DAJD recruiters pioneer comic book-style approach
By Noah Haglund, DAJD Communications Specialist IV
To attract the next generation of officers at King County jails, the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention’s (DAJD) recruitment team is trying out a novel form of storytelling.
“On the Job” uses a comic book-style to show the journey of three wayward young people who tour a jail, meet COs, and overturn their assumptions about working in corrections. By the end, they are ready to apply to work as corrections officers.
Created in collaboration with LA-based Hero Projects, “On the Job” was published online in March. Hard copies are due to reach DAJD’s Human Resources Section in early April. Read more.
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Safety lessons for Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. At least nine people a day are killed in distracted driving crashes. Handheld and hands-free phone calls and texts, emails, social media, passengers, snacks, and even built-in vehicle touchscreens are just some of the distractions fighting for your attention on the road.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: if something requires your hands, your eyes or your attention while you’re driving, it’s a distraction. Distracted driving isn’t just risky for you, it can be deadly for every nearby driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, and worker.
Pledge to avoid distracted driving and help everyone around you get home safe. For more information, check out these materials to help us all stay safe while driving:
- Test your knowledge of distracted driving with the distracted driving quiz.
- Watch this video of the impacts of distracted driving with real testimonials.
- Common Visual Distractions while driving
- Common Manual Distractions while driving
- Common Cognitive Distractions while driving
- National Safety Council: Have you ever felt in danger as a passenger in a car?
- Driver Safety on and off the job
- Put the brakes on distracted driving
We hope you will take the safety lessons you learn at work and bring them home to those you care about so we can all stay safe.
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Department of Local Services brings together unincorporated area utility providers to share experiences from ‘bomb cyclone’ and other severe weather
Crossposted from King County Local
Last November, a rare “bomb cyclone” pounded the Puget Sound region. The storm downed trees and knocked out power and other services for weeks in parts of unincorporated King County.
This week, the Department of Local Services invited representatives from utility providers and partner agencies that serve unincorporated King County for a discussion about communication, coordination and recovery during the storm. The discussion also covered lessons learned and ways to collaborate and strengthen partnerships to better serve communities during major weather events. Read more.
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Exclusive savings to various parks through TicketsatWork
King County employees can get two parks for $99 plus free meals – including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Aquatica Orlando or Adventure Island Tampa – through TicketsatWork. Learn more and view full offer terms.
TicketsatWork is updated daily with seasonal offers and exclusive savings on everything from home entertainment to your everyday needs.
Visit ticketsatwork.com/tickets and use the company code KingCounty to begin receiving discounts and extra special offers on your go-to brands and most-loved experiences, including brand new offers on cruises, just in time for spring travel.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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Together We Thrive: Employee Engagement Survey has launched
The Employee Engagement Survey began on March 31 and runs through April 21.
On Monday, March 31, eligible King County employees (all Executive Branch employees, employees in King County Elections, King County Assessor’s Office, and King County Council who have worked at the county for at least three months prior to the survey and are not an intern or on an STT assignment) received an email from noreply@qemailserver.com with a custom link to complete the survey.
If you did not receive the survy email, please check your email junk or “Other” inbox. If you still cannot find the email, please reach out to your department’s Engagement Champion or contact employeeexperience@kingcounty.gov.
The survey will take 15 – 30 minutes. Please know that your feedback is confidential. All individual responses are highly confidential and may not be accessed by anyone at King County. We will act on your responses. Employee feedback through past surveys led to the creation of hundreds of workgroup-focused action plans, new career development programs, an enhanced focus on health and well-being, expanded policies on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment, and the opportunity to use sick leave to volunteer for organizations participating in the Employee Giving Program.
You can learn more at the Employee Engagement SharePoint page.
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Providence Swedish and PacMed remain in Regence network
Regence BlueShield and Providence Swedish and PacMed reached a contract agreement late Friday, March 28, 2025. Services provided by Providence Swedish and PacMed providers, clinics, and facilities will continue to be considered in-network by Regence. If you are enrolled in a Regence medical plan and you see a Providence Swedish or PacMed provider, there will be no disruption to your coverage or benefits.
For more information, see the Regence News post. If you have questions, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926 or contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits.
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Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, Jan. to Feb. 2025
Crossposted from Metro Matters
They are hikers and campers. Motorcycle riders and barbeque enthusiasts. They collect art and guitar pedals! Those who ride with them say “He always greets passengers and ensures they are in a safe position before he starts driving,” “You, kind Sir, brightened my day. A kind smile and a hello go such a long way,” and “Great driver, great smile. She made the whole trip excellent.”
They are operators with 150 years of professional driving experience! The operators on your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Read more.
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Shannon Braddock sworn in as acting King County Executive
Today, Shannon Braddock was sworn in as acting King County Executive after a unanimous vote by the County Council. King County voters will elect a new executive in November.
Braddock is the first woman to serve as King County Executive. She previously served as Deputy County Executive and has 15 years of local government experience.
“It’s an incredible honor to be acting King County Executive. I’m committed to providing strong and steady leadership for the people of King County and delivering the essential services communities rely on, from roads, parks and trails to public transit, health, safety and more,” said Executive Braddock. “Thank you to the County Council for entrusting me with the privilege of serving King County as acting Executive during this transition.”
“I look forward to continuing to partner with county leaders across the three branches of our government and working with our 39 cities, unincorporated areas, community partners, labor, business, other governments and Tribal nations,” Braddock added. Read more.
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Save an extra 20% on TurboTax Full Service through TicketsatWork
King County employees can save an extra 20% on TurboTax Full Service through TicketsatWork. Learn more and view full offer terms.
TicketsatWork is updated daily with seasonal offers and exclusive savings on everything from home entertainment to your everyday needs.
Visit ticketsatwork.com/tickets and use the company code KingCounty to begin receiving discounts and extra special offers on your go-to brands and most-loved experiences, including brand new offers on cruises, just in time for spring travel.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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It’s time to invite your favorite nonprofit!
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
Now is the perfect time to invite your favorite nonprofit to be a part of the King County Employee Giving Program!
Over the last 35 years, our list of nonprofits has grown from around ten to more than 1300, partly because of referrals from Employees. Read more.
