Downtown Customer Service Center receives BRG Innovation Award for Service
The Downtown Customer Service Center (CSC) has received the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Service. Congratulations to the Department of Executive Services (DES), Department of Public Health (DPH), Assessor’s Office, King County Information Technology (KCIT), the Executive Department, and all their partners for their commitment to Best-Run Government. This award recognizes workgroups and teams that have made progress on our customer service goals to prioritize customer-centered services, improve the customer experience, increase staff understanding of customer needs, and/or incorporate service practices and processes into their project. With the closing… Read More
Recipient of BRG Innovation Award for Cost helped stabilize region’s behavioral healthcare system
A team comprised of employees from the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, Finance and Compliance Services, and Performance Measurement and Evaluation in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is the recipient of the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Cost. The award was one of eight announced by Executive Dow Constantine in a video. The Behavioral Health Medicaid Rate Increase Project Team was instrumental in increasing rates for behavioral health providers, who have been struggling to attract and retain staff at a time when the County seeks to increase access… Read More
Keeping KCCF orderly and fun: Ting Chou marks 25 years with King County
By Christina Lorella Kuzu, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention You can find Ting Chou at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) every Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, making sure officers and residents get what they need. From stocking supplies to fulfilling resident kites (a written request from a person in custody), his role as a records unit support clerk is important to jail operations. Ting also makes it his unofficial duty to guarantee that coworkers don’t take themselves too seriously. “We know when he’s… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could be more effective in bringing much-needed talent on board if it could speed up the recruiting process and build equity practices into every step of the… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. Delays in the hiring process can result in the loss of talented candidates to other organizations or opportunities, making it harder to fill critically important positions. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could… Read More
Administrative professional recognitions now available for July through September
The Administrative Professionals Program is excited to announce the Administrative Professional Recognitions for the 2023 third quarter, from July through September. These 10 individuals have been recognized for their excellence as administrative professionals at King County. View the recognitions here. The list includes: Catalina Corvalan, Marni Donnely, Shenathan Burtdon, Linda Eaves, Ithica Nolan-Williams, Susan Felchlin, Alison Hoffarth, Stephanie Scappini, Viviana Ramirez-Carrillo, and Bryan Baird. Thank you to the Administrative Specialists, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and others who keep King County operating. Please consider taking a moment to recognize an Administrative… Read More
King County’s Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellowship: Empowering tomorrow’s public service leaders
We are excited to introduce the 2023-2024 Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellows. The Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellowship offers a unique one-year, paid fellowship and is dedicated to nurturing the next wave of public service leaders. Inspired by Ruth Woo, a dedicated advocate of public service and mentor to elected officials, the Fellowship provides immersive experiences across various County departments. Fellows will actively contribute to projects aligned with King County’s core values of equity, social justice, and community well-being, engaging in tasks ranging from supporting government initiatives and strategic planning to tracking… Read More
Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year: Rich Polkinghorn
Crossposted from Metro Matters “Unwavering. A craftsman among skilled craftsmen. A bus-making machine. Best of the Best.” There was no shortage of accolades, affection and appreciation today as King County Executive Dow Constantine and Metro leaders announced Rich Polkinghorn is Metro’s 2023 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year. Polkinghorn, an East Base mechanic since 2003, was cheered on by family and colleagues as he received the award at a surprise ceremony. Read more.
Celebrating employees who provide customer service
National Customer Service Week is Oct. 2-6 and an opportunity to recognize the hundreds of employees at King County who serve and support customers on a daily basis. “We focus on the customer” is one of the County’s core values. To standardize the customer service approach at King County, a new Customer Service Playbook offers guidance and tips for employees who support customers, both internal and external. Employees who want to further develop their customer service skills are encouraged to take the Customer Service Fundamentals training in NEOGOV. Providing exemplary customer service is what we aspire… Read More
Administrative Professionals Program quarterly recognitions
Do you know administrative professional you’d like to recognize for the outstanding work they do? The Administrative Professionals Program holds quarterly recognitions for the County’s administrative employees who contribute to the success of every department every day. The upcoming recognitions will cover July through September 2023, and will be posted on the Administrative Professionals Program website in October. To recognize an administrative professional, please fill out the Recognition form here by Sept. 30, 2023.
Employee News 