Administrative professional recognitions now available for January through June 2024
The Administrative Professionals Program is excited to announce the Administrative Professional Recognitions for the first and second quarter of 2024, from January through June. These 27 individuals have been recognized for their excellence as administrative professionals at King County. View the recognitions here.
The list includes: Allison Pierce, Amanda Knell, Amiee McCrea, Angela Simmons, Audrey Johnson, Betty Jimerson, Channy Koing, Chris Stein, David Matsumoto, Dorcas Olegario, Elaine Edwards, Jennifer Blackstone, Judi Hendrickson, Julie Chung, Katerina (Katie) Kovalchuk, Kelly Uyehara, Krystal Heflin, Lauren Bagby, Linda Eaves, Marla Erickson, Marni Donnely, Maureen Dahlstrom, Renee Jacklin-Pool, Roger Bruckshen, Rona Baker, Sala Louie, and Wendy Oshima.
Thank you to the Administrative Specialists, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and others who keep King County operating. Please consider taking a moment to recognize an Administrative Professional on your team, so we can give them a shoutout in the upcoming quarter. For more information about the Administrative Professionals Program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
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Deputy Hodge embodies the Mariners Way
The King County Sheriff’s Office was delighted to witness Deputy Marty Hodge being publicly recognized at a recent Mariners game with his name illuminated on the big screen.
Deputy Hodge dedicated 21 years to service in the United States Army as a Master Sergeant in special forces, notably contributing to the first Iraq war and operation Enduring Freedom.
Following his military tenure, Deputy Hodge transitioned to a role at the King County Sheriff’s Office, where he has diligently served as a deputy for the past 22 years.
Deputy Hodge initially commenced off-duty work for the Mariners in 2009 and assumed the role of the visitors’ dugout Officer in 2019.
Beyond fulfilling security responsibilities for the players, employees, and fans, Deputy Hodge consistently exemplifies the “Mariners Way” through his amicable interaction with all fans and his deep-rooted affinity for the Mariners and baseball.
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Vote by Aug. 6 and wear your I Voted sticker with pride
Tuesday, Aug. 6 is Election Day for the August Primary. This is your opportunity to help your favorite candidate make it to the General Election.
The best way to return your ballot this close to Election Day is by using an official ballot drop box. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on Aug. 6 so don’t delay, return your ballot today.
King County Elections will also have Vote Centers open this weekend for those who still need to register to vote, get a replacement ballot, or use an accessible voting device.
After you’ve voted, wear your brand new I Voted sticker and snap your #VotingSelfie. This is the first time in 15 years that King County has provided an I Voted sticker with every ballot. Wear yours with pride and let your friends and family know that theirs is waiting for them – all they need to do is vote!
For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.
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Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, May-June 2024
Crossposted from Metro Matters
They read, travel, garden and work around their homes. They are bike riders—both motor and stationary. They enjoy making jams and jellies. They are even former clog dancers!
They are operators with two centuries of 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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Coming this fall: New RapidRide G Line and more Metro bus service
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro is increasing transit service this fall, including adding over 3,700 new bus trips each week, launching the RapidRide G Line in Seattle, connecting buses to new Sound Transit light rail stations, and expanding Metro Flex to Northshore.
Starting Sept. 14, King County Metro is expanding evening and weekend transit service, and launching its eighth RapidRide – the G Line – which will provide fast and frequent service through downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley. Read more.
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Employee discounts available for Washington State Fair
Employees can save on tickets to the 2024 Washington State Fair, Aug. 30 – Sept. 22. To purchase your discount tickets:
- Visit thefair.com/corporate
- Click the “Buy Tickets” button
- Enter access password: king24
- Under “Corporate Perks – 2024” click “Buy Tickets” for Admission & Ride deals.
See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Meet King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban
Crossposted from King County Local
Eric Urban isn’t new when it comes to fire safety in the Puget Sound area, but he is relishing (and keeping busy) in his new role as King County Fire Marshal.
Eric was appointed to the position earlier this year, following Chris Ricketts’ retirement. Eric’s appointment came after he served more than a year as Deputy Fire Marshal for King County. Read more.
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Deadline to complete dependent eligibility verification extended to Aug. 12
To ensure that all employees have the opportunity to complete the dependent eligibility verification process so that their family members can continue their coverage on their King County medical, dental, or vision plan, the deadline has been extended to Aug. 12, 2024.
If you haven’t completed the process, please use this two-week grace period to verify the eligibility of each person enrolled to make sure they do not lose coverage on Sept. 30, 2024. If you have coverage questions, please contact King County Benefits.
Using the Audit ID sent to you by Mercer, access the Mercer Secure Website to check your verification progress, view the list of documents needed for each of your family members, and submit documents. If you can’t find your Audit ID, please call Mercer at 866-703-3763. You can also mail paper copies of your documents to: Dependent Eligibility Verification, P.O. Box 14585, Des Moines, IA 50306-3585. Be sure to block out personal financial data and Social Security numbers before submitting documents.
Note: During the grace period, Mercer reminders will be sent from a different mercer.com email address.
More information:
- Dependent Eligibility Verification FAQ
- Dependent Eligibility Verification Website Demo
- Overview video: in English, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Ukrainian, or Vietnamese
- Contact Mercer at 866-703-3763.
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King County launches first extreme heat strategy to prepare region for more intense heat waves caused by climate change
King County and local partners recently announced a new countywide strategy to prepare for and respond to the impacts of extreme heat.
Development of the Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy began two years ago following the unprecedented heat wave in 2021 that killed over 30 people in King County, marking the deadliest climate-related disaster in the region’s history.
The strategy includes 20 immediate and long-term actions that range from increasing urban tree canopy and expanding access to parks and green space, to creating community cooling locations, making schools more resilient to heat, updating building codes and more.
“It has been just three years since the Pacific Northwest experienced the deadly Heat Dome, a disaster made 150 times more likely because of climate change,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. Read more.
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Records management reminder: Every County employee has a responsibility to manage records
As government employees, managing records is a job requirement for each of us. It is not just a role assigned to admin folks; it’s a part of all jobs, including those at every level of county government.
If you are curious about what those basic responsibilities are, we encourage you to take the Basic Records Management online training. The online class takes just 15 minutes to complete, can be taken anywhere with internet access, and can be retaken at any time. Learn more here in this document, Key Takeaways – Basic Records Management.
For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The Records Management Program, in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to state and local legal requirements and best practices.
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