Switch Your Trips WA challenge begins Oct. 1
What if changing just a few driving trips a month could help you save money, reduce stress, get more active, or spend less time behind the wheel? That’s exactly what Switch Your Trips is all about. Commuters across Washington are challenged to switch drive-alone trips for sustainable alternatives like transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, rolling, passenger ferry and/or water taxi, skateboarding, or a combination of modes. Those who participate in the challenge and log at least 10 qualifying trips during October will be entered in a drawing to win prizes, including a… Read More
Diamond Parking Service assumes management and operation of Goat Hill Garage
Effective Monday, Sept. 1, Diamond Parking Service assumed management and operation duties of Goat Hill Garage. Diamond Parking is committed to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high level of service that King County has come to expect, including consistent parking availability and support. They look forward to ensuring your parking experience remains convenient, reliable, and professional. As part of the transition, the dedicated garage attendant staff who King County employees have become accustomed to working with will remain employed at Goat Hill Garage. To minimize any disruptions in services after Sept. 1, all existing phone numbers will remain… Read More
Be 911 Aware – Calling for help using modern devices
Crossposted from KCIT Many people are giving up their traditional landline phone service and moving to cell phones or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service. Be aware that these services works differently than traditional landline 911 service. If you’re using a cell phone to call 911, only your general location may display at the 911 center. Because of this, it is very important that you know your location and can relay the address, street names, or nearby landmarks. Text-to-911 is a service in King County that can help those who are… Read More
Employees only: Apply now for Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
Crossposted from the DES Express Are you an employee interested in a leadership role on King County’s Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Advisory Committee? If so, apply now through Oct. 13. “If anyone has an HR or ESJ interest, this committee will give you more insight and exposure to those fields,” said Kelli Williams, Human Resources Manager for the Department of Executive Services. “For front line employees that may not have exposure to county-wide initiatives, it is a good opportunity to get out and network and see what’s going on.” Read more.
Looking for juvenile Chinook in all the non-natal places
Crossposted from Headwaters This spring, scientists from the Science Section’s Watershed and Ecological Assessment Team (WEAT) went looking for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in streams where they have not been previously documented. The team spent 29 days in the field, ultimately completing 97 surveys across 20 different streams. Studies like this are time sensitive. The right fish are only in the right places at the right time and even then, they’re very hard to find. To make the best use of small timeframe, agencies like ours rely on seasonal support from early career… Read More
Liz Stead named Permitting Division Director of King County’s Department of Local Services
Crossposted from King County Local Liz Stead will join King County Department of Local Services as its new Permitting Division Director. Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson made the announcement today after an extensive search for the person who will help guide permitting activity for approximately 250,000 residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas. “We are excited that Liz will be a member of our team,” Richardson said. “She brings a wealth of experience in both local government and the private sector that will directly benefit the Permitting Division. She has… Read More
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Support and resources for your well‑being
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, serving as an important reminder that everyone goes through difficult moments, and no one should have to navigate those moments alone. If you find yourself in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, know there are different types of support available depending on what you need. For example, both the National Suicide hotline and King County’s Making Life Easier program have mental health professionals available 24/7. Reaching out early, even just to talk something through, can make a real difference. Read more.
Executive Zahilay proposes new Office of Labor Standards, supporting King County workers and businesses
Yesterday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council’s monthly delegate meeting, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that his administration is proposing $500,000 to establish a new Office of Labor Standards within King County. This investment will be included in the Executive’s second omnibus budget, which will be proposed next week. Once established, the office will focus on strengthening labor standards and expanding worker and business outreach and education in unincorporated King County, supporting an informed and empowered workforce and robust regional economy. “Working people are the backbone of King… Read More
Records Management Reminder: Supervisor responsibilities
Although all county employees have a responsibility to manage records as part of their jobs, supervisors have some additional responsibilities to ensure that their direct reports are managing their records. These responsibilities include: Ensure that new employees have access to the trainings and tools that they will need to manage records as part of their jobs Assume responsibility for all records of exiting employees that were not managed before their departure And more, as described in the Key Takeaways for Supervisors and Managers Supervisors should help to ensure that their direct reports… Read More
Data Dive: Crisis services in King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections New data shows King County Department of Community & Human Services helped more people access crisis care last year than ever before, thanks largely to new services and investments made possible by the voter-approved Crisis Care Centers Levy. This levy, approved by voters in 2023, invests in mental health and substance use care across King County. Now, we’ve released two reports that show both the momentum we’re building and the gaps still to address as the system grows: 2025 Crisis Care Centers Annual Report: This report outlines the Crisis Care Center Levy’s activities, accomplishments, and data. 2025 King County Crisis System Data Brief: This brief gives a high-level look… Read More
Employee News 