Newest transit-to-trails service makes it safer, more convenient to explore Mailbox Peak
Trailhead Direct – a public-private partnership co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks –launched its third route this weekend, offering transit service from North Bend to one of the most popular trails in the Pacific Northwest; Mailbox Peak. The newest transit-to-trails service reduces unsafe overcrowding at the Mailbox Peak parking lot. Transit vans depart every 20 minutes from a satellite lot in North Bend during weekends and holidays. “We are making it safer and more convenient for hikers to explore one of the premier trails in our region,” said King… Read More
New Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy for Executive Branch, Elections, Assessments and Sheriff’s employees
Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams has launched King County’s new Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy, effective July 1, 2018, which applies to employees in Executive Branch departments, Elections, Assessments and the Sheriff’s Office. “Through our Investing in YOU initiative, we are building a workplace culture that is respectful and supportive of all employees and the unique skills, experiences and perspectives that each of us brings to King County.,” Abrams said in an email to employees. “There is no place for any type of harassment or discrimination in this culture, and our… Read More
Parks crew’s Lean pilot drives tangible results
In Lean thinking, “Going to Gemba” refers to the process of going where the actual work happens to observe and learn from those doing the work, and that’s exactly what three members of Executive Constantine’s Senior Leadership Team recently did at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Chief Performance Officer Gary Kurihara, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams and Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller met with employees from King County Parks’ North Utility Trail Crew in their maintenance shop to learn more about their pilot of a Lean Daily Management System. “We went with the… Read More
Introducing Balanced You
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams launched Balanced You last week, the successor to the County’s award-winning Healthy Incentives℠ program. Balanced You offers a variety of health and well-being tools to support employees so they can feel good, get the most out of life, and do their best work for the people of King County. Balanced You is built from the ideas and recommendations of employees across the County. Learn more about Balanced You in this short video and on the Balanced You website at KingCounty.gov/BalancedYou.
Executive Constantine releases statement on passing of Executive Revelle
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement on the passing of Executive Randy Revelle, who served from 1981-1985: “I considered Executive Randy Revelle’s legacy of public service last month when I announced a plan to protect tens of thousands of acres of farmlands, forests and shorelines. It was Executive Revelle who first launched the Conservation Futures Program in 1982, following a proposal from Executive Spellman. For many decades, we have protected green space in our county, and I am honored to have the opportunity to build on his original plan…. Read More
King County is now a leading producer of clean, renewable biofuel that can be used by commercial vehicles
King County — which has converted methane to natural gas for more than 30 years — is now a leading producer of clean, renewable biofuel that can be used by commercial vehicles. Converting waste into clean energy The purified renewable natural gas produced at King County’s South Treatment Plant in Renton can replace diesel fuel in commercial vehicles, capitalizing on a federal program designed to power more transportation with renewable energy. Renewable natural gas sales last year yielded more than $6 million in revenue for King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division. “We are… Read More
King County wins lawsuit, blocks federal government from terminating science-based teen pregnancy prevention program
King County won an important victory in U.S. District Court after demonstrating that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) acted unlawfully in abruptly cancelling its Teen Pregnancy Prevention grants two years early. “We sued the federal government because they are attempting to eliminate funding for programs based on science and evidence in favor of right-wing ideology that is out of touch with reality,” said Executive Constantine. “We stood up for our youth and for teachers who depend on the FLASH curriculum, one of the most respected sexual health education… Read More
Celebrating Best Starts for Kids’ school partnerships
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids Blog Schools have a lot of jobs. In addition to education, schools are tasked with helping children, young people, and families navigate challenges in their lives and connect to the resources they need to succeed. That’s why schools and the organizations that support them are critical partners in accomplishing Best Starts for Kids’ vision. On Tuesday, Best Starts for Kids partners working in the Bellevue School District met with Executive Constantine at Highland Middle School to celebrate these partnerships and discuss how Best Starts for Kids… Read More
Executive Constantine delivers keynote address at KCIT’s annual all-hands
More than 300 of King County’s award-winning technology professionals gathered for KCIT’s Library Day 2018, which was held at Seattle Central Library May 22. Executive Constantine’s Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller opened the event with remarks about the role technology plays in moving King County priorities forward. Chief Information Officer and KCIT Director Tanya Hannah discussed KCIT’s roadmap to engagement, and how KCIT employees play a crucial role in this process. Whitney Abrams, Executive Constantine’s Chief People Officer, gave an overview of the “Investing in YOU” strategy for creating a workplace culture… Read More
Take Trailhead Direct transit from Capitol Hill to Mount Si
The second Trailhead Direct route kicked off Saturday, offering service from Sound Transit’s Capitol Hill Link light rail station to Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe. There are stops for customers in downtown Seattle and at the Eastgate and North Bend park-and-rides. Beginning June 16, customers will also be able to board a Trailhead Direct transit van at a free satellite parking lot in North Bend for a ride to the Mailbox Peak trailhead. “We are connecting high-capacity transit to some of the most popular hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest,” said King… Read More
Employee News 