Prosecutor and District Court launch ESJ teams
Agencies across King County are stepping up to help implement the Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Strategic Plan. Most recently, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and District Court launched ESJ committees to further the goal of using ESJ values to guide King County’s operations, programs and service delivery. In February, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) formally launched its inaugural Equity and Social Justice Team. With representatives from all divisions, the team focuses on: Providing training opportunities and equity-related events Documenting and measuring the equity and social justice work already being done in the… Read More
Public Defense, Kent School District establish Criminal Justice high school course
A new, one-day civics course on the criminal justice system was introduced to high school seniors throughout the city of Kent last semester. The course was launched by the County’s Department of Public Defense Misdemeanor Practice Director Twyla Carter and the Kent School District. All five Kent high schools participated, including Kent-Meridian – Washington’s most diverse high school. “The first Civics Day events at all the high schools in the Kent School District was a huge success,” said Michael Papritz, Kentridge High School Social Studies teacher, co-curricular leader, and school district project… Read More
Another successful year for King County’s Annual Transition Resource Fairs
Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter The Department of Community and Humans Services’ Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) sponsored its 10th Annual Transition Resource Fairs on March 11 and March 14 this year. With growing turnout each year, the popular fairs provide information for youth with developmental disabilities and their families to help them prepare for the student’s successful transition from high school to adult living. The Transition Resource Fairs took place on March 11 at Highline College and March 14 at Microsoft, drawing more than 1,650 people out to the two events!… Read More
Why King County is leading with racial justice
Yesterday King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that King County is prioritizing racial justice in our work and the implementation of our Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Strategic Plan. We all benefit from having an equitable and just society where everyone has a fair shot at success and is able to contribute, where no one is held back because of the color of their skin. The Office of Equity and Social Justice has put together a short Q&A to answer some questions that you may have. Why is King County focusing on… Read More
Profiling amazing women working throughout King County: Diane Gimenez, Utility Laborer, King County Metro
Diane Gimenez, Utility Laborer, King County Metro How did you get your start in utilities? I started with Metro back in June 1995. When I started I was a maintenance worker, and then I moved to become a utility laborer in 1998. I took the job because it looked like it would be challenging. You were outdoors and I liked working outside. Then in 1998 I put in an application to get my CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). It was a good opportunity to move up and get another position within the County. Do… Read More
Getting creative: Local 17 supervisor uses visual mapping to engage employees in the decision-making process
This article original appeared in the PTE Local 17 Insight Magazine. We have been given approval from L17 to use this article. When Local 17 member Keith Siebler started working at the Auburn Public Health in King County nearly five years ago, he encountered a few conflict situations between employees. And while it’s not unusual for supervisors to manage conflict, Siebler wanted to come up with a creative and productive way to address some longstanding issues. As a Public Health Administrative Support Supervisor (PHASS), Siebler supervises Administrative Support staff and is in… Read More
A promising local solution to ensure a fair shot at local jobs
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids Blog Earlier this month, staff from King County’s Natural Resources and Parks were busy getting ready for the upcoming spring and summer season when Pacific Northwesterners experience our parks in full force. This time of year also marks hiring for important jobs to ensure our parks are ready for the season. This hiring event took place at the local community center in White Center. The event is part of a purposeful effort to address the growing disparities we see in our region between those that have opportunities to… Read More
Women’s History Month Celebration March 24
Please bring your lunch and join us in County Courthouse Room E-942 for our second annual “Women’s History Month Celebration.” This event is part of the Legislative Branch Equity and Social Justice Committee’s Lunch and Learn series, co-hosted by the King County Women’s Advisory Board. Friday, March 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m. King County Courthouse Room E-942 The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by Councilmember Kohl-Welles. Click here or on the image below for more details and information about the guest speakers. If you would like more information about this… Read More
Bus operator takes passengers on multi-lingual, multicultural experience
Bus driver Kathy Maddux cares about her riders. She wants them to enjoy the time on board her bus as they drive together around the city. In late December 2016 she used a car window marker to make them feel especially welcome, by writing write fun messages to her riders on the windows. Just an afterthought after finding the non-permanent marker in her daughter’s backpack, the messages Kathy wrote were simple and thoughtful. “The first day I did it, I wrote ‘Happy January’ facing the inside of the bus, and ‘Feliz Enero,’… Read More
Nominations needed for Administrative Professionals Day, April 26
The Administrative Professionals Recognition Program is seeking nominations to recognize employees who embody the attributes of excellence and innovation. For information about eligibility and to nominate an employee before Wednesday, April 26, visit the Administrative Professionals Program website. Also, save the date for the upcoming celebration to honor this year’s award recipients to be held Wednesday, April 26, 2017, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at King Street Center, 8th Floor Conference Center. If you would like more information about this event, contact Paige Myers at 206-477-4551 or paige.myers@kingcounty.gov.
Employee News 