Tech Tip: Beware phishing email scams
With another recent cyber virus, it’s important to remember to beware of phishing attempts here on the King County network.
KCIT would like to remind you that phishing is the practice of sending emails that look like they are from reputable sources in an attempt to obtain information which gives outsiders access to King County systems. The goal is to get personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Phishing is a constant threat to every organization.
Remember, if you receive an email asking you to provide any information, especially your login name and password, this could be phishing and you should be suspicious.
In addition, be cautious of emails with attachments from someone that you do not know or one that you did not expect. These can contain malicious software and compromise your computer.
If you have concerns or questions, please contact the KCIT Service Center at 206-263-HELP (4357) or log a ticket at helpticket@kingcounty.gov
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Deferred Compensation Plan education sessions offered July 11–13
Many retirement experts say that Social Security and a basic pension will not be enough for many retirees to live the life they are expecting. To expand your retirement savings, you may want to consider the King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan, a voluntary 457 account offered exclusively to King County employees. The plan allows you to defer a portion of your paycheck to a variety of investment options before taxes are deducted, reducing your taxable pay now and helping you save for the future.
You also have the option to defer a portion of your paycheck to a Roth 457(b) account on an after-tax basis. Taxes are withheld from your Roth contributions before they’re invested in your account. In exchange, you may be able to withdraw your contributions and any earnings tax-free when you retire.
You and/or your spouse or significant other are invited to attend one of our upcoming in-person education sessions on July 11–13. Go to the Online Event Center for details and registration.
If you have any questions, please contact KC Deferred Comp.
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Applications open for Lead Ambassador teams
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
We are now accepting applications for Rock Stars (or aspiring Rock Stars) to join our Lead Ambassador teams across the county. This is a great role if you are interested in building or breathing fresh air into your leadership employee experience. You will be building skills in developing and motivating others, project management, and working with leaders across all levels of the organization. AND you get to make a difference. Sounds like a great day!
Check our top 5 reasons to get involved here.
As a lead Ambassador you will:
- Work with the department or separately elected office to develop strategies, goals, and communications.
- Recruit, train, and mentor the department Ambassador team.
- Recognize and celebrate your team’s hard work and success!
It is distinguished from the Ambassador team in that you are working at the department level, empowering, and supporting the Ambassador teams to give every King County Employee a quality opportunity to use the program. Download our flyer here.
Check out what you can do for your team!
Read more at KC Employee Giving
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PTE17 includes Administrative Professionals event in magazine
Local 17 featured the April Administrative Professionals Recognition event in a recent issue of its Insight publication, highlighting notable participants, speakers and the importance of honoring administrative employees for their work. It shares:
“Based on feedback received from attendees and award recipients, the engaging event helps Administrative Professionals feel honored, valued and appreciated. It also reaffirms that King County is a wonderful place to work.”
The Administrative Professionals Program and Career Support Services were also both featured in the June 21 Metropolitan King County Council: Annual Labor Summit.
To read the full PTE17 article, click here, page 8. To learn more about the Administrative Professionals Program visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
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Big Backyard 5k raises money for local parks
Nearly 1,000 walkers and runners took part in King County Parks’ eight annual Big Backyard 5K presented by Kaiser Permanente on Sunday, June 11, 2017, and participants did more than just get a Sunday morning workout.
The proceeds of the event, which took place at Marymoor Park in Redmond, go toward the maintenance and operations of King County Parks.
“The Big Backyard 5k is a great event that our employees, supporters and volunteers put on for runners and walkers across our community,” said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. “Not only does it showcase one of the crown jewels in our parks system but it raises money for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of King County Parks.”
Sophia Liu set a new record for women in the event with a time of 17:50, finishing in fifth place overall. Andrew Olsen took first place with a time of 16:53. Thank you to all who supported this year’s event.
View the event photos here.
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ACEs work featured in regional publication
Pictured: Barbara Huffman, RN, treating a client inside King County’s Mobile Medical Van.
The Community Health Services Division “ACEs Collaborative” group is featured in the current issue of “Northwest Public Health,” published by the University of Washington’s Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, and refers to an influential study on the impacts of childhood trauma on lifelong health. From the ACEs study, a body of learning has emerged nationally that challenges agencies and organizations to understand the impacts of trauma and help build resiliency.
The article, entitled “Hope and Healing: Training a Workforce to Better Support Health,” describes the staff-led work of the Collaborative over the past several years. They defined core principles, goals, and a shared framework; assessed training needs in the division; and began building staff awareness, knowledge and skill around trauma informed and resilience-promoting practices. The ACEs Collaborative group continues to meet regularly. Public Health is building on this work at the departmental level with support from a new Kresge Foundation grant, as well as through the Best Starts for Kids initiative in partnership with DCHS.
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Treatment plants go ‘Platinum’ in 2016
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
Another year, another stellar performance that earned national recognition for our treatment plant operations.
Four of our plants were honored with Platinum Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies headquartered in Washington D.C. To earn the awards, the treatment plants must meet 100 percent compliance with the effluent discharge limits set by permits under the federal Clean Water Act and the state’s Water Pollution Control Law.
Our Carnation Treatment Plant earned its first Platinum award for five consecutive years of perfect compliance with its discharge requirements.
Read more at Clean Water Stories
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From police dispatcher to King County Prosecutor’s Office
Crossposted from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Facebook
Most people’s worst days were Michelle Lorraine’s every day for nearly 14 years as a police dispatcher for the Greater Seattle area. When people reached a crisis moment and dialed 911 for an emergency, it was Michelle who answered the phone calls and determined the appropriate course of action.
“You can go from an active police incident with a shooting, to your next call being someone who is calling in with a parking complaint or because the neighbor’s dog pooped in their yard. Whatever the call is, it’s a vital emergency to the person calling, and you have to maintain your professionalism at all times,” Michelle says.
She’s handled suicide and domestic violence calls which spike over the holidays, and she says calls where children are victims can be emotional to handle, but Michelle has never lost her composure on the job.
Read more at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Facebook.
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King County celebrates a facility – and a community
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
When King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) dedicates a new wastewater facility, we invite people near and far to join us. Celebrations provide an ideal opportunity to thank project communities for their role in the project and their patience during the process. People get to see firsthand how public input shaped a neighborhood’s new clean water asset.
King County welcomed about 200 people to dedicate the Murray Wet Weather Facility in West Seattle on a sunny Saturday in June. Visitors arrived on foot, bikes, or by car. The youngest rolled up in strollers. Some visitors were on leash, wearing collars.
Read more at Clean Water Stories
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