Shuyi Hu awarded the 2024 Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Award: People Leader
When a critical project to update King County’s court case management system faced a significant challenge, Shuyi Hu, Technology Division Director for the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) – Technology Services Division, stayed focused and kept the project moving. His determination, tenacity, innovative approach, and leadership skills contributed to Shuyi winning the 2024 Best-Run Government – Leadership Excellence Award – People Leader. The Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Awards recognize individuals who have made significant and tangible leadership contributions to developing Executive branch values in others, improving workplace culture, and leading organizational change… Read More
May 18-24 2025 is National Emergency Medical Services Week
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has declared May 18-24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week in King County. “This is in recognition of the value and the accomplishments of our emergency medical services personnel throughout our region,” she said. EMS Week is a time to honor emergency medicine’s frontline workers who provide lifesaving services in our community – day and night. Our own Medic One/EMS system in King County has been called “one of the world’s best” which can be directly attributed to the dedication and skill of the EMTs, paramedics and… Read More
Meet Wellness Hero Aaron Parker
Balanced You Wellness Heroes highlights employees doing things to better their lives, the lives of their colleagues, and our community. Meet Wellness Hero Aaron Parker, Director of Community Corrections Division, Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD). In this video, Aaron talks about his career and role at King County, the benefits of sports for youth mental health, and what he does outside of work including volunteering at the Seattle Central District Little League. They most recently had the opportunity to officially open the Mariners season!
All in for Road Services All Hands event
What happens when more than 300 Road Services Division employees get together to learn, connect, and recharge? They roll up their sleeves at the fourth annual All Hands event, held on May 7, 2025! With teambuilding as the theme, collaboration and connection were at the heart of every activity. The Road Services Division hosts this annual daylong event to offer employees valuable professional development opportunities, help them learn more about the wide range of King County benefits, and most importantly, foster greater collaboration and connection across the team. The event draws hundreds… Read More
DES well represented at Women in Trades Fair
Crossposted from DES Express The annual Women in Trades Fair is an opportunity for middle and high school students and others around the region to learn more about high-paying, skilled careers in the trades, from electrician and plumber to meat packer and security guard. There are hands-on demonstrations and tables with information. Lines formed to make a desk organizer with the King County Facilities Management Division (FMD), for which FMD won a second-place ribbon this year. Folks also stood in line to “shoot the (rubber) ducks” with a water sprayer and get a free… Read More
Celebration and support: DAJD’s Honor Guard reaches 25+ years of service
Crossposted from the DAJD newsletter Like their counterparts in other public safety agencies and the military, this tight-knit group provides official departmental representation at solemn events. They attend awards presentations, promotions, and retirements. Their job isn’t strictly ceremonial. Honor Guard members are often called upon to be there for peers and family members at the most difficult times. They stand by after coworkers have passed and pay respects to peer agencies after line-of-duty deaths. Read more.
Healing with heart: CCFJC’s exceptional healthcare team
Crossposted from the DAJD newsletter Running a healthcare clinic at a juvenile detention center involves far more than providing medical care — it’s about creating a space where young people in crisis can heal, receive support, and begin to rebuild their lives. Read more.
Steve Larsen receives 2024 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award
King County Executive Shannon Braddock announced the winners of the 2024 Best-Run Government Awards on May 8, with eight King County employees, leaders, and teams recognized for their outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation. The awards’ highest honor, the 2024 Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award, was presented to Steve Larsen, Deputy Director of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). The Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award is named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County. It is presented to a senior county… Read More
Balanced You Conversations: Sarah Wilhelm
Balanced You Conversations is a series of talks about important topics related to overall health and well-being. Karla Clark, Employee Health & Wellness Educator with the Balanced You team sits down with Sarah Wilhelm, Strategic Advisor for Public Health – Seattle & King County and Best Starts for Kids. They discuss how government and communities can work together using the Best Starts for Kids model to support youth mental health, and more. “Best Starts for Kids invests upstream, the idea of getting ahead. We invest in prevention strategies, so young people in… Read More
Thanking our employees during Public Service Recognition Week
This week, May 4 – 10, is Public Service Recognition Week, and we’re recognizing and celebrating all King County employees and the work you do for our county. “Public service is more than a job; it is a calling. It is a career that gives you the chance to make a real difference in the lives of people in your community and beyond,” King County Executive Shannon Braddock said. “It requires integrity, empathy, resilience, and a belief in something greater than oneself.” Public Service Recognition Week has been celebrated the first week… Read More
Employee News 