Love, Chaos and Dinner returns this fall to King County’s Marymoor Park!
Get your Teatro ZinZanni tickets NOW before they go on sale to the general public on August 15 with this special pre-sale offer for King County Employees. Receive $15 off General Admission tickets on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday performances for performances between October 19 – November 30, 2017. Click on this exclusive pre-sale link now through Aug. 14 and get your tickets today!
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Website planning in a mobile-responsive era
As more people turn to their mobile devices to access King County information, departments are working to ensure their web content is mobile responsive and user friendly.
While desktop users still account for the majority of visits, mobile visits to King County’s website now account for 43% of all traffic.
“The ability of our King County employees and residents to access County information and services at any time with any device is the future and the future is now,” said Bill Kehoe, King County Chief Information Officer.
Two of the most popular webpages are the Department of Assessments’ eReal Property page to get information on properties and Metro Transit’s page to look up itineraries and plan trips. Top search phrases include “King County Jobs” and “King County Jail.”
King County uses this data to develop even more user-friendly websites and provide a seamless experience with an aesthetically pleasing layout and easy-to-find content via mobile devices. It’s one more way that we are working to become the best-run government.
“Our IT strategic goals are focused on engaging our residents with their government in new ways that provide fast and accurate information,” Kehoe said.
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New ESJ iMap tool brings together community and capital projects for employees
Back in 2013, the Water and Land Resources Division wanted to find a more efficient way of determining the characteristics and statistics of the populations they serve or would impact when doing capital projects. The information is critical to supporting King County’s equity and social justice goals and better project or program outcomes.
Developed over the last three years through a partnership with King County GIS Center, the Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) iMap application was developed to allow employees to access and view census and demographic data with a geographic context for their projects, programs and reporting.
A screen shot of the ESJ iMap.
“If employees want to know about capital projects and programs that the Department of Natural Resources and Parks is providing to the public, they can see it here,” said Larry Jones, Senior Water Quality Planner in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP).
Using a database called PRISM that draws information uploaded by program managers on Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), the map also shows many relevant spatial data layers about stormwater, flooding, land use, administrative areas and King County demographics data, including age, sex, income, race and language.
While an exciting accomplishment, Larry explains that initially people were unsure how this tool could benefit their work. Therefore, it was necessary to secure employee input and involvement, along with management buy-in, and provide demonstrations of the tool’s ESJ relevance. So in 2016, Harkeerat Kang, GIS Application Developer, and Larry began showcasing the tool.
“We basically just went out on the road and did the ‘circuit’ to sell it,” he said. “We shared it with other teams and groups within DNRP.”
Larry Jones and Harkeerat Kang worked together on the ESJ iMap tool.
Since then, people have recognized the value of the tool and are investing in it by providing project data and identifying relevant information, thus making the ESJ iMap tool more relevant and an evolving mechanism, meaning it could eventually expand to include more data and projects.
“We met with Public Health — Seattle & King County to consider adding their projects into the iMap,” said Larry. “There’s also a big move to reach out to school districts and include their data, but currently the application isn’t designed for that.”
“We still have a lot of homework to do, more people to accommodate and other relationships to pursue, but right now we want to get program managers and employees who do any manner of community outreach using the system,” he adds.
Getting his start in Metro in 1982 before eventually finding his way into the Water and Land Resources Division, Larry works on water quality projects, and coordinates ESJ activities for the Water and Land Division within DNRP. He enjoys his work and sharing the impact of this project with the people around him, looking forward to how King County can continue expanding on its promise to prioritize equity and social justice.
“We don’t know all the opportunities this tool will allow us to pursue, but we can guess some by putting on our residents’ hats,” he said. Currently project managers are using it to assess if certain communities are being inequitably impacted or what languages should information be translated in to better serve all residents.
Harkeerat agrees. Beginning with King County in 1999 as a DNRP intern, she has been in her current role since 2006 and is passionate about working on issues of equity and social justice.
“I love what I do, King County has been very good to me,” she said. “So I get the importance of working on equity because King County has definitely been equitable to me.”
The ESJ iMap tool makes a clear connection between the community and King County employees who use it, providing both a direct link between project management decisions and how they will impact real people, residents and the environment.
It is still in development, with a final rollout intended for later this year or early 2018. As employees use the tool, it will continue to be revised with new features or data to make it more robust, responsive and relative to King County projects and programs. Training will begin in late 2017 with project managers and outreach employees in DNRP initially. Eventually other employees and everyday King County residents will be able to examine or assess who a project will impact, the result of long range project plans, the proximity and type of nearby projects and how best to work with specific communities to successfully complete a project.
King County employees can access the ESJ iMap tool here. For more information about the ESJ iMap project, contact Larry Jones at Larry.Jones@kingcounty.gov or Harkeerat Kang at Harkeerat.Kang@kingcounty.gov.
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Working together on our priorities
People choose a career at King County because they want to make a difference in their communities and the lives of the people who live and work in them, and their efforts are guided by four key priorities.
“Over the last several years we have been working in four priority areas – best-run government, regional mobility, confronting climate change and building equity and social justice – to make King County a better place to live, work and raise a family,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a recent email to employees. “Our priorities guide us in our daily work. The work that we do each day moves us forward in each of these areas, things like replacing the expiring Veterans and Human Services Levy, building a zero-emission bus fleet and ensuring we are a welcoming community for immigrants and refugees.”
Executive Constantine recently launched a new webpage to highlight some of the key issues that County leadership and employees are focused on. Check out the What We’re Working On webpage, learn more about the Executive’s four priority areas, and see all the initiatives that he is focusing on, including his Investing in You employee strategy.
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Application period is now open for project funding from the ESJ Opportunity Fund
The Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) is now accepting applications for the Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund is a competitive process that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity and social justice and that complements the ESJ Strategic Plan. For the 2017-2018 biennium, there is a total of $100,000 in one-time funds available and grants ranging from $500 to $7,500 will be awarded to projects that the Funding Committee determines best meet the outlined criteria.
For more information, read the overview of the Opportunity Fund. To apply, complete and submit the application for funding. Applications are due by on or before September 1, 2017.
If you have any questions please contact Tynishia Walker at TWalker@kingcounty.gov or at 206-263-0534.
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Lead mechanic Derek Harris is Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Through 23 years with Metro, lead mechanic Derek Harris has always put customer service first, whether he’s rebuilding engines to keep buses moving or searching with a flashlight to find a driver’s lost wedding ring.
Harris was named Thursday as Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year. As he accepted the award, coworkers reiterated his focus on customers, and his patience, leadership and always challenging others to find the best solution.
“What I enjoy most about Metro is working with all different types of people and coordinating with all the different departments, and making sure we’re doing the right thing for taxpayers,” Harris said shortly after a ceremony with family and dozens of coworkers at Metro’s Component Supply Center in Tukwila. The “CSC” is where major components like engines, transmissions, and battery systems are rebuilt, often which helps the county save costs by extending the life of older buses.
Read more at Metro Matters
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Triple digits Thursday? Excessive heat expected this week
Crossposted from KC Emergency News
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for western Washington through 9 p.m. on Friday, August 4.
Unusually hot weather will affect the region for the next few days, with record highs possible on Wednesday and Thursday. Many areas in King County could see temperatures of 100 degrees or more on Thursday. Waterfront and higher-elevation areas will only be slightly cooler, with temperatures there in the mid to upper 90s.
Temperatures this high can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old, and people with certain medical conditions. Check up on relatives and neighbors during the heat wave. Heart problems, stroke, and kidney failure are the most common health problems on hot days.
For information about how to keep our workplaces cool during the hot weather, click here.
Read more at KC Emergency News
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King County Bureaufasts conquer 200-mile Ragnar Relay
The King County Bureaufasts, a 12-person King County employee running squad, completed the Reebok Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay July 14-15, spanning 200 miles of relay running from Blaine to Langley, WA.
Pictured: Front row Brandon Croniser, Andrew Fraser, Al Dams, Ellie Letterman, Tricia Davis, Annie Kolb-Nelson, Doug Hodson; back row Seth Watson, Tom Koney, Adam Vance, Collin Pedersen, Ken Gu.
With some new faces on the team this year, the King County team shared two days of bonding, cheering, fatigue, and most importantly, a weekend in the Ragnar Bubble. The team trekked through some of the most breathtaking scenic views that the Pacific Northwest has to offer including Mount Baker and Olympic Mountain to Deception Pass and Puget Sound. Each member ran three legs of the relay – an average of 16.5 miles per runner.
King County Chief Deputy Assessor Al Dams participated for the fourth straight year, captaining and coordinating the Bureaufasts for the last two years – a role he plans to continue.
As part of their second annual relay, KC Bureaufasts team finished 58th out of 514 teams with a time of 27:57:07. Additionally, the team ranked fourth out of 38 teams for Corporate/Public Service division (third in the men’s division) and savored their victory once again over the We Run Better Than The Government team.
Pictured: Left to right Collin Pedersen, Andrew Fraser, Ken Guy, Brandon Croniser, Tom Koney, Al Dams.
Dams, who ran 17.8 miles over three legs, said, “One of our goals is to make sure we always beat the We Run Better Than The Government team; last year, as we passed them by, we said ‘you’re not running better than this Government.’”
In addition to the accomplishments on the road, the team is having success increasing female participation, up to three female runners from one in 2016. The team has also retained five of its first-year team members.
Reebok Ragnar’s Extra Mile Charity Program supports Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, It Ain’t Chemo and ALS Association. Participating teams also have the ability to fundraise for a cause of their choice.
“The plan for this year was to establish that this will be a tradition for the King County running community, and not just a one year deal last year. The goal for next year is to start the tradition of raising money for charity – a charity from the Employee Giving Campaign list,” Dams said.
Dams encourages runners of all levels to challenge themselves and their paradigms of long distance running in a team-supportive environment. “Once you get the Ragnar bug, it’s hard to let go of it,” Dams added.
Ellie Letterman
County Records Analyst Ellie Letterman ran a whopping 20 miles over three legs. Ellie encourages anyone who loves to run to participate in next year’s Ragnar.
“Don’t worry about your running skill level, if you can run, then this event will be fun for you (and if you are ok on 3 hours sleep [Symbol]). There is a place for male and female runners of different levels, skill, and speed,” Ellie said. “The focus is not on how fast and far you can go – it’s really more about if the van can manage to hit up Starbucks and navigate to the next stop in time before the runner finishes their leg.”
Ellie says that unlike other running events, camaraderie is at the core of Ragnar. “This event allows you time in between runs to get to know others, and cheer each other on during the route,” Ellie said. “No one is left behind, and there is no competition between team mates, but we certainly had fun competing with other teams and counting “kills” (when you pass another runner on the course). “
In like manner, Human Resources Manager Seth Watson has participated in Ragnar both years with the King County Bureaufasts team and has thoroughly enjoyed both times. This year, Seth ran 11.7 miles over the three-leg event.
Aside from the overnight experience of the event and sleeping at high school football fields, Seth’s favorite part of the event is, “The culture of the race and race day. It’s a community-intensive running experience.”
Seth’s advice for newbies: “Speak to someone that has done it before. Know that it’s going to be hot; wear technical running clothes and appropriate running shoes.”
Reebok Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay 2017 participants included: Adam Vance, Al Dams, Andrew Fraser, Annie Kolb-Nelson, Brandon Croniser, Collin Pedersen, Doug Hodson, Ellie Letterman, Ken Guy, Seth Watson, Tom Koney and Tricia Davis.
For information about the King County Bureaufasts team or to get involved, contact Al Dams at Al.Dams@KingCounty.gov. To learn more about Reebok Ragnar, visit their website.
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Paid Parental Leave: New-parent approved
Newborn, adopted and foster-to-adopt children now get to bond with their King County-employed parent for up to 12 weeks thanks to the Paid Parental Leave Program.
King County Executive Dow Constantine initially proposed a paid parental leave pilot as a way to support early childhood development by giving parents time to nurture and connect with their little ones. The Paid Parental Leave Program was made an on-going benefit in 2017.
“I’m proud that King County is among the leading employers in the nation to offer a program that has a positive, lifelong impact on a child’s development,” Executive Constantine said. “It also demonstrates our commitment to recruiting and retaining the talented workforce we need to deliver the best outcomes for our community.”
Michelle Allison, Metro Transit’s Chief of Staff, benefited from the 12-week-leave program. It allowed her to bond with her adopted daughter, who at the time was 18 months. “It was an incredibly easy, fulfilling, and valued experience. I can’t say enough about the ease of mind. Becoming a first-time parent is overwhelming, you have lots of things you are thinking about, but leave at work shouldn’t be one of them, and this took that concern off the table. It allowed me to focus on my family, my daughter and myself.”
Paid Parental Leave is another way that King County is investing in its employees and delivering better outcomes for customers through a highly engaged workforce.
“The cumulative impacts are known both through data and personal experiences that when families have access to paid parental or family leave in general as a broader topic, it allows the employee to have a better experience outside of their work so when they come to work, they’re more focused and refreshed,” Michelle said.
Also new to the parenting scene is Labor Relations Negotiator Andre Chevalier, dad to baby Jack.
“I am incredibly appreciative and thankful to my work colleagues that are picking up the slack while I’m out on leave and to my management team that has been 100% supportive of my daddy leave. Thankfully, my singular focus was on being there for my family and appreciating the depth and meaningfulness of the experience.”
Paid Parental Leave is a great benefit for new and tenured employee-parents because it alleviates some of the burden that comes with being a first-time parent or adding a new family member.
These days, Andre finds himself with his hands full. “I am able to tap in and change those non-stop poopy diapers and let my wife catch up on sleep,” he said.
From January 1 through December 31, 2016, 153 male employees and 88 female employees took time off for a birth, adoption or foster-to-adopt placement as part of the pilot. The 12-week leave program was made an on-going benefit January 1, 2017.
“I am proud to work for an organization that is willing to be a progressive leader on this important issue,” Andre said.
King County wishes all parents on leave a joyous time with their loved ones!
Click here to view FAQ sheet.
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Hot weather on the way – help us keep cool!
We’re expecting unusually hot weather this week with record high temperatures likely Wednesday and Thursday, and the possibility of 100-degree weather in and around King County.
The Facilities Management Division (FMD) is committed to your safety and comfort at work, and to running King County buildings as efficiently as possible. To help us all keep cooler as the weather heats up, here are a few tips:
- Lower the blinds in your work area to reduce sunlight streaming in
- Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is on
- Dress for the weather conditions
- Turn off unnecessary lights, and unplug unused electrical equipment if possible.
For a reminder, feel free to print out and post the FMD Summer Heat Reminder Flyer in your workspace.
Thanks, and keep cool!
Employee News 