Employee News

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Congratulations! Gary Archer is Metro Transit’s 2016 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year!

In a surprise ceremony last Wednesday, lead mechanic Gary Archer was named Metro Transit’s 2016 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year – to the smiles and applause of his coworkers and team at South Base in Tukwila.

It’s the second time Gary has won the award, unprecedented in Metro’s history. Archer was selected by his peers, more than 600 vehicle maintenance workers across Metro’s seven bus bases. Gary first won the Employee of the Year award in Vehicle Maintenance in 2003.

KCIT: Tier Four Board 101 video

KCIT has a strategic plan to develop projects and processes that ladder up to the priorities of King County’s Best Run Government initiative. To make sure teams stay on track, we work from a Tier Four Board. It tracks goals, projects, value, metrics and the names of those who are accountable. Every two weeks, the leadership team gathers around the Tier Four Board to talk about progress.

But not everyone knows about the Tier Four board and why it matters to every KCIT employee. So CIO Bill Kehoe walked the leadership team through “Tier Four Board 101“.

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Jason Argo

Hot Topics: Exec talks about career growth and advancement in new video

King County Executive Dow Constantine used the launch of a new employee video series, “Hot Topics,” to talk about one of the biggest issues that came out of last year’s Employee Survey: career growth and advancement.

“It’s clear that we aren’t doing enough to provide genuine, equitable career development and growth opportunities for all employees, and that’s something that I am committed to fixing,” Executive Constantine said. “That’s because I want King County to be a place where you can pursue your passion for public service and take your career in a wide range of directions.”

In the video Executive Constantine discusses what employees said in the survey and 2015 Equity and Social Justice workshops about development and advancement at King County, and what is being done to respond.

Please take a moment to watch the Executive’s video by clicking the image below. You can also watch three other short videos in the inaugural edition of “Hot Topics” here or the full 20-minute show here.

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Soundgarden helps Executive launch the SoundGuardian, King County’s new environmental research vessel

Members of the iconic Seattle band Soundgarden help Executive Constantine launch the SoundGuardian, King County’s new environmental research vessel. The new 48-foot vessel will be used by field scientists at the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks to collect samples in Puget Sound, Lake Washington and the Duwamish River.

For more information view the video on King County TV or read more in the official press release..

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Data-Driven Justice Community Workshop at the White House

Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter

Adrienne Quinn, Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Jesse Benet, DCHS Diversion and Reentry Coordinator, and Cindy Spain, United Healthcare (Managed Care Organization – WA Apple Health provider), attended a day-long convening at the White House called Data-Driven Justice Community Workshop on June 13. Fifty-five counties and seven states were represented at the event, each sending human services leadership, police chiefs, commissioners/judges, and diversion and reentry subject matter experts to discuss the intersection of data science with intentional diversion practices to support the more than 11 million individuals churning through U.S. jails each year.

Protect pets from Fourth of July fireworks

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC

Fireworks are beautiful to look at, but they can be scary for our pets. The bangs and booms are hard on their sensitive hearing, and even the calmest pet can get upset by the unfamiliar loud noises.

To help your pet cope with the noise from fireworks, and reduce the chance that it runs away, Regional Animal Services of King County offers these tips:

Keep your pet secured indoors in the quietest room of your home while fireworks are audible. You can also use soothing music or television as a distraction. Some pets will stay calmer when placed in a secure crate in a darkened, quiet room.

Featured Job: Information Technology Division Director

Closing date: Continuous (Until Filled)

Salary: $114,920.00 – $145,683.20 Annually

Job Type: Appointed

Location: King County Elections – 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057

Department: Department of Elections

Description: With a growing commitment to providing an accessible voting experience to the residents of King County, the Department of Elections is looking for a dynamic and visionary leader to manage the daily operations of the Information Technology Division. Just like industry leaders in our region, we are looking for an out-of-the-box thinker, who will break down barriers and challenge us to continuously improve. We are looking for a high-quality executive who is an innovator and change agent with the ability to leverage our resources to maximize our talent and results. The primary goal of this position will be to make decisions leveraging technology and resources to maintain high customer service levels while implementing strategies and guiding principles which align with the business needs. This leader will interface with internal management, state/federal and regulatory agencies, as well as County department and agencies.

Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Wastewater Treatment Division: From intern to process analyst

As shared from the DNRP WTD Watermark Newsletter

Jessica Tanumihardja recently joined West Point [treatment plant] as the newest process analyst. Prior to WTD, Jessica was an engineer-in-training at Northwest Water Systems and earned her graduate degree in environmental engineering from the University of Washington.

Jessica first learned about WTD by meeting HR staff at a college job fair. “They were really nice and friendly so I applied for an internship in project management.” Jessica worked with Project Manager Erica Jacobs and others during her internship.

After graduating, Jessica received emails about King County jobs. “I saw a post for a process analyst,” said Jessica. “I had such a good experience during my internship, and really liked the people and work environment, so I applied. I also felt comfortable because I already knew some of the systems!”

Read more about Jessica’s journey from intern to King County employee in the latest issue of the Watermark newsletter (PDF ), which also features articles on water education, transferring knowledge and celebrating 50 years of the West Point treatment plant.

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Lilia Cabello Drain

New role for Paula Harris-White

Crossposted from DES Express

Many of you know Paula Harris-White from her service as the Department of Executive Services’ Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Manager, heading up King County’s annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, working with the Civil Rights Commission, or managing the Employee-Based Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Committee.

Now, Paula has been named the Workforce Equity Manager for King County, working out of the Human Resources Division (HRD). In her new role, Paula will serve as a subject matter and technical expert in the areas of workforce equity, racial justice, fairness, and opportunity.