National magazine spotlights King County employee and journey to WTD lab
Suzanne Potts, a Laboratory Specialist in the Wastewater Treatment Division at South Plant, was recently featured in a profile piece in Treatment Plant Operator magazine. ‘Studying to be a dentist didn’t light a fire of enthusiasm for Suzanne Potts, but it did ignite her love of chemistry and the laboratory. She switched to environmental science. An associate degree in environmental science from University of Washington enabled Potts to work for an environmental analytical lab. When it closed in 1994, Potts found what she thought was a temporary job at the King County Wastewater Treatment Division South Plant in Renton, Washington. “What… Read More
We need a fair tax system
Executive Constantine lays out his vision for a fair, simple, stable tax system In a democracy, where the people are the sovereign, we collectively choose to raise the funds to collectively do things together that we can’t do alone. And together with our neighbors we decide whether to raise the funds to educate our children or to pave our roads or to keep our communities safe. I think we can all agree on this point. Taxes should be fair. Now, what is fair depends on where you stand, obviously, but I would… Read More
Public Health director Patty Hayes recognized in Seattle Met magazine
In Seattle Met magazine’s latest edition, Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle and King County, was recognized as one of “30 More Women Who Run This City” alongside Melinda Gates, Ana Mari Cauce, Jenny Durkan and U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The article states “Before Hayes received both statewide and national awards for her work in public health, she was a nurse. She’s now taking the helm on a work group to create King County’s first safe injection sites.” Read more at Seattle Met.
Celebrating Black History Month in King County for 2018
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February to be Black History Month in King County. “Black History Month is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States,” Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation. “I urge all County residents to join in this observance.” You can read the Executive’s full proclamation below.
Program building support, opportunity for Muslims and immigrants in our community
King County is committed to ensuring the safety and health of all its residents. This can be done in many different ways, including the recent partnership with the City of Seattle and the Seattle Foundation to provide critical services to immigrants and refugees. This partnership created funding for programs and services, titled the Resilience Fund, to help vulnerable residents whose health, safety and human rights are at risk. The purpose of the Resilience Fund is to support community-based nonprofits who want to address unanticipated and emerging challenges that impact immigrant and refugee communities… Read More
Seeking submissions: Love notes to King County’s natural resources
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green What connects us? The beauty of our region. And what better time to celebrate our region’s beautiful natural resources than on Valentine’s Day. King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks wants to learn what you love and appreciate about our region’s natural resources. We want to see your love notes to and about your favorite trail, hike, lake, river, natural area, scenic view or environmental action to take. Did you know that King County Parks has 200 parks, 215 miles of backcountry trails, 175 miles of regional trails,… Read More
Kudos! Factoria Redevelopment Project receives awards
The King County Solid Waste Division’s recently completed Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station redevelopment project has been honored with two awards that exemplify King County’s commitment to sustainable building. In late November 2017, the project receive the “Green Project of the Year Award” from the Northwest Construction Consumer Council, and in late January, the project received the “Environmental Silver Award” from the American Council of Engineering Companies. Judges cited the project’s commitment to sustainable design and construction, as well as the innovative use of recycled materials, enhanced recycling services for customers, and the projected LEED Gold… Read More
RASKC’s 2017 Year in Review
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Over the last few years Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has gone through several transformations, putting more emphasis than ever before on connecting with the community and improving quality of life for the animals in our care. By the end of 2016, RASKC had officially reached a 90% Live Release Rate (LRR), meaning nine out of ten animals that come through the door are adopted to new families or returned to their original owner. By the measure of many in the animal welfare field, this… Read More
Careers that matter: We’re accepting applications for paid summer internships through Feb. 25.
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories It’s never too early to make plans for summer break. This year, why not get paid to come and make clean water with us? WTD is now taking applications for our 2018 summer college internship program through Feb. 25. These aren’t the “get my coffee, do my filing” kind of internships, either. From construction management to communications and everything in-between, WTD’s paid internships offer hands-on professional experience and an opportunity to explore careers in the clean-water field. With the guidance of a mentor, you’ll work on real projects with real responsibilities, all while… Read More
Getting on the tech curve is a straight line to solutions
New online scheduling tool smooths out in-person visitation at Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) This article is shared from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention’s In Depth column and is featured courtesy of Linda Robson, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention. When we walked into the reception area at MRJC on a Thursday morning, the area that would have been bustling with people lining up for in-person visitation just a few days before was now as vacant as a ghost town, the blue-white glow from the video visitation kiosks… Read More
Employee News 