Language portal shares Haz Waste info in 22 languages
Your friends and neighbors speak a language other than English. They want to know how to get rid of hazardous products they no longer want to use. What do you do?
Send them to the language portal on the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County website. They may be able to find the information they need in their own language. With colorful thumbnail images, videos, web pages translated into Spanish and a Spanish Facebook page, this portal makes hazardous product information accessible to more people and businesses in our county.
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New director is passionate about expanding voting turnout
Innovation is key to developing efficient business practices. Technology giants do it, retail business owners do it – everyone wants to take the next step to become better, stronger and have a deeper impact.
Recently-elected Director of Elections Julie Wise looks forward to making this happen for the King County voting process. A south county local from Enumclaw, she has been with the Elections office for 15 years. First as a phone bank employee, she continued to get further involved after realizing she was a “geek” for the administrative elections process. A self-described non-partisan, she is passionate about providing a transparent, accessible and secure electoral structure for King County voters.
“We need to broaden access and remove barriers for everybody to be involved in the voting process,” she said. “I’m here to see that their vote is counted, how they want it and how they intended it.”
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Attorney gives new meaning to phrase “Grab life by the balls”
Deputy prosecuting attorney Nancy Balin is committed to ensuring justice for her community. Originally from Massachusetts and intent on pursuing her Master’s in Social Work, she instead focused on a law degree and never looked back. She’s been with King County since 1999 and admits that while it can be challenging work, she enjoys it.
“There are always multiple things happening at once, it’s never boring here,” she said. “Aside from all our regular duties, we’ve also got to balance and prioritize what’s important. We’re conscious every day that we work for the people of King County.”
It is with this in mind that she explains to her clients the details and important notices within each case. She understands the legal process can be intimidating and difficult for someone unfamiliar with it.
“When I am representing my clients I try to keep them apprised of where the law and the County are going,” she said. “Even when I can’t convince judges of my client’s positions, I explain as much as I can about the restraints they are under –time, financial, everything.”
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Bringing women to the forefront in technology
This article is featured courtesy of Jamie Holter, Communications Manager, Department of Information Technology
In honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), meet Diana Chism, King County IT for Production Operations. She’s been working in IT with the County for 26 years, yet still considers herself growing and learning. She has advice for women entering the tech world.
Sit AT the table!
“When you are invited to a meeting, have a seat at the table, literally! Women tend to sit along the outside and give men the seat closest to the center of power. Don’t do that! Your ideas and your expertise is valued. You bring something they don’t.”
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Spanish language classes create opportunity for connection
Teacher Teresa Ramon Joffre oversees employee-students in the Language in Motion program.
When the phone rings and the woman on the other end asks her question in hesitant English mixed with Spanish, she finds herself surprised that the King County employee responds to her in Spanish and directs her to a translator who can better assist.
Such smooth and welcoming customer experiences might be all thanks to King County’s Language in Motion program. King County has partnered with Seattle Colleges to offer Introductory Spanish business language classes. The classes are aimed at getting frontline employees in agencies such as Elections and Records and Licensing, and in customer support roles, familiar with Spanish used in a business setting.
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Featured Job: Executive Program Assistant
Closing Date/Time: Wed. 03/23/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $26.49 – $33.58 Hourly, $55,099.20 – $69,846.40 Annually
Job Type: Appointed
Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington
Department: King County Executive – Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget
Description: King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy, & Budget (PSB) is seeking a seasoned professional to provide executive-level meeting planning and logistical support to senior management and committee and operations leadership. This role serves as a key member of the joint Executive office and PSB administrative support team. Our ideal candidate will have a strong process management and process improvement mentality, be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple customers.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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IT Governance: What it is and why it matters
This article is featured courtesy of Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology
Governor Inslee’s investigation into the Department of Corrections’ early prisoner release issue cited “IT Governance” as a key contributing factor. What exactly is IT Governance?
In short, it analyzes the need, researches the solution, takes advice from public and private sector experts, and creates an open environment to expose and fix errors quickly. More technically, IT Governance is an approach to IT solutions that integrates business needs, technology trends, innovation, best practices and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) into every IT solution, product and system whether it’s cloud computing, county-issued mobile devices, or any other need that touches the public.
Many of our software systems in King County rise to the critical public safety level, similar to the DOC system. At KCIT, we recognize that it could happen here if IT Governance were not among our highest priorities.
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DES employees know hard work is worth the effort
More than 400 Department of Executive Services (DES) employees came together over two sessions on March 3 for the third annual DES All-Hands Meeting to build understanding of how DES employees contribute to the success of King County, support key priorities and how the department and the County can help them be more successful.
Department Director Caroline Whalen wanted to bring the department’s employees together to build on the responses from the recent King County Employee Survey, share some successes from the department’s focus on customer service, and hear from King County Executive Dow Constantine on how their work support his key priorities.
Group shot of the AM meeting group.
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Changing management of animal services sees giant leap in adoptions
Gracy is one of a several dogs available at RASKC.
On Wednesday Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) celebrated an impressive feat: reducing the County’s shelter euthanasia rate for dogs and cats to 12 percent, down from 40 in 2008.
King County Executive Dow Constantine met with animal welfare advocates at a Petco in Kirkland to commend the dramatic turnaround. The store has partnered with RASKC to showcase animals that are available for adoption, and has helped increase outreach and awareness to the overall community.
“The people of King County want to know that every cat and dog has a safe, loving home; that every animal is cared for,” said Executive Constantine in a media release. “I am proud that King County has created a model of compassionate, humane animal services that is setting the standard for the nation.”
The event was covered in various King County news outlets, including The Seattle Times and the Kent Reporter.
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Retirement means no coffee breaks for this outgoing employee
When most people retire they plan a big trip or some time to relax, but not outgoing Educator Consultant Chuck Davis. With his 27 years of change management and organizational development work under his belt, he is looking forward to channeling his passion into a private consulting practice.
“I’ve learned and grown and matured while with the County, and I brought a certain skill set to my position, so this opportunity will be a nice marriage of the two,” he said. “I worked with employees to be more effective as a team, and I’m going to continue doing the same outside of the County because that’s my passion. I love doing it.”
Employee News 