and their families have access to needed supports and services to help them transition out of detention and onto a path to lifelong success.
The interdepartmental team will comprise representatives from several department, including Adult and Juvenile Detention, Public Health and Community and Human Services, as well as criminal justice agencies, community partners and experts, who will present a plan for this transition to me by February 15, 2018.
This is important work and will help us continue to build a holistic, trauma informed juvenile justice system that effectively serves and supports children, youth and families, and the safety of our community.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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KCEGP deadline approaching, November 17
As King County employees, when we act together, we change the world for the better. November 17 is the deadline to pledge through the King County Employee Giving Program. Join us by pledging today and learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/giving.
Don’t forget: There won’t be another opportunity to make a donation of vacation time to a nonprofit!
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Lend a paw: Animals searching for their forever home
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
For many of us, our pets are more than just pets – they are a part of the family. Cats and dogs are there in our moments of joy and of sadness, in our moments of smiles and tears. In this year’s Annual Giving Drive, you too can make a difference in an animal’s life by donating to one or various organizations. Don’t wait, lend a paw to a cat or dog in search of their forever home.
With over 80 nonprofit organizations doing work with animals, below are a just a few to get you started.
MEOW Cat Rescue (9193) 10600 NE 68th St Kirkland, WA 98033 – With respect and compassion for all animal life, MEOW promotes relationships between people and companion animals, providing shelter and care until each pet is adopted into a forever home.
Read more at KC Employee Giving
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Keeping King County safe during flood season
Only a month ago, the nation witnessed hurricane-induced flooding in many parts of the country. Our region doesn’t experience hurricanes, but we do experience flood conditions nearly every year due to another weather phenomenon that recently garnered headlines – atmospheric rivers.
When the rains fall and the rivers rise, King County’s flood response teams kick into gear. One of the first steps is the opening of the King County Flood Warning Center (FWC), which gathers, analyzes and distributes flood-related information to help people – including County employees – protect themselves, their families and their property.
The FWC is activated when any of the major rivers in the county reach specified flood levels, based on a four-phase warning system. Once the center is activated, response staff begin monitoring the flow and depth of the major rivers on a 24-hour basis. Staff members, working 12-hour shifts in the King Street Center-based FWC, answer calls from the public and emergency response agencies, coordinate patrols in the field and monitor river gages, weather data, dam operations and road closures. They disseminate information to the public through a variety of channels, including Facebook, text messages, emails and phone calls.
Pictured: From left to right Chris Ewing and Tasha Wang.
Phase 1 is an internal alert to King County staff. Phase 2 indicates minor flooding in some areas, triggering the opening of the FWC. Phase 3 indicates moderate flooding, and trained flood patrols are dispatched to monitor levees and other flood control facilities. Finally, Phase 4 indicates a major flood, with potential for emergency repairs, rescue operations and evacuations.
“These flood patrols are out inspecting levees around the clock, often in wet and stormy conditions, to ensure that the people who live and work behind them remain safe,” said John Koon, flood patrol coordinator in the Water and Land Resources Division.
If you live in a flood-prone neighborhood, it’s important to know what to do before, during and after a flood to reduce the risk of property damage or personal injury.
The calm before the storm is a great time for residents to know their flood hazard by accessing King County iMap, where you can view floodplain boundaries. Flood insurance? If you live in a floodplain, now is a good time to purchase insurance or review your policy and to stock up on an emergency kit.
In the midst of flooding, do not walk, wade or drive through flooded areas. Driving through floodwaters is the leading cause of flood-related deaths. Use resources such as the FWC or the County’s Flood Warning App to stay informed of water levels. Public safety is top priority.
After weathering the storm, be cautious of structural damage to your home or property. Professional services are available to examine gas leaks, electrical shorts and live wires. Document the high-water mark for future flood prevention.
For King County employees and residents who rely on mass transit to get to work, the King County Flood Warning App is a fantastic resource that provides real-time flooding information for the South Fork Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Tolt, Raging, Cedar, Green and White rivers and Issaquah Creek. The app is available for Andriod, iOS and Windows phones. Along with access to river flows and flood stages, users can see forecasts and real-time flood phases.
Efforts to protect people and property have earned King County a high rating from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System (CRS). King County’s high CRS rating is saving policyholders in unincorporated King County more than $1 million in flood insurance premiums – an average of $425 per policy.
“King County encourages people to reach out to the Flood Warning Center during flood events so that we can give them important information while there’s still time for them to make decisions,” said Ken Zweig, Flood Warning Center program manager.
To learn more about flood prevention, read How to prepare for flooding in King County. Flood Warning Center Information Line: 206-296-8200 or 800-945-9263.
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