Revive I-5: Find Your Way webinar series
Starting in March, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin a three-year project to rehabilitate and preserve I-5 through Seattle. The project will require sections of I-5 to be reduced to two lanes for up to nine months each year, starting with Northbound construction along the aging Ship Canal Bridge. This preservation project is critical for keeping people and goods moving safely for decades to come. Commute Seattle, a transportation news blog, is here to help businesses and destinations find their way through this construction period with the Revive I-5 webinar series.
Tune into this webinar series to hear directly from WSDOT project leads about when and where to expect construction, and learn about existing programs, services, and resources from Commute Seattle and partners. Each webinar will be recorded.
Sign-up for each webinar to view the live webinar and have access to the recording:
- Thursday Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.: Revive I-5 Overview + Vanpool Made Easy
- Thursday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m.: Revive I-5 Overview + ORCA Benefits
- Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m.: Revive I-5 Overview + Tailored Commute Solutions
And remember, the King County Employee Transportation Program is available to support your commute needs and benefits questions. Learn more at kingcounty.gov/ETP.
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Is your office prepared for emergencies?
Crossposted from the DES Express
Did you know that the Department of Executive Services’ (DES) own Fleet Services Parts and Materials (formerly “Stores”) offers individual employee “GO Kits” for emergencies? The red backpacks contain three separate kits for survival, personal hygiene and first aid. The disaster backpacks contain enough supplies to last three days in case of an emergency, such as water and snacks.
The DES Director’s Office recently ordered kits for each employee in the office.
“I was providing emergency preparedness training to the Director’s Office and our staff expressed an interest in emergency preparedness kits,” said Sanjay Varma, Department Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator. Read more.
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Jan. 30 is the third payday of the month
King County employees have a biweekly payroll schedule and get paid every other Thursday. Most months have two paydays, but some months have three and Jan. 30, is the third payday of the month. This year, there are 27 paydays.
If you view your paystub, you may see that the net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks is larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks.
While you are in in PeopleSoft, it’s a good time to complete the following important tasks:
- View or print your W-2 by choosing the Payroll tile and View W-2/W-2c Forms.
- Review your W-4 and make sure it’s up to date. You can update your W-4 by selecting the Payroll tile, then W-4 Tax Information.
- Check your personal information, and make sure it’s correct. Go to the Personal Details tile, make sure all items are current—especially your mailing address and email—and save any changes.
For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
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First 2025 Professional Development Scholarship launches Jan. 27
The first application period for the 2025 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens Jan. 27 through Feb. 28 for training that begins in 2025. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2025 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition.
The Scholarship Program is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU and is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
To learn more, please visit our website here: Professional Development Scholarships and you can contact us at ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov with any questions.
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Submit nominations for the Executive’s 2024 awards
The nomination period for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards is Jan. 13 through Feb. 21. The annual awards honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and performance. Any King County employee can nominate a team or individual for an Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award.
This is an opportunity to recognize outstanding project teams and leaders who:
- Create value for the customer
- Deliver measurable improvement results
- Apply innovative solutions for achieving results
Nominate someone and learn more information here.
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Airport employees prepare for snow
Crossposted from the DES Express
Much like pilots of the Navy’s Blue Angels, operators of King County International Airport’s snow removal equipment assemble regularly for drills. They practice their formations, with snow plow blades tipping like wings, swiveling during turns. Each huge Multi-Tasking Equipment (MTE) lines up behind and to the side of the one in front, plow blades overlapping just a bit, so they can most efficiently remove snow when it arrives for real.
“We’re practicing the route as if there was snow on the ground,” said MTE Operator Kyle Renner. “Once we get on the runway we’re simulating, pushing the snow the direction of the wind.” Read more.
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$26 million in affordable housing investments awarded, creating 939 homes across the region
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $26 million in funding for nine affordable housing developments that will generate 848 new homes, 66 renovated rental units, and 25 new home ownership units across King County over the next five years. The investments prioritize affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and locations close to public transit.
King County’s Housing Finance Program (HFP) – managed by the Department of Community and Human Services through its Housing and Community Development division – invests in affordable housing development and preservation throughout the region. The developments meet the diverse housing needs of communities and span the full scope of affordable housing types, including permanent supportive housing, rental housing for families and veterans, and environmentally sustainable homes that reduce utility costs and climate impacts. Read more.
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Records Management Reminder: Required Steps when Exiting Employment
Throughout the last several years we’ve seen an ongoing trend of lots of turnover – many employees are retiring or transferring to different positions, and many new employees are coming onboard. These transitions are a great time to be thinking about our important records.
Did you know that there is an Executive Policy that requires that all employees leaving their county positions perform certain steps with their records? Did you know that other people (such as Supervisors) also have certain responsibilities and steps in that process as well?
The good news is that we have resources to help!
- Manage your records throughout your entire employment – Don’t leave it all to the end and don’t add extra stress at the end of what should be an exciting time for you. Remember that Content Manager (CM) is always available to file your inactive records throughout your employment. Many other resources are also available for managing records in other spaces.
- Don’t wait until the last minute – If you know you’re leaving your position, take a look at our Exiting Employee Checklist as soon as you can and see where you might need support in those steps. Important: supervisors are responsible for managing the records if the employee has not done so before they leave!
- Discuss what to do with your supervisor and/or your Records Management Lead.
Supervisors can also learn more about their responsibilities in an 11-minute online training, Records Management for Managers and Supervisors.
For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The Records Management Program, in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to state and local legal requirements and best practices.
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Active&Fit Direct change and new Optum One Pass Select program
Kaiser Permanente has phased out the Active&Fit Direct program and has introduced a new program called One Pass Select by Optum. The Optum One Pass Select program is available to Kaiser Permanente members only. This subscription-based fitness membership and well-being network is designed to support a healthier lifestyle. Members have unlimited access to all gym locations available within a selected plan, extensive digital resources, and more.
The Active&Fit Direct program is now available to Regence members only. If Kaiser Permanente members signed up for the Active&Fit Direct program prior to Jan. 1, 2025, your membership with your gym(s) will continue as is and will not change. Read more.
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Employee dental plans provide free checkups
Oral health is an important part of overall well-being. That’s why King County offers comprehensive dental care for employees and their family members.
Most King County employees have access to two dental plan options: Delta Dental PPO and Cigna Dental HMO (offered only to the Regular & Transit ATU 587 employee benefit groups). These plans cover a wide range of services, including preventive care, diagnostic services, and restorative treatments.
Preventive services—such as routine cleanings, exams, and x-rays—are key to maintaining oral health. These regular check-ups help catch issues such as cavities or gum disease early, saving you from more extensive and costly treatments in the future.
Diagnostic and preventive services are free on both dental plans and annual deductibles do not apply. Note: Deputy Sheriff plan members pay 0 – 30% for preventive services. Please visit this link for more information. Read more.
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