Deputies’ actions come to the aid of a mother and children in need
The work at King County is guided by our True North and values. We do this to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our values define the way we act, what’s important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another. King county employees not only embody these values in their day-to-day work but when their efforts directly create a positive impact on community members, it merits acknowledgment.
On the night of November 3rd, Deputy Clark “Trey” Matthews, Deputy Seth Grant, and Sergeant Hiram Grijalva responded to a call for service at the International District Light Rail Station. When there, they were approached by security who advised them there was a female with four young children who were cold and had found themselves homeless.
The responding deputies made numerous calls to resources and shelter options but hit a wall when none were able to help. With no other options available to keep the family from sleeping outside in the cold, the team made the decision to use their own money to get the family a room at a hotel in SeaTac until the family could find assistance.
In King County people, including families with children, experience homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness and it is critical to find housing stability and individual safety in a timely manner. The deputies, guided by our True North and values, came together to help a mother and her children in need. They didn’t do this for the praise, but for what was right in the moment.
Ensuring the safety of people in King County is the King County Sheriff’s Office top priority. Deputy Matthews, Deputy Grant, and Sergeant Grijalva did just that and came together to help a mother and her children. Thank you for responding with leadership, integrity, service, and teamwork.
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King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Inappropriate Conduct Policy
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer
At King County our work is guided by our True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – and our values. Our True North and values represent what is important to us as an organization, what we stand for, and the way we act.
The way we treat one another and the way we expect to be treated are critical in building a workplace culture based on respect, belonging, and inclusivity. There is no room for any type of harassment or discrimination in this culture and King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy sets out our expectations and responsibilities in the workplace.
The policy sets out the conduct and behaviors that are prohibited at King County. It also outlines how to report incidents, all employees’ responsibilities, and the consequences of non-compliance. You can refamiliarize yourself with the policy here.
If you have not yet taken the required Harassment Prevention for Employees training, or aren’t sure if you have completed it, you can see your completed trainings in your KCeLearning NEOGOV Learn Dashboard. Just click on Training and then View Course Transcript, and if you still need to complete the training you will find a direct link to the course under your Tasks. For those who don’t have regular computer access at work, an alternative form of the training will be made available. Your department HR Manager can tell you more about this.
You will be paid for your time taking this training and supervisors will work to fit it into your schedule. Please talk to your supervisor or HR Manager if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping us create a workplace built on respect, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
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2024 MLK calendars available to order
The 2024 MLK Jr. calendar, designed by artist Rey Daoed, is now available for King County employees to order.
We have developed a more streamlined process for the distribution of the annual calendars. All orders will need to be submitted via the order form by Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
Listed below are the guidelines for submitting orders:
- Only one order per section is allowed. Please identify one person in your section/department to coordinate and submit your order.
- Minimum order is 50 calendars and increased in increments of 50 (50, 100, 150, 200, etc.).
- We will not be accepting individual orders and you will need to coordinate with your section/departments contact person.
- If you do not have a Mailstop, then you will need to arrange a time to pick up your order from Chinook.
Artist Bio: Rey Daoed is diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech. Typing, handwriting, and text-to-speech apps are his preferred method of communication. Rey began painting in 2015, and the medium soon became an important secondary means of communication for him. Rey’s award-winning work has been featured in group exhibitions both locally and abroad.
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RSVP now: 2024 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration
Updated Dec. 28, 2023, with RSVP information.
King County employees are invited to join in honoring human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual celebration on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
The theme for the celebration is “Passing the torch and continuing the journey,” along with the guiding quote “The task is not done. The journey is not complete. We can and we must do more.” – Martin Luther King III.
There will be artistic performances from Jeffrey Lewis, Jamaar Smiley, Brohamm, and Massive Monkees. The keynote address will be given by Jayda Gray, a graduate from the Institute of Community Leadership.
The celebration will be held on Thursday, Jan. 11, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Benaroya Hall in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.
- RSVP here. Tickets are for employees only and limited to 500 attendees.
You can also view the event at:
- Event website and livestream
- Comcast Channel 22 and 322 (HD)
- Wave Broadband Channel 22
For more information, contact Jasmine Harbor at jaharbor@kingcounty.gov or Michael Padilla Ocampo at MPadillaOcampo@kingcounty.gov.
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Congratulations Hazardous Waste
Cross-posted from WLRD News
Congratulations to the Hazardous Waste Program for being named an EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year for the seventh consecutive year. This national award recognizes individuals, businesses, and other entities that identify cleaning and chemical products to be healthier for people and the environment.
The Program advocates for upstream strategies to eliminate harmful chemicals at their source, rather than requiring homeowners and the public sector to dispose and/or treat them. Two examples: the presence of “forever” chemicals (for example, PFAS), in everyday products used in packaging, cosmetics, cookware, upholstery cleaners, rain-resistant gear; and the presence of 6PPD-Q in tires that, as they wear down, gets into stormwater and kills salmon before they can spawn.
The program’s efforts to institute extended producer reasonability is similar to making polluters pay for legacy contamination (such as the Duwamish river) but is focused on holding the manufacturers of today responsible for end-of-life management of products and packaging, which creates incentives for producers to incorporate environmental considerations into the design of their products and packaging.
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30 years at King County: A love story
By Katie Hayhurst
In 1993, Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) employees Greg Rabourn and Mary Rabourn (née Pehl) began working as Special Waste Technicians in the Solid Waste Division. Little did they know it was also the start of a beautiful relationship.
This couple’s “meet-cute” involved 900 acres of squishy garbage at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. Greg started working one month before Mary was hired and agreed to take the new person out for a tour of the landfill.
Mary recalled the scene as semi-trailers slowly shuffling 40 yards of trash out while seagulls screamed. The 13-foot dozer would drive over and squash the trash spraying 30-foot rainbow showers of soda. There was the indescribable yet distinctive aroma of garbage.
And there was Greg – enthusiastic and excited to show Mary this new world. But Mary had to stop Greg’s energetic description of the garbage world with an awkward but important message. “You have a maxi pad stuck to your boot,” Mary said. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Where are they now?
Greg works as the Basin Steward for Vashon-Maury Island where he identifies, prioritizes, implements, and finds funding for salmon recovery projects on Vashon-Maury Island. Mary is currently the Communications Specialist for Stormwater Services. Mary shared that working in community engagement is what she really enjoys as someone with a mixed-race, multicultural background.
“Overall, our jobs have been really awesome because we see where policy and practice hit communities directly,” said Mary.
Greg describes working in public service as challenging yet very meaningful and rewarding. He loves seeing on-the-ground changes that make a difference to communities and wildlife. He especially appreciates the depth of knowledge from his colleagues.
“Any topic you want to dive into, there is almost always someone at King County who can find you answers,” said Greg.
As a naturalized citizen, Mary values her community engagement role. She feels a responsibility to make things more accessible and permeable to everyone – especially people that are underrepresented.
“That’s why I really love working with our regional teams because they get that,” said Mary.
“We research and really try to understand our audiences. We found that the Latinx audience is super into climate action – we don’t have to convince them. It’s the same with Black or Brown audiences. They already get it. Let’s get them on board.”
Advice for those just starting in their careers
As Greg looks back on his career, his advice for someone just starting at King County is to branch out, get to know your colleagues, and get involved in your union! He has benefitted from leaders that allowed him to mold and expand with the freedom to do things in different ways. Something that is easy to take for granted but has a huge payoff.
“Most of the positions I’ve held at King County have been my dream job at the time. Then I find another one and it has been an even better dream job. It has been very rewarding,” he reflected.
Mary encourages new or younger employees, especially people of color coming to work at King County to value what they bring.
“They are bringing in a new perspective, new expectations, and new sensitivities that they don’t realize hold such richness and can influence innovation and new ideas,” she said. “It is so important to ask – wait, why do we do it that way?”
Grateful for each other
Greg shared two things from his relationship with Mary that has helped him in life as well as in work. The first theme is that 1+1=3.
“The sum of us together is always greater than that of us individually,” Greg explained.
The other is a life practice that Mary instilled in him: always show up for people when they are in need.
“Sometimes it’s easy in our busy lives not to do that but Mary has helped me become a better person in that way and I appreciate that.”
Mary described Greg as a great “test subject” for social change. Watching him expand his vision of how others move through our societal systems has expanded Mary’s ability to explain challenging topics to people with different experiences.
“In the end we are going to leave our jobs and wonder what kind of footprint or legacy we left. In Greg’s case, he will have tangible, open space that he can point to that benefits the environment, endangered species, and climate change. My work is on the intangible side. I hope that a lot of the experience that folks have gained throughout projects further public engagement and entrusting communities.”
Katie Hayhurst was a summer communications intern with the DNRP’s Water and Land Resources Division. Katie is in her senior year at the University of Puget Sound, where she is pursuing degrees in Business Administration and Communication Studies.
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Kudos! Who says we’re siloed?
Cross-posted from WRLD News
During a recent site visit on Bear Creek, Senior Ecologist Jen Vanderhoof was thrilled to see dozens of big, beautiful Chinook salmon in the creek near the reach known as Little Bit/Klapp. But as quickly as her heart soared it sank when she saw many of the salmon getting trapped and dying in a thicket of reed canary grass surrounding a beaver dam. Jen immediately did what she could to help the salmon on site and then emailed several colleagues King County’s Water and Land Resources Division (WRLD) to request help. Jen stressed that the fish were dying and required immediate action.
Fish Passage Restoration Program manager Evan Lewis volunteered to go out the next morning with Jen to manually trim the grass. Evan and Jen were immediately rewarded seeing salmon find water instead of weeds as seen in this video.
Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz, Salmon Recovery Manager for the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA8), alerted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and connected them with County staff. As the Salmon Recovery manager for the area where the problem was occurring, Jason reached out to WDFW since they are a co-manager and this would technically be there jurisdiction. However, the team was able to be on the ground immediately to address the problem rather than wait for a coordinated response.
Though further conversations and investigations are planned. Kudos to Jen, Evan and Jason for their quick, coordinated response to save salmon.
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Spend your remaining 2023 FSA funds
Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? To check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA, go to Navia Benefits and sign in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2023, and submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2024. Please see details below.
Health Care FSAs
- The Health Care FSA allows you to carry over up to $610 of unused funds from your 2023 Health Care FSA for use in 2024. You do not have to be enrolled in an FSA next year to access these funds. Any other remaining funds are forfeited.
- You can use your Health Care FSA funds to pay for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse or eligible domestic partner, and your dependents.
- Health Care FSA funds can be used to pay for orthodontia, laser eye surgery, eyeglasses, and over-the-counter medications and supplies, including menstrual care products. They can also be used for eligible ergonomic office equipment when you obtain a letter of medical necessity from your doctor.
- See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.
Day Care FSAs
- The Day Care FSA does NOT have a carryover feature. All unused funds are forfeited.
- Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time.
- Day Care FSA funds can also be used to pay eligible family members to watch your children, as long as the family member is not your tax dependent (your spouse, the parent of the child, your dependent, or your child under the age of 19).
- Online or virtual day cares and camps are not eligible for reimbursement with Day Care FSAs, according to IRS regulations.
- See the complete list of Day Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses.
If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia at 425-452-3500 or Navia Benefits.
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King County Security Tips: How secure is your mobile device?
Most of us have a smartphone, but how many of us really think about the security threats faced by these mobile devices? Mobile devices are vulnerable to many different types of threats. The bad players are increasing attacks on mobile devices and targeting your phone using malicious applications. Using these methods, they can steal personal and business information without you having any idea what’s going on.
Even if you’ve downloaded a security or antivirus application, securing your smartphone goes beyond these services. Improving your mobile security practices is your best defense against the privacy and security issues associated with your mobile device.
How can I improve my mobile security practices? Always remember these best practices to minimize the risk of exploits to your mobile devices:
- Ensure your phone’s operating system is always up to date. Operating systems are often updated in order to fix security flaws. Many malicious threats are caused by security flaws that remain unfixed due to an out of date operating system.
- Watch out for malicious apps in your app store. Official app stores regularly remove applications containing malware, but sometimes these dangerous apps slip past and can be downloaded by unsuspecting users. Do your research, read reviews and pay attention to the number of downloads it has. Never download applications from sources other than official app stores.
- Ensure applications are not asking for access to things on your phone that are irrelevant to their function. Applications usually ask for a list of permissions to files, folders, other applications, and data before they’re downloaded. Don’t blindly approve these permissions. If the permission requests seem unnecessary, look for an alternative application in your app store.
- No password or weak password protection. Many people still don’t use a password to lock their phone. If your device is lost or stolen, thieves will have easy access to all of the information stored on your phone.
- Be careful with public WiFi. The bad guys use technology that lets them see what you’re doing. Avoid logging in to your online services or performing any sensitive transactions (such as banking) over public WiFi.
If you have questions, please contact kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.
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Five questions with Tim Hams, Employee Transportation Program Manager
Whether it’s by bike, bus, or boat, the King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) helps get you to and from work with a variety of resources while saving you money with your employee ID/ORCA card.
KCEmployees.com recently spoke to Tim Hams, the new ETP Manager and asked five questions to get to know him a little better.
What is your role at King County and when did you start?
Employee Transportation Program (ETP) Manager, effective September 30, 2023. I supported ETP for a couple years with the prior ETP Manager before his retirement earlier this year.
My five-year Metro anniversary is in January 2024.
What is your background in supported employment?
I have a long history working in customer service and started working for Metro as part of the Customer Information Office where I supported Metro customers over the phone, through email, and via social media channels. Soon after, I joined the ORCA Business Program and then the TDM team where I worked with employers, city jurisdictions, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to build larger programs and campaigns to expand Metro services and remove obstacles to riding transit. I have been fortunate to support the ETP program for a couple years now and look forward to growing the program to better serve our employees.
What will you be responsible for in your new role?
Managing KC employee transportation benefits including ORCA Passport (covers fares on buses, commuter train, light rail, streetcar, monorail, foot ferries, water taxi, and flexible services), Vanpool subsidy, commuter incentives, Home Free Guarantee, pilot programs, and more. I am here to educate, advocate, and support employees with their transportation and mobility needs as part of their King County benefits package.
What is the biggest challenge in the role?
Reaching employees in this hybrid work environment and welcoming them back onto transit for not only commute trips, but also for personal use outside of work. Education and awareness of transportation benefits is a big step towards getting folks out of single-occupancy vehicle commute trips.
What do you most hope to achieve in the role?
I’d like to see more folks try public transit for their commute and understand the advantages that it can offer. It’s not only a great benefit that King County provides at no cost to the employee, but it can also be beneficial to your health, the environment, cost and time savings, and a relaxing way to get around without the hassle of parking and sitting in traffic.
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