Sprouting equity-driven ecology through education: One noxious weed at a time
From the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group “I have a passion for humans but always envisioned myself working with the natural world. This makes me feel like I can accomplish both” says Skye Pelliccia (she/her/ella), about her role as an Education Consultant for King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program. When speaking with Skye, who identifies as a mix of Thai, Native American, and Ashkenazi Jewish descent, her enthusiasm about noxious weeds, the ecosystem, and ways to apply an equitable lens to this field of work inspires one to learn how to protect… Read More
Wastewater becomes a resource for growing food with help from a treatment plant
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories CitySoil Farm was started in 2008 as a demonstration site to show the benefits of turning wastewater into valuable resources such as recycled water and biosolids that can be used as fertilizer. After 12 years, it has become a 1.5-acre city farm that not only produces food for the community, but also has outdoor classrooms, an orchard, and multiple learning spaces. Read more.
King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Operator-in-Training program recognized for national award
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognized King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Operator-in-Training program as a 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award winner for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more. Program now accepting applications The Operator-in-Training program is now accepting applications. There is no experience necessary for this paid, on-the-job training. Visit the Operator in Training website for more information.
Rescue training: Ice, ice, baby
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s newsletter Recently, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Marine Rescue Dive Unit (MRDU) participated in a joint training day with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Dive unit. The training was specific to Ice Rescue and Ice Diving operations and took place at Fish Lake in Chelan County. Outside temperatures during the day were in the twenties, water temperature was 34 degrees Fahrenheit and safety was the biggest aspect of this training. Ice thickness was up to 12 inches in places and conditions were very cold. In spite of the frozen training… Read More
Safety Tip: Latest security updates
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. This video covers the latest updates to King County security programs as well as resources and information. Check out the video and view other safety videos on the Future of Work Personal Safety at Work intranet page (employees only). For more information on employee safety programs, visit the Safety at Work page.
Raptor rescued and relocated
Reposted from Plane Talk Thanks to George Pierce, airport operations specialist at King County International Airport (KCIA), and Scott Gilbert, a wildlife biologist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an adult Red-tailed hawk has been relocated safely from the airport to a rural environment. Part of Pierce’s job is to patrol the airport and help keep wildlife away, preventing bird strikes and other safety issues. “We had a resident bird that was encroaching closer and closer into the active airspace,” Pierce said. “This hawk, it’s getting too comfortable out here. I was… Read More
Executive Constantine launches Re+, reinventing the region’s waste system to cut carbon emissions, transition to a sustainable economy
King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted. Re+ will advance a goal in King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to cut countywide greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the decade. To watch the video and read more. click here.
Nominations are now open for the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards
The Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards recognize individual employees and workgroups whose innovations and improvements are delivering excellence for our customers, our organization, and our region. This year, the awards will honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity in the past 12 months. There are three award categories: Innovation Awards: People, Cost, Service, Equity and Social Justice, Climate and Environmental Stewardship Leadership Excellence Awards: People Leader, Individual Contributor, Fred Jarrett Award Road to Excellence Awards: Divisions that achieve Stabilization Level or higher on all categories of the Lean Maturity… Read More
Safety tip: Responding to a theft or attempted theft
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. This video gives tips on how to respond to a theft or attempted theft, and to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. To report a non-emergency incident, contact FMD Security at 206-296-5000, email FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov, or file an incident report at www.kingcounty.gov/IncidentReport. Check out the video and watch for additional videos with safety tips this year. For more information on employee safety… Read More
Progress from the foothills of the Cascades to the shorelines of Puget Sound in 2022
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green King County employees and partners achieved environmental successes throughout King County in 2022, in cities, unincorporated communities, and natural areas from the foothills of the Cascades to the shorelines of Puget Sound. It’s the year we clearly demonstrated what we can achieve when we fully apply the principles of Clean Water Healthy Habitat, unifying our work across divisions and initiatives to achieve better results faster for people, fish, and wildlife. Read more.
Employee News 