Get to know the Walking Bus program
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times. In this pilot phase, employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way. The meeting location for both routes is the Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the courthouse. Get more information on routes and departure times. View… Read More
Stories and information for King County employees: DHR’s top stories and videos of 2023
Storytelling is a powerful way to share knowledge, transcend differences, and connect people. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) county-wide Employee Newsletter is bursting with content about employee benefits and accomplishments, learning and advancement opportunities, public health and community services, and other important news that helps employees stay informed. In 2023, in addition to sharing important internal announcements and news, we also told stories about what makes up King County – you. These stories included how the Employee Giving Program allows us to support multiple causes and be better together, how County… Read More
Preparing for extreme weather with the Roads Maintenance crew
Snow and ice are common in Western Washington during the winter months and the King County Roads Maintenance Section of Local Services has been busily getting ready and preparing for the extreme winter weather season. This fall, the Roads Maintenance Section conducted its annual Snow and Ice Day. Maintenance employees in work units located across the county gathered for a day of training, equipment testing, and team building. The day consisted of training sessions on the proper techniques for attaching and operating plows, guidance on selecting chains and effective installation, proper anti-icer… Read More
Save 100% on specialty medications with PrudentRx
As announced during Open Enrollment, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, CVS Caremark will offer the PrudentRx specialty drug copay program to employees and their covered family members enrolled in a Regence BlueShield medical plan (King Care PPO or KingCare Select). PrudentRx participants pay nothing out-of-pocket for their eligible specialty drugs. Employees and covered family members who use a specialty medication that’s covered under the program should have received a letter through the U.S. mail from PrudentRx in early December. The letter contains information about the program and provides instructions to help you enroll. Please be… Read More
Facility tour looks at ways to enhance safety and security
Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams joined a group of employees and labor representatives on a tour of the King County Courthouse and its surroundings to review ideas for improving access to the courthouse while maintaining security at the building. The tour, led by Facilities Management Division Deputy Director of Operations Drew Zimmerman, was part of efforts to create safe, more welcoming environments around King County facilities in downtown Seattle and across the county. The group discussed options for improving access to the Courthouse after hours, especially in the darker, winter months, improving… Read More
Deputies’ actions come to the aid of a mother and children in need
The work at King County is guided by our True North and values. We do this to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our values define the way we act, what’s important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another. King county employees not only embody these values in their day-to-day work but when their efforts directly create a positive impact on community members, it merits acknowledgment. On the night of November 3rd, Deputy Clark “Trey” Matthews, Deputy Seth Grant, and Sergeant Hiram Grijalva responded… Read More
King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Inappropriate Conduct Policy
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer At King County our work is guided by our True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – and our values. Our True North and values represent what is important to us as an organization, what we stand for, and the way we act. The way we treat one another and the way we expect to be treated are critical in building a workplace culture based on respect, belonging, and inclusivity. There is no room for any type of harassment or discrimination… Read More
2024 MLK calendars available to order
The 2024 MLK Jr. calendar, designed by artist Rey Daoed, is now available for King County employees to order. We have developed a more streamlined process for the distribution of the annual calendars. All orders will need to be submitted via the order form by Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Listed below are the guidelines for submitting orders: Artist Bio: Rey Daoed is diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech. Typing, handwriting, and text-to-speech apps are his preferred method of communication. Rey began painting in 2015, and the medium soon became an important… Read More
RSVP now: 2024 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration
Updated Dec. 28, 2023, with RSVP information. King County employees are invited to join in honoring human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual celebration on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The theme for the celebration is “Passing the torch and continuing the journey,” along with the guiding quote “The task is not done. The journey is not complete. We can and we must do more.” – Martin Luther King III. There will be artistic performances from Jeffrey Lewis, Jamaar Smiley, Brohamm, and Massive Monkees. The keynote… Read More
Congratulations Hazardous Waste
Cross-posted from WLRD News Congratulations to the Hazardous Waste Program for being named an EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year for the seventh consecutive year. This national award recognizes individuals, businesses, and other entities that identify cleaning and chemical products to be healthier for people and the environment. The Program advocates for upstream strategies to eliminate harmful chemicals at their source, rather than requiring homeowners and the public sector to dispose and/or treat them. Two examples: the presence of “forever” chemicals (for example, PFAS), in everyday products used in packaging, cosmetics,… Read More
Employee News 