Wear your t-shirt with PRIDE to the Parade June 26
This is the 2nd year that all of King County has marched together as One King County. Last year over 300 King County employees, their children, partners, dogs and even grandparents joined in the festivities. There will be a bus, and a boat, and music, and bubbles…you don’t want to miss this! Get in the mood with a fabulous t-shirt! There are two ways to get one: Order and pay for one by 6/15 (that way you ensure you get the right size and can match it with your ensemble). Be one… Read More
Improving hiring to reflect our community
The Department of Natural Resources and Parks Human Resources (DNRP HR) is looking for new ways to attract a diverse workforce that is more reflective of the King County community at large, and a new pilot project to address that issue is already paying off. A successful “Direct Hire Fair” on April 7, held at Renton WorkSource and sponsored by DNRP HR and its partners in the King County Employment and Education Resources (KCEER) Division, allowed DNRP divisions to interview job candidates on site. The innovative hiring fair resulted in 25 offers… Read More
Trade industries fair highlights the ‘other’ four-year college
For more than 35 years, the Women in Trades Fair has helped young women (and some young men) learn about career opportunities in diverse industries from transportation and utilities to maintenance, energy, and more. The event is held every spring at the Seattle Center, and is attended by more than 1,000 people. Over 80 exhibitors are featured at the fair, providing workshops, first-hand learning opportunities, career information and resources. Notable exhibitors have included Seattle Pipe Trades, Pacific Northwest Ironworkers, and last year’s first place exhibition winner, King County Wastewater Treatment Division. The… Read More
Apply for the 2016 Bridge Fellowship Program
Crossposted from the DES Express blog Applications open soon for the 2016 Bridge Fellowship Program: A Career Development Course for the Emerging Leader. The program is an opportunity for any employee to gain new skills and knowledge to assist in advancing your career at King County. Employees who participated in the 2015 King County employee engagement survey identified access to training opportunities and career growth as a key driver of their engagement, but less than half responded positively to having fair and equal access to career advance opportunities. The Bridge Fellowship Program… Read More
Bringing women to the forefront in technology
This article is featured courtesy of Jamie Holter, Communications Manager, Department of Information Technology In honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), meet Diana Chism, King County IT for Production Operations. She’s been working in IT with the County for 26 years, yet still considers herself growing and learning. She has advice for women entering the tech world. Sit AT the table! “When you are invited to a meeting, have a seat at the table, literally! Women tend to sit along the outside and give men the seat closest to the center… Read More
Spanish language classes create opportunity for connection
When the phone rings and the woman on the other end asks her question in hesitant English mixed with Spanish, she finds herself surprised that the King County employee responds to her in Spanish and directs her to a translator who can better assist. Such smooth and welcoming customer experiences might be all thanks to King County’s Language in Motion program. King County has partnered with Seattle Colleges to offer Introductory Spanish business language classes. The classes are aimed at getting frontline employees in agencies such as Elections and Records and Licensing,… Read More
First Poetry-Based Symposium on Race and Racism Elicits Thoughtful Questions and Answers
by Donna Miscolta, Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “I didn’t expect to feel so much.” This testament to the power of the spoken word was one of several offered by the audience at the first of four symposiums on “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation” on January 12. This project, innovative in its approach to an understanding of racism, is made possible by the King County ESJ Opportunity Fund. Two poets, Quenton Baker and Casandra Lopez, presented their work to a group of 50 employees. It… Read More
Disability doesn’t stop dancing employee
If you happen to see a man busting a move while cleaning up hedge trimmings or emptying a trash can at Marymoor Park, it’s probably Parks Specialist Dwight Lewis. Dwight has been with parks for 17 years and his enthusiasm for the work is showing no signs of waning. “He actually makes people on our crew want to be better at what they do,” Andy Boland, Parks Maintenance Coordinator, said. “He pushes us, he comes in with a lot of energy, positive attitude, and it’s really what we need; he’s a spark… Read More
Breaking down barriers with Supported Employment: Jodeen Wieser
Jodeen Wieser is a 20-year employee with King County’s Environmental Lab, a Lab Assistant who performs a wide range of essential tasks that help the Lab do its work of collecting, analyzing and monitoring samples that protect our local environment. Jodeen is also a supported employee through a King County program that pairs her with a job coach to help with learning new skills, communication and any other issues that arise. “When you meet someone with a disability that maybe is a different picture of what you thought someone was or what… Read More
Explore Race and Social Justice through Literature Out Loud
“We are human only if I see myself in you and if you see yourself in me.” These lines are from a poem called “Dialectic” by Quenton Baker, one of eight literary artists selected to present their work to King County employees in a series of symposia in 2016 called “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation.” The presentations offer King County employees the opportunity to explore equity and social justice issues through the personal and intimate art of “literature out loud.” Writers will read or perform their work… Read More
Employee News 