Get to know the Voluntary Separation Program
During challenging budgetary times, King County’s Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) allows approved agencies to offer retirement-eligible regular employees a financial incentive of $20,540 to leave County employment in a mutually beneficial agreement. Currently, there are a few agencies that have been approved to offer the program for a limited time in 2020. In order to be eligible for the program, an employee must: Have at least five years of continual current County service, Not be a temporary employee, and Be eligible to apply for a pension from the Law Enforcement Officers and… Read More
Providing guidance during an unprecedented pandemic
King County Emergency Management (OEM) is like an orchestra, with a conductor directing the work of many virtuosos. Their work is helping us carefully move forward in Washington’s Safe Start plan, so we can all get back to our favorite tunes. Stand together, six feet apart. Learn more in the video below and visit the OEM website here.
Retirement educators innovate to meet demand during coronavirus
The coronavirus is fundamentally changing the way millions of people live and work. Facing the challenges of the new workplace landscape, King County retirement educators Carmen Johnson and Matt Munson have made innovative adjustments to better meet the needs of employees looking toward retirement. Carmen and Matt, members of the Benefit Engagement Team supervised by Brian Czerwinski, began modifying their retirement classes, Road to Retirement and Rev Up for Retirement, so they could be offered to employees who are telecommuting or working different schedules. “We identified a set of urgent challenges facing… Read More
Video: July 24, 2020 Update on COVID-19 in King County with Dr. Jeff Duchin
Crossposted from Public Health Inisider On July 24th, 2020, Dr. Jeff Duchin gave an update on the COVID-19 outbreak in King County as the current seven-day average of new cases reached the highest level since the beginning of April. Dr. Duchin addressed the importance of minimizing the number of close contacts people have outside the house and emphasized the need for making long-term behavior changes. Read more.
Airport staff pitch in at Emergency Operations Center during pandemic
Crossposted from the DES Express Kevin Nuechterlein, Capital Project Manager, and Matt Sykora, Properties and Business Development Administrator, are both back at the airport after having served as part of the Donations Management Team at King County Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nuechterlein was part of the first small group of employees who, under Senior Emergency Management Program Manager Janice Rahman’s leadership, worked with KCIT in March to develop a web-based platform to match donors with those who needed personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer or other items. Read more.
Reminder for employees to wear cloth face masks
As King County continues its work to slow the spread of COVID-19, all Executive Branch employees must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths if they are likely to be in contact with another individual and distancing of six feet is not able to be maintained, per the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. The only exceptions are: Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering; Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part… Read More
Extension of mandatory telecommuting through Jan. 8, 2021
Dear fellow King County employee, On Feb. 29, 2020, the nation’s first death from novel coronavirus was reported here in King County. Since then, we have had to radically change our way of life and the way we work to slow the spread of COVID-19. By maintaining social distancing, changing the way we deliver services, telecommuting wherever possible, implementing measures to keep front line staff safer, practicing good hygiene, and wearing cloth face masks, we have helped to slow the spread of the virus and save countless lives. However, we need to… Read More
Public Health supports decisions by schools to begin school year with online learning
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Public Health – Seattle & King County supports school districts across King County that have made the tough decision to begin the school year with online learning. The current level of COVID-19 transmission in King County is of serious concern. The increase in COVID-19 cases is continuing with an average of 157 cases per day over the last week, up from 36 cases per day reported in early June. This is the highest volume of cases reported since early April. Read more.
2020 State of the County address
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I released my annual State of the County address – from my home in West Seattle. I discussed King County’s historic challenges and changes, and announced new actions in human services, the criminal legal system, and the environment. In my address, I announced that I intend to propose maintaining the nearly 1/3 reduction in adult detention we have achieved during the COVID-19 crisis, and beginning a phased closing of the King County Correctional Center after the pandemic. And, with youth detention numbers at record lows, I will… Read More
Balanced You financial resource for King County employees facing layoff
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an unprecedented toll on our economy, resulting in layoffs across many industries and organizations, including local governments. In the event you are facing layoff, or are concerned about potential lay-off, Balanced You has developed the following list of financial wellness resources to support you during this difficult time. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information. Throughout this pandemic, Balanced You has been inspired by each of you and is grateful to everyone at King County. If you are facing lay-off, please remember these decisions are not a reflection… Read More
Employee News 