Get Ready for Wildfire Smoke Season
Dear employee, Summer has finally arrived and with it comes the risk that we will once again experience unhealthy levels of air quality due to wildfire smoke. Washington state has declared a state of drought and there have already been a record number of small wildfires across western Washington this year. As a result of climate change, we should be prepared for more frequent and larger wildfires during Pacific Northwest summers. Before the smoke arrives, take steps to protect your health from smoke at home and work. When air quality is at unhealthy… Read More
Volunteer in your community with King County
Did you know that King County has many unique volunteer opportunities ranging from animal services to tackling climate change, and much more? Not only that, many employees can use up to three days of sick leave to give back to those causes. Volunteering with King County is an opportunity to give back to causes right here in your community. Volunteer opportunities include planting trees as part of King County’s effort to plant 1 Million Trees by 2020 to reduce carbon pollution; volunteering with Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) or temporarily… Read More
New King County climate website
The Climate Action Team has recently updated the County’s climate change website! The website highlights what climate change is, how it affects our region, how individuals and communities can act on climate, and how King County is taking action. You can find useful information and materials on the Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), Partnerships and Collaborations, Initiatives and Programs, and transcreated climate infographics in Spanish, Samoan, Chinese, and Arabic. We have also launched a new public input tool for the 2020 SCAP update.
Summer is heating up – and so should your water safety planning
Crossposted from Public Health Insider According to climate scientists, chances are it’s going to be a hotter summer than typical across King County. Hot weather brings people out to our region’s lakes, rivers and salt water areas looking to cool off and have fun. But the more folks flock to beaches and rivers, the higher the likelihood that more people will drown, both fatally and non-fatally. There have been seven child and youth drowning deaths since 2015. In 2018, 16 people lost their lives on King County waters. The Insider sat down with Tony Gomez,… Read More
Featured Job: Transportation Planner III
Salary: $86,344.54 – $109,446.48 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DLS – Local Services Job Number: 2019MCK09868 Closing: 5/22/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Are you an energized and experienced planner with a strategic mindset? Do you value collaboration, communication and high performance planning outcomes? Do you enjoy leading interdisciplinary teams to the finish line? Are you interested in managing a diverse portfolio of analytic, project and program responsibilities? The King County Road Services Division of the Department of Local Services is recruiting for a Senior Planner to join… Read More
King County is the nation’s first local government to offer a certified carbon credit program that protects local forests
King County is the nation’s first local government to offer a certified carbon credit program that protects local forests. The county’s new Forest Carbon Program offers local companies the opportunity to offset a portion of their carbon emissions within King County where their employees and their families can explore and enjoy the protected forests in both urban and rural communities. “We are making it possible for local companies to help us protect forests, confront climate change, and promote healthy habitat right here where their employees live, work, and play,” said Executive Constantine. “Our first-of-its-kind… Read More
Executive Services uses All Hands to discuss values and priorities
Department of Executive Services (DES) employees got together last week to welcome new colleagues and learn more about King County’s priority initiatives at their sixth annual All-Hands Meetings. The All-Hands Meeting, held across a morning and afternoon session to facilitate as much participation as possible, was hosted at the Seattle Central Library’s auditorium in downtown Seattle. DES Director Caroline Whalen kicked off each session by welcoming members from the Fleet and Airport Divisions, who officially joined DES in January. Employees spent some time learning about some of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s… Read More
2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan Update – Staff Kickoff Lunch and Learn
All staff are invited to learn about King County’s commitment to confront climate change and understand how to contribute to a major update to the County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) that will start in 2019. The SCAP is King County’s five-year blueprint for County action to confront climate change, integrating climate change considerations into all areas of County operations and our work with communities. Based on high demand, we’ve added a final lunch and learn session in March to outline the SCAP update process and share how staff can engage and contribute ideas…. Read More
Rev Up For Retirement seminar, March 13
Are you too young to think about retirement? Think again! This retirement overview is for anyone who thinks they may retire in the next few years. With increasing concern over the future of Social Security and the stability of retirement plans, it’s a good idea to stay informed and prepare in advance. Join us for a three-hour seminar. Topics include pensions, Medicare, and the current retirement climate and projections for the future. Plus, we’ll share resources available to you through King County. The seminar will take place Wednesday, March 13 from 11 a.m…. Read More
DNRP employee Kelly Heintz receives prestigious land conservation award
Kelly Heintz, a Natural Lands Planner with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, was recently honored at the annual Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (MTSGT) Celebration Dinner as a long-time partner and advocate for public lands, conservation, and recreation in the region. The MTSGT leads and inspires action to conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature. The Jim Ellis Spirit Award recognizes Kelly for her work as a dedicated and effective open space and… Read More
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