Read Latest Retirement Outlook Newsletter Online
To read the most recent issue of Retirement Outlook with the latest news from the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), go online to www.drs.wa.gov/outlook/active. There, you can also read past issues of the Retirement Outlook newsletter. If you have questions, contact King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.
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Kudos! Solid Waste Division’s Spanish Language Recycling Education Program wins Awards
Solid Waste Division’s outreach to the Spanish-speaking community received two awards from the Puget Sound chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at its annual Totem Awards Celebration February 6.
The Recicla más. ¡Es facilísimo! Spanish language curbside recycling program received two certificates of excellence this year. One certificate is for radio advertising, multicultural communication category, in which the radio ad was recognized for its research into the audience needs and identification of cultural elements which would resonate with the audience, making the radio ad groundbreaking in its approach. 
The second certificate of excellence in community relations, government category, was awarded to SWD for the Recicla Mas program design. The program uses research on audience needs and knowledge to form the framework of the program, incorporates community based social marketing tactics (recruiting and training Spanish language education advocates, Facilitadoras de Reciclaje, who are leaders in their community, Culturally resonant web content, Hispanic media partnerships), and includes Hispanic/Latino community members in planning, implementation and program design improvements. These tactics comprise the essentials of culturally competent education outreach program design.
“The King County recycling campaign in 2013 was one of the best experiences I have had working at KKMO and I’ve seen a lot of valuable information communicated to our community about how they can save the future environment of our region and the planet,” said Edgar Solares, General Sales Manager for local Spanish-language radio station KKMO. “I hope King County continues to provide this information to pass to the new generations.”
Recicla más. ¡Es facilísimo! will begin its fourth year in 2014 by expanding the Facilitadoras de Reciclaje, updating and adding to web content, continuing the Hispanic media partnership begun in 2013 and incorporating community liaisons in long term project design advocacy and planning.
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Apply for King County Internal Bridge Fellowship
Starting March 10, employees can apply for one of 10 internal Bridge Fellowships that will help them develop their careers, grow their organizational knowledge, and enhance their leadership skills at King County.
The Internal Bridge Fellowship Program is a one-year, formal development program that is open to all regular (full-time) and TLT employees. Ten fellows will be selected for the first cohort. Candidates can be individual contributors, supervisors or managers. Each candidate must have leadership potential (demonstrated at work, at home, or in the community) and a desire to advance across the organization.
What is the Bridge Fellowship?
- Learn more about how our organization works – Fellows will attend the King County Bridge Academy, a week-long training designed to enhance your leadership skills and your understanding of King County’s enterprise-wide goals and initiatives, operations, and Labor, Human Resources, Budget, and Legislative systems and processes.
- Tackle a challenge with a team of aspiring leaders and present your results to current leadership – Fellows will work together as a team on a Cohort Project that addresses an outstanding question or challenge faced by King County or by a particular County department or division.
- Create a plan for your development and growth – Each fellow will create an Individual Leadership Development Plan (ILDP) that outlines his/her development needs and career aspirations. With the help of an employee development professional, each fellow will undergo a 360 degree review to receive feedback from supervisors, peers, and other colleagues regarding his/her strengths, opportunities for growth, and leadership potential. With this feedback, each fellow will then create a customized development plan and portfolio. NOTE: As a part of the fellowship, fellows will complete six trainings of their choice to better their skills and reach their development goals.
- Try on a “new role” at King County, in another position or department that interests you – Fellows will participate in a Role Immersion; an experiential learning opportunity based on development goals and departmental needs. In this 30-90 day assignment, fellows will have the chance to contribute and learn, through primarily project-based work, observational learning, and mentorship by their “host” sponsor in a new position or department/division.
Why Apply? Bridge Fellows will develop and enhance their professional mobility, organizational knowledge, cross-departmental networks, and leadership competencies via structured, cohort-centered training and collaboration, experiential learning opportunities, and individualized development planning.
Applications open March 10 and close March 31. To apply, visit www.kingcounty.gov/BridgeFellowship. Send your completed application scanned to BridgeFellowship@kingcounty.gov or mail paper application to the Human Resources Division, Mail Stop ADM-ES-0553. Contact BridgeFellowship@kingcounty.gov for more information.
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PRSA Totem Award for Children and Family Justice Center Project
The Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) communications and outreach effort also won a Certificate of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Puget Sound Chapter. The award was given in the Community Relations Program category for the communications planning and work that culminated in the successful Public Open House in March 2013.
Congratulations to the CFJC communications team on this prestigious honor.
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Featured Job: Business Analyst
Application deadline: First screen date will be 3/18/14
Salary: $75,400.00 – $95,576.00 Annually
Department: Department of Natural Resources & Parks – Director’s Office
Description: This position will report to Department of Natural Resources and Park’s Chief Financial Officer as part of a team (including an existing Project/Program Manager IV and a Strategic Development Analyst, with administrative support from an Administrator II) which provides technical guidance and leadership to multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams within DNRP’s four diverse operating divisions. This team supports the DNRP divisions across a range of functions, including business planning, financial planning and management, performance measurement, space planning, records management, emergency preparedness coordination and other administrative areas. This position will use business process improvement tools and techniques in support of the DNRP divisions’ business planning efforts; and will also facilitate emergency preparedness coordination, and customer service enhancements across the divisions.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Kudos! Felicia Collins, Metro Transit Operator
“This morning started out really rough for me. My car broke down so my only way of getting to school was the bus. As I started towards the bus stop I noticed the 106 coming so I started running, still more than a half block from the stop the bus pulls over and waits for me. I was so thankful for this act of kindness ‘cause she made it possible for me to get to the connecting 71 and arrive at school with time to spare. I don’t ride the bus that often because of all the negative things that go on but today your driver has made me change my mind about Metro here in Seattle. This is the kind of employee I would want on my staff, she is great!!! The world needs more people like her. Please thank her again” – Lisa W.
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Kudos! Ralph J. Brooks, Metro Transit Operator
“I just got off the route 14 to Mt Baker station and had a Wonderful experience with my driver. He was thoughtful, encouraging, kind, and caring. I could tell he really took the time to get to know his riders and make them feel comfortable. :)” – Kirra M.
On hearing of the customer’s comments, Operator Brooks said getting this commendation was the best part of his morning, and he was very thankful to hear it.
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Featured Job: Electronic Communications Specialist
Application deadline: Tuesday 02/25/14, 4:30 p.m.
Salary: $32.19 – $40.81 Hourly / $66,955.20 – $84,884.80 Annually
Department: King County Department of Information Technology
Description: King County is in search of two Electronics Communications Specialists (ECS) who will perform highly skilled technical work as an expert in land mobile radio systems and other electronic equipment, including the 800 MHz Regional Public Safety Communications System, digital microwave networks and supporting computer systems and networks. One position is Career Service and the other position is a Term-limited Temporary position with an anticipated end date of December 2016. Reporting to the Infrastructure Supervisor, the ECS will be responsible for utilizing computer software and electronic test equipment perform system diagnostics, interpret results, and affect rapid repair of electronics equipment and support equipment for the WAN network which controls the trunked radio system, associated microwave network and other communication systems and equipment.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Healthy Incentives 2014 Now Underway
The 2014 Healthy Incentives program started on February 14, and if you want lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, here’s what you can do:
- Start when you’re ready. Take your wellness assessment and finish an individual action plan any time between February 14 and July 31, 2014. No more separate deadline for the wellness assessment.
- More ways to earn silver. Complete either the wellness assessment or an individual action plan to earn silver.
- Enter activity any time online. Once you register for the new StayWell online individual action plan, you can enter activity when it’s convenient for you, not just the week you did it.
- Choice in individual action plans. Choose from 10 individual action plans including two new and eight returning favorites.
For more information see www.kingcounty.gov/HealthyIncentives or call 206-684-1556.
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DCHS Employees Participate in One Night Count
In the early morning hours of Friday, Jan. 24, hundreds of King County residents gathered at dozens of meeting points throughout the County to walk their carefully assigned areas and count the people they saw on the streets, sleeping on benches, huddled in makeshift shelters or camping in cars. It was the annual One Night Count of homeless persons, coordinated by the Seattle-King County Coalition on Homelessness, with funding support from the Committee to End Homelessness (CEH). On that night, a total of 3,113 people were counted outdoors without safe and secure shelter. That is an increase from the previous year. The count is a federal requirement and is conducted across the country in late January. A count of people in shelter and transitional housing is also conducted on the same night, with a report due in about a month.
Taking part in the street count was CEH Director Mark Putnam, who counted on a team in South King County and then traveled to Seattle headquarters to meet with reporters. Speaking after the count, Mark said, “Tonight is an indicator of both the needs of the homeless in our community but also the compassion of the community. We serve more than 9,000 households a year in our shelter and transitional housing programs, and we need to do more to meet the needs of those still living outside.”
(Photo: Linda Greenway, Janice Hougen and Debbi Knowles finalize the tally.)
Janice Hougen, Homeless Housing Planner with the Department of Community and Human Services’ (DCHS) Housing and Community Development Program, was a team leader in what was her 15th year of participation. Asked the importance of the count, Janice said it helps to build understanding in the community about homelessness and particularly for the hundreds of volunteers, makes homelessness feel more “real” when they see for themselves that people are sleeping outdoors on a cold January night. “Homelessness becomes more a call to action when you see it for yourself,” said Janice.
Janice and Mark were joined by staff from DCHS including Steve Andryszewski, Cindy Bergh, Gretchen Bruce, Steve Collins, Greg Ferland, Dan Floyd, Marquis Frank, Linda Greenway, Sherry Hamilton, Jon Hoskins, Valerie Kendall, Debbi Knowles, Pat Lemus, Adrienne Quinn, Chan Saelee, Janet Salm, Triina Tennelo and Amanda Thompkins.
“I do it year after year because it gives me the chance to pause from my day-to-day life and for just a few hours, get a sense of what it might be like to be out on the street at night with no place to go,” said Janice. “It is humbling. It is sad. But ultimately, it reinforces for me why this work is so important and reinvigorates me to keep working with our community to end homelessness.”
Want to know more about the count or maybe participate next year? Speak to Janice Hougen or Cindy Bergh or any of the staff who participated in the count this year.
Reprinted from DCHS’s Touching Base newsletter.
Employee News 