Kudos to employees who worked over the Thanksgiving holiday!
We value and appreciate the many employees who gave up their holiday and time with family and friends to serve our King County community. Whether you are a jail guard, sheriff, medic or other employee, we THANK YOU for your commitment.
Your promise to serve King County on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and all other 362 days and nights of the year highlights your dedication to public service and commitment to creating a warm and welcoming home for all.
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Thank you for making this recognition possible
Dear fellow King County employee,
Each day, you help set an example of what a creative, forward-thinking government can accomplish.
You do it not for the public recognition, but for the satisfaction of knowing we’re making our community a better place to live. Still, it’s nice when our work is recognized, particularly on a national stage.
Tonight at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., I will receive a Public Official of the Year award from Governing magazine. I will be joined by the Governor of Massachusetts, the Mayor of Denver, and a few other officials from across the country who are delivering innovative solutions to the greatest challenges of our time.
It is an award I proudly share with all King County employees. After all, none of the accomplishments that this award recognizes would be possible without our talented, dedicated staff members who turn our shared commitment into results.
At a time of uncertainty at the national level, we continue to make progress toward being a more just, inclusive region where all have the chance to achieve their full potential. We are embracing the future, upholding the American promise of hope, freedom and opportunity for all.
I invite you to watch this brief video that reflects on what we have achieved together, and how we will continue to lead the way forward.
Thank you helping make this recognition possible.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Bridge graduates embody King County’s spirit of service
Primary Bridge facilitator Debra Baker, graduate Anttimo Bennett, KSCS, and King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The 13 employees who recently completed the 16-week Bridge Fellowship program developed new skills, expanded their leadership abilities, and came away better positioned to grow their careers in service of the people of King County.
The November 16 graduation ceremony was attended by almost 100 leaders, colleagues, former graduates and friends from around the County to congratulate the employees who competed the intensive professional development program.
“We have 13 employees from across the County who signed up for this Bridge Fellowship, and they were selected to participate in the program as part of our commitment to developing the whole employee, to allow employees to explore their capacity for leadership,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said.
Executive Constantine joined King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, several department and division directors, and staff from multiple departments and agencies at the graduation which celebrated the achievements of the 13 graduates.
For the graduates, the Bridge Fellowship provided an opportunity to learn, develop and expand their understanding of the operations and opportunities at King County.
“As I invested myself in this Bridge process, I realized that the County needs each and every one of its employees,” Anttimo Bennett, Juvenile Probation Counsellor with Superior Court, said. “For the County to be the best-run government, it has to invest in its employees. And the Bridge Fellowship is that investment.”
Over the course of the program, participants engaged in classroom learning, group projects, presentations and career development activities, as well as interviews and site visits to explore the County’s agencies and their priorities.
The graduation drew leaders, colleagues, former graduates and friends from around the County.
Additionally, participants explored topics and themes such as growth mindset, leadership, teambuilding, coaching, trust building, identifying mentors, equity and social justice, interviewing techniques, resume building and public speaking.
Executive Constantine sees the Bridge Fellowship as the type of program that King County needs to support employees’ career development and advancement goals.
“I want King County to be a workplace where you can pursue your passion for public service because most of our employees came to work for the government not just because it was a job with a paycheck and insurance but because they have a spirit of service, and our job is to make it possible for you to exercise that spirit of service for the benefit of the people of King County.”
The Bridge program is a shining example of the type of learning opportunity that King County has to provide, must provide, for our employees if we are to be the kind of organization that we say we are, one that is continuously improving and is a vehicle for the success of all our people.”
Congratulations to this year’s Bridge Fellowship graduates: Sean Douglas (KCIT), Linda Morales (DPH), Kerwin Pyle (DNRP), Mike Rheubottom (DOT), Ann Moses (KCIT), Anttimo Bennett (KCSC), Kate Stein (DPH), Kelsey Hatch (KCAO), Rose Hickman (DCHS), Valerie Ceban (DES), Lynn Mckiernan Ngari (DES), Kamilah Brown (KCC) and Lilia Cabello Drain (DES).
Information on how you can apply for future cohorts of the Bridge Fellowship program will be released in 2017. To learn more about the program visit the Bridge Fellowship webpage.
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Committee adds equity in the workplace and offers career advancement opportunities
The reunion brought together current and former members from all across King County.
The Employee-Based Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Committee recently held a reunion to celebrate their work and connect with current and former members. On Wednesday, October 19, 2016 the group met in the Chinook Building and held an informal networking event and potluck where departments from all across the County were represented.
Current members were introduced, with committee Chair Ceci (Cynthia) Chiu (Department of Public Defense) kicking off the event. She was joined by Vice-Chair Velma Valdez (Department of Transportation), Secretary Lorrie Alfonsi (Department of Transportation), At-Large officer Breen Lorenz (Department of Executive Services) and John Miller, the outgoing chair.
Before introducing the guest speaker, Ceci asked for those who were alumni of the committee and all former officers to raise their hands, with about half speaking up to mention their name and role. She explained how important it is to have members from all different departments who can bring their perspective to the committee and then introduced guest speaker Danotra McBride, Chief of Operations for Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) and former committee member.
Speaking about the committee and its importance in her career, Danotra said “My time on the committee was wonderful. It’s easy to get stuck in silos, but this was an opportunity to meet other people and network.”
“It propelled the confidence in me to do other things,” she said. “It boosted everything – my confidence, my abilities, all of it.”
Guest speaker Danotra McBride, Chief of Operations for Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) and former committee member.
Previously, Danotra worked for Public Health, Jail Health Services where she began her career in the Medical Records division. She credits her time on the committee as helping her realize her calling and helping her find a place where she can succeed in her work.
“I am grateful I could serve as the vice chair,” she said. “The committee helped me realize I care about people and working with people.”
Danotra explained her movement forward within DAJD and fielded questions from the audience about her current work, as well as the challenges employees can face in accessing training and career development.
“We have been asking ourselves at DAJD ‘How do we make more robust online training or bring training to our staff?’ because people really do want these learning opportunities,” she said.
Afterwards, current EEO/AA Committee manager Paula Harris-White spoke briefly about how the committee is a place where members can grow in their knowledge and skills, but also take these abilities on with them to their next workplace challenge.
“We’ve had people move from the committee into leadership and management positions, like Danotra, who bring their EEO/AA ‘hat’ with them to continue that work,” said Paula. “The committee and the time people spend working on these initiatives is a stepping stone and mentoring opportunity.”
To wrap up the reunion, Lorrie Alfonsi led the group in EEO/AA Jeopardy, asking questions about the committee and the King County Equity and Social Justice initiative, while the group mingled and finished off the potluck food.
Additional EEO/AA committee members who attended the reunion celebration included Gaukhar Serikbayeva, from the Department of Public Health, Nathan Kinker, from the Department of Executive Services and Dean Olson, Elena Edwards, Gail Tanaka and Jose Reyna, all from the Department of Transportation.
For more information about the committee or its policies review the King County 2014 – 2016 EEO/AA Plan or contact Paula Harris-White, Workforce Equity Manager, at Paula.Harris-White@kingcounty.gov.
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Cat café going strong, partnership proving a ‘paw-sitive’ experience for all
The cafe gives the public a place to meet and adopt healthy, happy cats.
With fall officially here, the Meowtropolitan Cat Café is a popular place to relax and enjoy the rain. Located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle, the café is a partnership between Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), located in Kent, and two private owners. Officially opened in December 2015, the café has been an instant success. Some weekends are even booked full with reservations, which are needed to visit and enter the ‘Cat Lounge.’
Cats are fostered from the RASKC Pet Adoption Center, and hang out in a separate area, behind a glass wall. Visitors can relax in the café area, or make a 50 minute reservation for $10, which includes a beverage, and spend time with the cats in the lounge area.
Definitely an interesting venture, the space holds about 20 cats, all selected for their healthy, social personalities. Since January, over 50 cats have been adopted by community members, highlighting how the project has been successful for the business owners, as well as RASKC. Six cats have even become permanent café residents, providing consistent play time for visitors. Overall, the partnership has been a great idea.
“Having this big, colony room gives cats the free space to roam,” said Nickie Ford, Animal Services Coordinator with RASKC. “It reduces each cat’s stress level, which means less medical care.”
“We’re spending less money and keeping animals healthy and happy so they get adopted.”
The project has become a win-win, an illustration of best-run government at work. It serves as a creative example of King County’s innovation and community partnerships, while also bringing adoptable animals right to potential owners. Even the cafe staff enjoy the opportunity to work in such a non-traditional environment.
“I actually work to support six of our offsite facilities, which includes the café and the Kirkland Petco facility,” said Nickie. “So I support volunteer leads and help with animal care and administrative items while they do the day-to-day stuff.”
It’a a “Find-a-Cat” photo. How many can you spot?
“It’s a positive image for King County. It can change an animal’s life and make an impact on customers and staff.”
Ensuring every cat is ‘healthy and happy’ is part of an ongoing process. Nickie and other RASKC staff work to understand each animal’s needs and prepare them for loving, forever homes.
“For us, a lot of the work is continuous improvement, and how can we make the animals’ lives better,” said Nickie. “We get to the root of the problem, in health or behavior, and address them.”
“This makes such a positive difference on the cats’ outward behavior.”
Taking the time to get to know each animal has indeed paid off. The cats are friendly and comfortable around people. So much so, that the café has actually started holding ‘Yoga with Cats’ sessions every Tuesday. Customers can pay $20 for an hour-long yoga session and a cup of tea, surrounded by curious cats.
At the main RASKC facility, staff are just as dedicated to the well-being of each animal, even going so fat as to create a cat patio area, or ‘catio,’ which was recently featured on Univision’s 9 part RASKC series.
Nickie sums up how taking the time to connect with every animal is what has made adoption rates rise and inventive partnerships, like the Meowtropolitan Cat Café, possible.
“This environment makes them more adoptable because you get to see their personality, but the best part of this place is it just makes it feel like home for the cats.”
The Meowtropolitan Cat Café is located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. The cat lounge is open for reservations Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit their website for more information.
To find out more about the amazing ways RASKC is changing animal care and adoption here in King County, visit their blog, Tails from RASKC.
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Tech Tip: Have a minor edit for the King County website?
Have you ever noticed outdated or incorrect information on the King County website? Are you unsure about who can fix or make changes to it? Here’s how you can request an edit be made to current content on a website page.
Submit a request to our Web Team Support through this online form. Please note you must be logged in to SharePoint to do so.
When sending an edit, be as specific as possible and always include the following information:
- The link to the page that needs the change
- The revised, correct language for your edit
- Any other necessary links or website redirects
Thank you for your help in keeping our website up to date!
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Kudos! Thanks for participating in the Annual Giving Drive
This is one of the many “thank you” notes our employees received during the Annual Giving Drive!
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Featured Job: User Centered Design and Civic Engagement Manager
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 12/05/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $52.69 – $66.79 Hourly, $109,595.20 – $138,923.20 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington
Department: King County Department of Information Technology
Description: Currently, we are seeking a User Centered Design and Civic Engagement Manager to lead our eGovernment team. This position will be accountable for making decisions to improve the overall customer and employee experience with our technology solutions and platforms while implementing strategies, tools and models that align with the business needs of King County and the department’s strategic direction. This position will also build the User Driven Design (UDD) team and ensure that this service is used across KCIT as we develop and implement new / updated applications and websites.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Up-close and personal with Airport director Randy Berg
Crossposted from The Centerline
Thanks to the Puget Sound Business Journal, aviation writer Andrew McIntosh, and photographer Anthony Bolante for their up-close and personal look (sign-in required to read the full interview) at our new Airport Director, Randy Berg in the November 18 issue.
Andrew and Anthony sat down with Randy last month, and drew out Randy’s story of coming full circle from his first career job 40 years ago at the Auburn Municipal Airport, and his very first job in high school as a “gas boy” at the Van Nuys Airport in Southern California.
“I met famous entertainers and politicians who owned airplanes in the L.A. basin. You’d get a chance to talk with them. My uncle was also a pilot, mechanic and retired Federal Aviation Administration executive. When I look back at my career, it was the most fun I had. To this day, I look out my window and watch people on the ramp, especially in pouring rain, and my heart still goes out to them.”
Read more at The Centerline
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Social Media Spotlight: King County Elections Twitter
King County is the largest county in the US to vote entirely by mail; Director: Julie Wise. Hotline: 206-296-8683.
Follow King Co Elections on Twitter today!
Click here to view all King County social media pages.
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