A job with a view
This article originally appeared in the Seattle Transit Blog. It features Link operator Kevin Gumke. In a tight workspace with barely enough room to turn around, light rail operators enjoy some of the most unusual views of Seattle from their cabs as they traverse the city. Like all Link operators, Kevin Gumke started out driving for King County Metro Transit, before transferring over to the light rail side in 2010. To qualify, bus drivers must have a squeaky-clean driving record and complete 8 weeks of paid training, starting with a week of classroom instruction. “It’s… Read More
King County Noxious Weed Program launches web pages in four languages!
Crossposted from Noxious Weeds Blog Want to learn more about noxious weeds in Spanish—or know someone who does? How about Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, or Somali? Well now, King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program has made a start to offer just that. This week, the program launched a revised and expanded version of its Spanish web page, along with four brand new web pages hosting noxious-weed-related resources in an array of languages. You can find these pages gathered under a new “Languages” landing page as well as linked directly in the right column of the noxious… Read More
eCourt: Case filing made easy
With over 200,000 case filings a year, King County District Court clerks processed 2,429,000 pieces of paper in one year alone using a 1980’s software system jokingly referred to as the ‘black screen of death’. In order to improve workflow efficiency, expedite cases and reduce their carbon footprint, District Court is launching eCourt, a new electronic case management system that offers new functionality County employees and residents will enjoy, electronic filing being one of them. “Not only the Court is reducing its carbon footprint, we’re helping other people reduce their carbon footprint on… Read More
King County Executive, Governor celebrate Colman Dock project and our future home
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog As crews continue to build King County Water Taxi’s future home, Executive Dow Constantine, Gov. Jay Inslee and other transportation leaders took time last week to celebrate the progress of the Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project. The Executive was one of the keynote speakers at a celebration inside Colman Dock, the state’s busiest terminal, which overlooks the site of the Water Taxi’s future Passenger Only Ferry (POF) facility. Executive Constantine – who has long made improving mobility throughout the region one of his priorities –… Read More
2017 Annual Giving Drive: Women
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving King County’s Employee Giving Program’s (EGP) Annual Giving Drive provides over 60 prescreened nonprofit organizations whose primary category of service is promoting equity, safe-space, and programs that are important to and for women. Last year, donations by King County employees doubled to this category of service. This response was a powerful example of the collective impact of individuals that can be made through the Employee Giving Program. Read more at KC Employee Giving
Social Media Spotlight: King County Elections Instagram
King County is the largest jurisdiction in the United States to conduct all elections by mail. The county has 1.28 million registered voters, a number that continues to grow each month. It is the 13th-most populated county in the country and home to one third of Washington’s voters. Follow King County Elections in Instagram today! Click here to view all King County social media pages.
Preparing for winter weather
Crossposted from Keeping Communities Connected It may only be early fall, but King County Roads knows that winter is coming. Every year county road crews prepare for the heavy rain, wind, and snow and ice that our region experiences. Preparations for snow and ice begin by determining the routes that will be plowed during a weather event. Routes are selected in partnership with nearby local jurisdictions, King County Metro, school districts and emergency services providers. The final routes are mapped and available on the Snow and Ice webpage. The county’s resources to plow… Read More
Halloween pet safety tips
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Halloween is “spook-tacular” for kids of all ages, but the holiday can be pretty scary for our pets. So, we’d like to remind pet owners of a few safety tips before the ghosts and goblins come begging on October 31. Never feed candy to your pet, especially chocolate. If you suspect your dog or cat has gotten into Halloween treats, contact your veterinarian right away. Costumes can be scary to some pets. If your pet is easily spooked by strangers or loud noises, consider keeping them safe… Read More
Funding recipients for the 2017-2018 ESJ Opportunity Fund announced
The ESJ Opportunity Fund is a competitive process overseen by the Office of Equity and Social Justice that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity and social justice and complement the ESJ Strategic Plan. This year 39 applications were received totaling over $290,000 in requests, with a 2017-2018 ESJ Opportunity Fund budget of $100,000. This was a highly competitive process that highlights the commitment across the County to equity and social justice work; commitment not only at the department and agency level but also of our… Read More
Employee models recovery to empower others
In celebration of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we share a story focusing on employment and behavioral health. Meet Mindy. Mindy is one of the newest King County employees within the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD). Mindy has a Master’s degree from Brigham Young University and has worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Harborview Medical Center. She is also someone with a chronic mental health condition who has participated in BHRD’s Supported Employment Program. “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at age eight. In college,… Read More
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