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.”
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New thinking finds forever homes for more animals
Helping animals find forever homes has always been the goal for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) but employees knew that they needed a shift in thinking if they were to save more animals.
“I know it sounds corny but really there’s nobody there for these animals,” Lori Mason, Foster Care Coordinator and Licensed Veterinary Technician, said. “They were abandoned here for whatever reason and so all they have is us and the foster parents to find them a new life.”
RASKC was formed in 2010 as a partnership between King County and more than two dozen cities to improve animal welfare in our region, replacing King County Animal Control. At the time King County Executive Dow Constantine declared that not only would King County maintain animal services, it would take steps to build one of the nation’s best agencies of its kind.
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Featured Job: Executive Assistant – CAO
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/04/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $69,846.40 – $88,524.80 Annually
Job Type: Appointed
Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington
Department: Department of Executive Services
Description: The Department of Executive Services – Director’s Office is searching for a seasoned professional to provide executive-level support to the County Administrative Officer and Deputy Director. This role involves daily interaction with the organization at all levels as well as external contacts. Successful candidates for this role will be self-starters who have excellent interpersonal skills, a keen attention to detail, an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and solid background in providing executive-level support.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Walk in the Shoes of a King County Employee – Family Law Facilitator Program
My job as King County Executive requires advocating for and balancing the needs of residents, employees, and the region as a whole. My years as an attorney working on behalf of clients taught me that fighting it out until there is a winner and a loser is usually less productive than figuring out what would work best for everyone involved. So I was excited for my first Walk in the Shoes this year – with legal staff in King County Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitator Program.
The Early Resolution Case Managers (ERCMs) are attorneys who provide information and referrals (but not direct legal advice) to people with family law issues who are not represented by attorneys.
King County’s ERCM program, founded in 2011, is the only one of its kind in Washington State. There are no income requirements to participate, and a sliding fee scale is used.
Family Law Information Center Manager Jamie Perry gave me an overview of the office’s work, and ERCMs Kevin Rowles and Christina Luera discussed the office’s varied services, including its Family Law Orientation. The one-hour class for unrepresented parties explains in plain language how a case usually works, from start to finish.
Employee News 