Five Questions with Karl Zimmer, Assistant Plant Manager, Wastewater Treatment Division
1. What was your first role at King County? My first role at King County was working as a Utility Worker at the West Point Treatment Plant. When I started in 1981, wastewater treatment was part of the Water Pollution Control Department for the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO).
2. What does an Assistant Plant Manager at West Point Treatment Plan do? I am one of two Assistant Plant Managers for the West Point Treatment Plant and conveyance system in the West Section. My primary role is to assist in managing the operation, maintenance, and administration of the conveyance system. The West Section conveyance system includes 23 pump stations, 25 regulator and outfall stations, 3 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) treatment plants, and a number of other CSO storage and odor control facilities. The West conveyance system is a combined system, so it carries both sewer and stormwater to the West Point Treatment Plant that can overflow during rainfall events. The County is implementing a plan to substantially reduce overflows of sewage-contaminated stormwater (CSO) into Puget Sound and other area waterbodies. I have the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams CSO control projects that will significantly benefit the environment and health of King County residents.
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Kudos! Public Health nurse receives Shining Star award
Christina Enriquez (left) receives the Shining Star award from KCNA Vice President Deborah Greenleaf.
The King County Nurses Association selected Christina Enriquez (pictured left) from the Auburn Public Health Center as one of its two Shining Star Award recipients at the 2015 Annual Meeting & Spring Banquet on May 7.
The KCNA presents annual awards to nurses who demonstrate excellence in their areas of practice or contribute significantly to the nursing profession.
In recognizing Christina, the KCNA noted that “Christina Enriquez has been a nurse at Auburn Public Health for 29 years, providing maternity support services and infant case management, including services to Child Protective Services (CPS) clients and weekly clinics at Muckleshoot Indian Reservation. During the summer of 2014, Christina worked tirelessly to advocate for her clients after King County announced proposed closure of four public health clinics, including Auburn’s. She organized rallies, collected petitions, reached out to community partners, and attended city council meetings, all during her “off” hours and while helping to care for grandchildren and her elderly mother. Progress was made, and the clinic was saved. A colleague says about Christina, “She is a dedicated nurse with a big heart, an advocate with a passion for all that she does, and a friend who is genuine, caring and fun.””
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A moment of remembrance
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Since the founding of our nation, brave men and women have fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice on battlefields near and far from home.
Every year on Memorial Day, we pause to remember the more than 1.8 million men and women who have lost their lives in service to America since 1775. In mourning them, we also acknowledge the families of the fallen who share their service and sacrifice.
We honor those who did not return by doing our very best to assist the 127,000 veterans and active duty personnel who call King County home. I am proud of the way the people of King County have shown their care and support for our veterans, including their approval of the Veterans and Human Services Levy that makes it possible for King County to offer housing, employment training, emergency assistance and other supports to help stabilize the lives of our veterans and their families.
On Monday, May 25, I ask you to join me in a moment of remembrance and respect for all who have died in the service of our country, and to reflect on their families and all the men and women who continue to preserve freedom around the world and here at home.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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New Metro Transit recruitment campaign unmasks drivers’ secret identities
King County Metro Transit has launched a new recruitment campaign that highlights the pay and flexibility that being a part-time bus driver offers, and unmasks the secret identities of some of its drivers.
The campaign features a video called Metro Secret Identity: the Photographer, which spotlights Nathan, a part-time driver and photographer, the first in a series of promotional videos.
“By far the coolest and most awesome part of this job is getting to deal with all the people every day and it keeps me coming back to work every day and it’s why I still love this job after seven years.”
Watch the video here or learn more about driving for Metro here.
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Bridge Fellows graduate from development program
The first cohort of Bridge Fellows have graduated from the inaugural Bridge Fellowship program, part of King County’s commitment to empowering and developing its employees.
The Bridge Fellowship program selected applicants from across the County to participate in a one-year leadership development program designed to advance participants’ careers with King County.
The employees who participated in the program learned more about King County as an organization, shadowed employees in other County roles, created development plans for growth, and worked collaboratively on a team project designed to extend the knowledge of Equity and Social Justice across King County.
Bridge Fellowship graduates (below from left to right): Dan Kenny (DOT), Bill Stockman (DOT), Debra Baker (DPD), Kimberlee Sawyer (DNRP), Sung Cho (DCHS), Leeza Jones (DES), Ebony Martin (DAJD), Barbara Pastores (DOT).
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Five Questions with Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager, Human Resources Division
1. What is your role at King County and when did you start? I started at King County on April 20 as the Supported Employment Program Manager.
2. What is your background in supported employment? I have worked in the field of supported employment for the last 10 years at PROVAIL, the state’s largest private multi-service agency dedicated to supporting people with disabilities to fulfill their life choices. Since 2009, I served as a Program Manager in PROVAIL Employment Services department overseeing the work of 11 Employment Consultants who help individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment. I worked as an Employment Consultant for many years, developing jobs for individuals with disabilities within both small and large companies. I am excited to take my knowledge and experience to support King County in developing a strong Supported Employment program.
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Mobile Identification helps law enforcement on the go
What does an officer do when a suspect will not cooperate and provide his or her name? One solution is to use a new tool called Mobile Identification.
Mobile ID is a handheld fingerprint device paired with software that gives the officer the ability to search two fingerprints against the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and receive results in minutes. Devices do not save data; fingerprints are searched against prints on file and are not stored in the database.
“The Sheriff’s Office is very excited to be using Mobile ID,” King County Sheriff John Urquhart said. “This invaluable tool helps the deputy confirm an identity when someone plays ‘the name game’ by giving wrong names. Deputies can do their jobs more efficiently using these wireless devices, and as a result, can more quickly get back on patrol and respond to other calls.”
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Delivering technology solutions with architectural precision
What does an IT Business Analyst have in common with an architect? According to Ina Percival, a senior Business Analyst with King County Information Technology, it comes down to the planning.
“It’s probably not the best idea to build a house without an architect, and in the same way, we shouldn’t tackle an IT project without the help of a Business Analyst,” Percival said.
KCIT Junior and Senior Business Analysts are now available to provide services Countywide on IT projects. If a department or agency knows there’s an upcoming IT or technology project, it can submit a request to procure Business Analysis Services for assistance.
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Fighting truancy to keep kids out of court system
In Washington State, 75 percent of prison inmates do not have a high school diploma.
That’s why Stephanie Sato, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Senior Specialist in Truancy Intervention, is passionate about education.
“Basically education re-engagement is crime prevention. When I worked in our juvenile division I got to see it for myself. The students skipping school—they’re not bad kids—maybe there are problems at home. But, if you don’t catch truancy early, they fall behind,” Sato said. “It spirals out of control into criminal activity, and I don’t know if the kids even knew how they got there.”
Stephanie Sato, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and Senior Specialist in Truancy Intervention
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Five Questions with Meredith Li-Vollmer, Risk Communication Specialist, Public Health – Seattle & King County
1, What is Risk Communications? Risk communications involves providing information and engaging audiences about issues of concern or perceived threats in ways that will help people cope, make informed decisions, and understand their risks. This means we need to show empathy for what people are experiencing, be as open and transparent as we can about what we’re doing and why, and start communicating as soon as possible.
2. What do you do as Risk Communication Specialist for Public Health? I support the health department’s programs that work with disease outbreaks and other health threats, and I develop our plans for communicating during public health emergencies. During crisis situations, I work on a team to communicate critical health and safety information. As part of my job, I work with the news media, manage social media, and find ways to reach everyone in King County, especially those with the greatest barriers in accessing information. I talk with members of diverse communities to learn how they get information, who they trust for information, and how we can better reach them. I try to put what I learn into action by improving our public information materials and communication channels. Much of the work is collaborative with other programs that can help build the relationships we need to communicate effectively. We use these improvements for everyday communications, not just for emergencies.
Employee News 