Five questions with Paige Shevlin, Economic Development Policy Advisor
1. Why did you start as a policy advisor with King County?
When I moved to this area for my husband’s job I considered opportunities across the region including in philanthropy and the private sector but local government appealed to me most. It’s an opportunity to use my federal government experience but have more of a direct impact on people’s lives. King County is especially appealing because it represents the whole region and people live and work across city lines.
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Department of Public Defense Employees Feed Homeless
The meal in February pulled together a new group of DPD employees – nearly all of them were members of DPD’s civil commitment team.
More than 130 homeless people in Seattle were served up dinner by public defenders who volunteered for Operation Nightwatch (ONW) on Saturday, Feb. 20. The menu included Sloppy Joes, rice, salad and gourmet brownies.
This was hardly a first for public defense. In fact, members of the department have been serving dinners for homeless men and women every other month for more than five years.
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Free and low-cost exercise classes for King County employees in the Chinook Building
Did you know that there were free and low cost exercise classes in the Chinook building, mostly at lunch time? What a great way to earn Gold Status for the Healthy Incentives program! Some of the classes could use a boost of attendees to energize the instructors and other participants. Consider these options:
Cardio Dancing with Shirley Zhang: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to noon, free.
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Shirley Zhang in motion with class participants.
No experience needed. Partially led by videos. Cool Chinese music. All are welcome, could use a boost of participants. Whether you were a dance major or have two left feet, just come and give it a try if you like. You can start in the back of the room. If it seems hard (this advice is for all classes!), remember that others may have done this dozens of times and also felt awkward their first time or two!
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Featured Job: Communications Specialist IV
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 04/11/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $80,522.00 – $102,066.43 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Location: King Street Center – 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, Washington
Department: Department of Natural Resources & Parks – Water and Land Resources Division
Description: The Water and Land Resources (WLR) Division is one of four divisions within the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). It is a dynamic, high performing natural resource management agency comprised of approximately 350 employees with a $55.7 million operating and $65.6 million capital budget. Our mission is to provide high quality public services that reflect best scientific and engineering practices to meet our customers’ expectations, enhance the quality of land and water resources, and protect the quality of life in King County.
WLR provides both regional and local services for King County residents. Regional services include flood hazard reduction and emergency response, hazardous waste management, noxious weed control, agriculture and small lot forestry practices, watershed planning, and environmental laboratory services. Local services include storm water management, habitat restoration, and scientific analyses.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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King County applies lessons from Arizona to help families facing teen domestic violence
Stephanie Trollen, legal services supervisor for King County’s Youth Detention Center; and Jimmy Hung, senior deputy prosecutor and chair of the King County juvenile unit.
Crossposted from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Facebook
“I hated the feeling that we were failing families,” Stephanie Trollen said.
Stephanie, who spent 18 years as a victim advocate at the King County Prosecutor’s office, described an all-too-common scene. “We would see these parents and teenagers come in stressed and upset and desperate for help, and I felt like we had nothing to offer them.”
Kids and parents commonly ended up at the detention ce…nter because of domestic violence. These weren’t scenarios where a husband was abusing his wife. In juvenile cases—where one-third of new bookings are domestic violence situations—it’s kids inflicting violence on their parents, siblings, or other family members.
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Josephine Wong will join 2016-2017 class of Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship program
Department of Community and Human Services Deputy Director Josephine Wong has been selected for Annie E. Casey Foundation’s tenth class of the Children and Family Fellowship, a 16-month intensive leadership program for executive leaders. In its third decade, the program is designed to give more child and family-serving professionals the confidence and competence to lead major system reforms and community change initiatives that get results. Without strong leadership, investments in programs and system reform initiatives alone are not enough to create urgent, long-lasting improvements for children and families.
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Team player makes waves, uses military background to connect with County values
Rich is a Radio Shop Supervisor and has been with King County Radio Communications since 2005.
In the world of radio communications it’s essential to have a solid team to work with. People who will step up to the plate and get the job done well, whether it’s refurbishing old technology, or preparing for a new, county-wide innovative project. William (Rich) Richardson is just one of those guys, a total team player who goes the extra mile.
A retired Army first sergeant, Rich is now a Radio Shop Supervisor and has been with King County Radio Communications since 2005. He is a decorated military veteran with extensive travel experience, rattling off places like Korea, Thailand, Germany, Iraq and Egypt. While he enjoyed his travels, he is happy to call King County home, and is proud of his duty to serve King County employees and the public.
“Our job here at King County Radio Communication Services is to deliver wireless communication services to First Responders and public-serving agencies throughout King County and to serve as an active partner in support of the Regional Emergency Communication System”, he said. “It’s ultimately like being a public servant.”
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Employee ensures equity for patients, equity for staff, equity for all
Committed to removing barriers for her patients, Dental Supervisor Deborah DeQuier-Bowden ensures everyone who enters her clinic has the best customer service experience. While she’s worked at the Columbia Public Health Dental Clinic since January 2014, she has been with King County for 15 years. She has been passionate about including equity and social justice efforts throughout her work at every level.
“Equity and social justice comes from the heart,” she said. “It’s my goal as a supervisor –not as a person of color – to see these barriers.”
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Featured Job: Language Services and Community Outreach Program Supervisor II
Closing Date/Time: Wed. 03/30/16 4:30 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $33.58 – $42.56 Hourly, $69,846.40 – $88,524.80 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 35 hrs/week
Location: King County Elections – 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057-2906, Washington
Department: Department of Elections
Description: The Department of Elections is recruiting a Program Supervisor II who will lead the Language Services and Community Outreach Program at King County Elections. This position will oversee the team responsible for translating documents, providing language-based assistance to new and existing voters, supporting outreach events in Limited English Speaking (LES) communities and coordinating activities between the Department and community based organizations/service providers and community leaders. The outreach work is performed under limited supervision within general policy guidelines and requires considerable independent judgment and discretion in responding to and interacting with individuals and groups, which may be in politically sensitive situations. The work requires an understanding of County and Department priorities, policies and procedures; and of community interests and concerns. Some work is performed at a site remote from the manager so work is reviewed through written reports and periodic meetings with the leadership team.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
Employee News 