Get Ready for Wildfire Smoke Season
Dear employee, Summer has finally arrived and with it comes the risk that we will once again experience unhealthy levels of air quality due to wildfire smoke. Washington state has declared a state of drought and there have already been a record number of small wildfires across western Washington this year. As a result of climate change, we should be prepared for more frequent and larger wildfires during Pacific Northwest summers. Before the smoke arrives, take steps to protect your health from smoke at home and work. When air quality is at unhealthy… Read More
Executive visits Dick Thurnau Memorial Park as part of Parks tour
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently visited Dick Thurnau Memorial Park in White Center as part of his 100 miles in 100 days through King County Parks where he met with employees and checked out a new playground. “Parks Specialist Christian Loko took me to the new playground our staff installed with funds generated by the King County Parks Levy,” Executive Constantine said. “We ended at the White Center Bicycle Playground, which provides kids a safe place to learn how to ride bicycle. It is the first playground of its kind in the nation.” The parks… Read More
True North and values to guide our work
You may have heard me talk about what I call our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The True North is our “why,” what ties our work together, and what drives us do our best each and every day. Today I am launching our eight Executive Branch values that we will use to guide our actions and decision-making, and help us achieve our True North. They are the next step in our work of building a workplace culture of respect, innovation, and performance excellence. The eight values represent what is important to us as an organization – what we believe in, what we stand… Read More
King County named a “Best-in-State Employer” for 2019
Last month, King County was named to Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Best-In-State Employers 2019.” King County was ranked number 16 on the list of best employers in Washington after a survey of more than 80,000 people nationwide. This recognition shows that we are making progress on our Investing in YOU strategy and our efforts to build a workplace culture of respect, innovation, and performance excellence. It also reinforces what we heard in our latest employee engagement survey, in which 79% of employees said they would recommend King County as a great place… Read More
Executive Constantine announces new funding to prevent spread of hepatitis A
As urban areas across the United States grapple with hepatitis A outbreaks affecting people experiencing homelessness, Executive Constantine announced he is allocating $375,000 in new funding to expand free hepatitis A vaccinations to help prevent outbreaks in King County. In April, a King County man living without permanent housing was diagnosed with the disease, heightening concerns about the possibility of a local outbreak. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can cause severe liver disease. Since 2017, Public Health – Seattle & King County has held dozens of free vaccine clinics for people… Read More
Exec bikes Cedar River Trail, meets with employees
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently rode 10 miles on Cedar River Trail, a 17.4-mile paved multi-use trail that runs along Cedar River from Landsburg to Lake Washington, as part of his 100 miles in 100 days through King County Parks. On the way back, he stopped at Cavanaugh Pond where King County staff updated him on a major floodplain project that will protect property and improve salmon habitat. “We are very fortunate in this region to have those kinds of resources like a regional trail network, and those who came before us had… Read More
Exec meets with employees on visit to Steve Cox Memorial Park
This spring and summer, King County Executive Dow Constantine is traveling 100 miles in 100 days through King County Parks, meeting many of the dedicated employees, partners, and volunteers who contribute to the region’s spectacular parks and trails. He recently visited Steve Cox Memorial Park, a popular athletic complex located in White Center, named in honor of Sheriff Deputy Steve Cox, who was killed in the line of duty in 2006. “Parks Coordinator Darlene Sellers led me on a tour of the historic gymnasium built in the 1930s where we offer the… Read More
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee, This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation. We have come a long way since this landmark event, yet many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives. Here in King County we are dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive community. In 2012, King County became the first jurisdiction in the nation to enact marriage equality based on voter approval, and one of… Read More
King County Personnel Board Election
Dear Colleagues, Today King County Elections mailed ballots for the King County Personnel Board Election. The Personnel Board conducts hearings on appeals of certain county personnel actions. It’s made up of five members, one of which is elected by county career service employees. If you are a career service employee you are eligible to vote for the open position on the King County Personnel Board. Like any other election, your ballot will be mailed to your home address. Ballots must be returned to King County Elections by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June… Read More
King County Executive and employees volunteer at Jefferson Day Center
Recently, Executive Constantine and members of his office staff volunteered at the Jefferson Day Center. “We brought and served breakfast and, more importantly, got to spend time with some of our neighbors who we are helping to transition out of homelessness,” he said.” Hear more about the experience in this video, posted to Executive Constantine’s Facebook.
Employee News 