Employee News

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Making Life Easier: Quick support when you need it

Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress and crunched for time? You’re not alone. Many of us juggle busy schedules and competing demands, leaving little room to pause and recharge.

Making Life Easier (MLE) offers free, easy-to-access resources designed to support you and your household members in the moment, without fuss. Learn more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Too far to just bike? Bike + Transit: The perfect pair for Bike Everywhere month

Crossposted from Metro Matters

It’s beautiful weather and you want to want to go someplace fun, but is it too far to go by your trusty bike?

We’ve got a solution: combine transit and your bike, it’s easy, cheap and super convenient! Between bus bike racks and lockers, we’ve got you covered.

May is Bike Everywhere Month, and that makes it a great time to try pairing your bike with transit to give you the ultimate, flexible ride or commute. As the sun comes out this spring, check out a few ways you can extend your two-wheeled adventures with King County Metro. Read more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Transitioning to our new GIS Open Data services

Crossposted from GIS & You

As part of the GIS Center’s on-going data modernization efforts, we launched our renewed GIS Open Data site at the beginning of 2026.

It’s got a fresh new look that matches the style of kingcounty.gov and it’s been simplified to help you find and use our data as quickly as possible. Additionally, the hosted Feature Services that provide the data are now hosted in ArcGIS Online instead of our on-prem ArcGIS Server. This allows us to provide you with the performance, availability, and reliability you’ve come to expect from ESRI’s map, app, and data services. Read more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

It’s a slam-dunk!

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter

On Sunday, April 19, Precinct 5 played its fourth competitive scrimmage matchup against the Shoreline Special Olympics Basketball Team. Led by Team Captain King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Deputy Daniel Schettler, Kenmore Police Chief Brandon Moen, Maple Valley Police Chief Tommy Collins, Sound Transit K-9 Officers Carlos Jurado and Ryan Fenton, Mental Health Professionals (MHP) Adam Foley and John Streimikes, and others.

Precinct 5 secured a 45–36 victory, tying the scrimmage series at two games apiece. Team Captain Deputy Schettler captured it best, saying “These games are so much more than just playing a pick-up game of basketball. It’s about being able to bring together our KCSO chiefs, deputies, K9-Handlers, MHPs, and family/friends as a team and collectively connect with an important part of our community. I love how competitive these games get and afterwards we can laugh, shake hands, and build meaningful relationships.”

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

KCSO in the news

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter

During a recent drone training class, KOMO TV reporter Jeremy Harris received an exclusive look and interview with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) drone team as they train and prep for the 2026 World Cup. Watch the video below and see how this technology will be used when the games begin in June.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Executive Zahilay announces leadership transition at Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Crossposted from Field Notes

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced that John Taylor, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, has accepted an appointment as the new CEO of the Cascade Water Alliance, a partner organization that contributes to safe, clean, reliable water supply in the Central Puget Sound region.

The department completed major projects during Taylor’s tenure, including King County’s largest-ever floodplain restoration project, a unique onsite battery system that provides reliable power to West Point Treatment Plant, and the renewal of the King County Parks Levy. Read more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Thanking employees during Public Service Recognition Week

Dear team,

As King County Executive, one thing I enjoy is getting out to Be in Community, meeting with teams at worksites across King County and thanking you all for the work you do. It’s one way I get to know more about you, your work, learn about your innovation, and learn of obstacles I can help remove.

This week, as part of Public Service Recognition Week, I’ll be visiting employees at our 9-1-1 Communications Center in Renton to connect with the team, hear and learn from them, and thank them for the critical work they do.

Like so much of what we do, the work of these dedicated employees is behind the scenes. But when residents need their help, they are there, 24/7, as a voice at the end of the line to help during times of emergency and distress. The professionalism, dedication, and empathy that our 9-1-1 team members bring to their work make a difference in the lives of so many of our residents, often in their most difficult moments. Read more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Available Verizon discounts for King County employees

Employees can now receive special Verizon discounts on home internet. These discounts are available to both new and existing Verizon home internet customers, no contracts or bundles required. The discounts include up to $10 off Verizon Fios home internet and up to $10 off Verizon 5G home internet.

This offer is only available online at verizon.com/dealsatwork. Signing up is easy:

Visit verizon.com/dealsatwork
Enter your work email address. If you do not have a work email address, click on “I don’t have a work email address” and follow the prompts to verify employment.
You will receive an email with a link from Verizon Notification.
Click on the embedded link in the email. Then follow the prompts to start saving!

For Verizon Home Internet discount related questions, contact Dealsatwork@verizon.com. For more information, view this discount summary.

See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Help shape affordable housing in unincorporated King County

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections

Want to learn how King County can create more affordable housing in unincorporated communities?

We’re exploring three policy tools that could improve housing affordability and stability — and we want your input.

Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption (MFTE): A program that lowers property taxes for housing developers that include affordable homes. It can apply to housing like townhomes and condos. State law now allows MFTE in parts of unincorporated King County.
Inclusionary Housing: A policy that creates affordable homes as new housing is built. It can be voluntary or required. In the workshops, you’ll learn how each approach works and where they could be used in unincorporated King County.
Community Preference: A program that helps reduce displacement by giving priority for affordable housing to people with ties to a neighborhood, such as current residents or those pushed out by rising housing costs.

Join King County staff and partners for a series of virtual workshops. You’ll learn how these tools work, where they could be used, and share your thoughts on what your community needs. Each session includes time for questions. Workshops will also be recorded and posted online for later viewing. Read more.

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

2026 Professional Development Scholarship opens on June 1

On June 1, the Professional Development Scholarship Program will open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition, in addition to non-represented employees.

The Scholarship Program is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications.

The second application period for the 2026 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens June 1 through July 10, 2026, for training that begins in 2026.

Applicants should visit the scholarship intranet site to familiarize themselves with the revised application submission process, rating criteria, and frequently asked questions.

For questions, contact ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.