School-to-Work Program changes lives
If you ask what students with developmental disabilities need in order to achieve employment before leaving high school, what you will hear most often is “high expectations” and “work experience.” Ask what it takes for a program to make this happen for students countywide, and what you will hear is “collaboration.” But if you ask students what it takes, it might be about supporting them to reach for their dreams. Working with Washington State’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities Administration, school districts, consultants, employment service providers, businesses, families, and over 1,500… Read More
GPS locators coming to fleet vehicles
This fall, King County is installing Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, also known as the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) System, in most County vehicles. KCIT is overseeing implementation of this technology. AVL is designed to enhance internal services and public service delivery, as well as advance the Executive’s Best Run Government and Combating Climate Change initiatives. The AVL System will automate and expand data collection to drive decisions on issues such as right-sizing our fleet, minimizing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and helping us better manage field operations. Implementing this technology… Read More
Executive meets with employees working in science at latest Listening Session
King County has hundreds of employees working in the sciences on some of our region’s biggest challenges, from protecting fish habitat to helping people manage and overcome diseases, to keeping waterways clean, and King County Executive Dow Constantine recently met with six of them to learn more about their work and experiences. At his August 6 Employee Listening Session, Executive Constantine had a wide-ranging conversation with Lara Whitely Binder, Climate Preparedness Specialist from the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP); Ecotoxicologist Carly Greyell and Water Quality Planner Josh Kubo from Water… Read More
When you come to work, you want to be in a happy environment. This is what we help create!
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Happy place = happy at work If you’re like most working people, you spend enough time at your job that it’s like a second home. And most people would agree it’s nicer when your workplace is tidy – even beautiful. A pleasant work environment isn’t just a bonus or a “nice to have.” Studies show that a clean, nicely-maintained workplace is good for business. It’s safer and makes employees happy, healthy and more productive. It leaves a good first impression on customers – and is part of… Read More
King County’s South Treatment Plant celebrates perfection with prestigious environmental awards
The Washington State Department of Ecology honored King County’s South Treatment Plant with a coveted “Outstanding Performance Award” for operational excellence that resulted in perfect compliance with all permit conditions in 2017. South Plant is one of 111 wastewater treatment plants out of about 300 statewide that received the recognition. To earn the award, the plant had to operate around the clock for the entire year with no violations of any kind. In addition to meeting or exceeding effluent pollution removal requirements, the plant operations also flawlessly complied with monitoring and reporting… Read More
Social Media Spotlight: King County Environmental Lab on Instagram
Welcome to the King County Environmental Lab’s Instagram! This is the SoundGuardian, King County’s high-tech, fully equipped research vessel. If you visit the Ballard Locks on the right day, you might see it and the crew on their way to collect samples out in Puget Sound. (Photo: Vigor Ballard) King County Environmental Lab helps safeguard the region’s water quality, and the Environmental Lab’s research vessel SoundGuardian plays a significant role in that effort. SoundGuardian is currently deployed in the north Puget Sound area supporting the orca recovery efforts! Follow kcenvirolab on Instagram… Read More
It’s Electric! Brand new battery bus charger debuts as study touts climate, health benefits of electric transportation; King County Executive Constantine honored with award
Crossposted from Metro Matters By Jeff Switzer It’s another first at Metro and in the country: A fast-charging station for battery electric buses debuted at Bellevue Base this week, newly installed in a bay where buses are cleaned and fueled each day. Having a charging station installed above the service bay makes it unique in North America, according to electric battery bus manufacturer Proterra. The move makes for efficient and effective maintenance and recharging. It also replaces a slow-charge old-school plug that maintenance staff used to use to recharge battery electric buses…. Read More
School’s out and summer is in session, but let’s keep recycling!
Crossposted from GO, Green Team! Though summer is upon us and school is out, remember to keep up the good habits of being environmental stewards you’ve practiced during the school year. During the summer, you can focus your recycling, composting, and reducing at home. Donate any old clothing, including single socks and shoes that have lost their mates. Or use old clothes as cleaning rags. For more information, check out our Threadcycle In need of summer clothes or swim wear? Give clothes a second life, go to your local Goodwill and see… Read More
Environmental education programs and resources
King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks has made it easy for educators and students to find guidance on habitat, invasive plants, clean water projects and more in curricula that meet state and federal education requirements, that is customized for our Pacific Northwest environment, and that offers students ideas for future careers. The guides provided list resources that include curricula, transportation, in-class trainers, workshops, costs, presentations, camps, and grant and professional development opportunities. The Stormwater Runoff Education Resource Guides, the Green Schools Program, internships and more are in the Environmental Education… Read More
Social Media Spotlight: King County Environmental Lab Instagram
The kcenvirolab page highlights how King County is helping safeguard the region’s water quality green2.kingcounty.gov/marine/Photo Follow kcenvirolab on Instagram today. Click here to view all King County social media pages.
Employee News 