KCVP staff receives shout-out at Seattle Mariners game 

Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter  Throughout the season, the Seattle Mariners recognize some of the brave men and women of the United States Military (active, reserve, veteran or retired) at each Friday and Sunday home game as part of their Salute to Those Who Serve program. On June 11 Michelle Bregel from our King County Veterans Program – Seattle office was recognized by the Seattle Mariners for her military service and continued service to the veterans of King County. Michelle served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Security Police, from 1991-1997. She also… Read More

Kudos to Superior Courthouse employees for making jury duty a breeze!

PTE17 includes Administrative Professionals event in magazine 

Local 17 featured the April Administrative Professionals Recognition event in a recent issue of its Insight publication, highlighting notable participants, speakers and the importance of honoring administrative employees for their work. It shares: “Based on feedback received from attendees and award recipients, the engaging event helps Administrative Professionals feel honored, valued and appreciated. It also reaffirms that King County is a wonderful place to work.” The Administrative Professionals Program and Career Support Services were also both featured in the June 21 Metropolitan King County Council: Annual Labor Summit. To read the full PTE17 article, click here, page 8. To learn more about… Read More

ACEs work featured in regional publication 

The Community Health Services Division “ACEs Collaborative” group is featured in the current issue of “Northwest Public Health,” published by the University of Washington’s Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, and refers to an influential study on the impacts of childhood trauma on lifelong health. From the ACEs study, a body of learning has emerged nationally that challenges agencies and organizations to understand the impacts of trauma and help build resiliency. The article, entitled “Hope and Healing: Training a Workforce to Better Support Health,” describes the staff-led work of the Collaborative over the… Read More

Treatment plants go ‘Platinum’ in 2016 

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Another year, another stellar performance that earned national recognition for our treatment plant operations. Four of our plants were honored with Platinum Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies headquartered in Washington D.C. To earn the awards, the treatment plants must meet 100 percent compliance with the effluent discharge limits set by permits under the federal Clean Water Act and the state’s Water Pollution Control Law. Our Carnation Treatment Plant earned its first Platinum award for five consecutive years of perfect compliance with its discharge… Read More

Michael Jacobson named Chair of the ASPA’s Center for Accountability and Performance

Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director for Performance and Strategy with the County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, has been named to a three-year board term and one-year chairmanship of the American Society of Public Administration’s Center for Accountability and Performance. During his term, Michael is working to advance awareness about the importance of performance and accountability in government through the Center’s regular webinar series and annual organizational and performance leadership awards. He will also host performance-related expert panels at ASPA’s annual conferences. “Another part of what has been exciting for me is… Read More

Kudos! King County CIO shares County successes in magazine article  

King County Chief Information Officer Bill Kehoe was recently featured in StateTech Magazine talking about the importance of rolling out a robust communications platform for organizations. StateTech spotlighted KCIT’s efforts to roll out a comprehensive communications software that enables King County employees to stay connected via instant message (IM), phone call, and conduct meetings with a voice, video and content sharing. “We’ve seen tremendous increase in staff productivity and savings from not having to travel to and from meetings – and there are thousands of meetings that occur over a month’s time,”… Read More

KOMO News recently featured a King County Metro driver for his upbeat and positive attitude 

Walid Underwood, a regular driver for the D-Line bus, was recently featured in a KOMO News exclusive. Host Eric Johnson and a camera crew tagged along for a ride, chatting with Walid and several of his passengers. ‘Walid doesn’t just drive a bus. He’s a singing, laughing, joke-telling tour guide, throwing out old-school references and corny one-liners and off-the-wall observations. “Welcome aboard Flight 106”, he says, as a handful of riders climb aboard.’ Read more at KOMO News. Image courtesy of KOMO News.

King County awarded for commitment to clean transportation 

Crossposted from Inside Transportation King County’s efforts to address climate change and promote cleaner transportation were recognized this month with the “2016 Clean Cities Sustainable Commitment Award” from our partners at Western Washington Clean Cities. This is the Clean Cities most prestigious annual award, reserved for organizations that go above and beyond in their commitment to reduce fossil fuel use, promote alternative fuels, and improve air quality.  King County is a Gold-level Clean Cities member, and under Executive Dow Constantine’s leadership, has taken bold steps to adopt clean technologies and promote equitable… Read More

Kudos! Metro’s solar-lit shelters recognized by Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council    

King County Metro received an Outstanding Case Study Award from the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council for the solar lighting upgrades to the County’s bus shelters. SPLC’s annual Leadership Awards program recognizes public and private sector organizations for leveraging purchasing power to advance the long-term health and vitality of society, economies, and the planet. In January, Employee News featured Metro’s efforts in the Using the sun’s energy to illuminate bus shelters blog post. The Outstanding Case Study Award is in recognition of the County’s contribution of a valuable case study to the library… Read More