30 years at King County: A love story
By Katie Hayhurst In 1993, Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) employees Greg Rabourn and Mary Rabourn (née Pehl) began working as Special Waste Technicians in the Solid Waste Division. Little did they know it was also the start of a beautiful relationship. This couple’s “meet-cute” involved 900 acres of squishy garbage at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. Greg started working one month before Mary was hired and agreed to take the new person out for a tour of the landfill. Mary recalled the scene as semi-trailers slowly shuffling 40 yards… Read More
Kudos! Who says we’re siloed?
Cross-posted from WRLD News During a recent site visit on Bear Creek, Senior Ecologist Jen Vanderhoof was thrilled to see dozens of big, beautiful Chinook salmon in the creek near the reach known as Little Bit/Klapp. But as quickly as her heart soared it sank when she saw many of the salmon getting trapped and dying in a thicket of reed canary grass surrounding a beaver dam. Jen immediately did what she could to help the salmon on site and then emailed several colleagues King County’s Water and Land Resources Division (WRLD)… Read More
Spend your remaining 2023 FSA funds
Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? To check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA, go to Navia Benefits and sign in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2023, and submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2024. Please see details below. Health Care FSAs Day Care FSAs If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia at 425-452-3500 or Navia Benefits.
King County Security Tips: How secure is your mobile device?
Most of us have a smartphone, but how many of us really think about the security threats faced by these mobile devices? Mobile devices are vulnerable to many different types of threats. The bad players are increasing attacks on mobile devices and targeting your phone using malicious applications. Using these methods, they can steal personal and business information without you having any idea what’s going on. Even if you’ve downloaded a security or antivirus application, securing your smartphone goes beyond these services. Improving your mobile security practices is your best defense against… Read More
Five questions with Tim Hams, Employee Transportation Program Manager
Whether it’s by bike, bus, or boat, the King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) helps get you to and from work with a variety of resources while saving you money with your employee ID/ORCA card. KCEmployees.com recently spoke to Tim Hams, the new ETP Manager and asked five questions to get to know him a little better. What is your role at King County and when did you start? Employee Transportation Program (ETP) Manager, effective September 30, 2023. I supported ETP for a couple years with the prior ETP Manager before his… Read More
Thanking our local veterans for their service
Dear fellow King County employee, For more than a century, our nation has dedicated November 11 as the day to recognize the brave members of our country’s armed forces, past and present. They placed their own lives at risk to defend freedom here at home and around the world. Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor and thank them for their service. King County is home to some 115,000 veterans of all ages. Almost 1,200 of our King County colleagues are veterans, working alongside us in every department and every branch of… Read More
King County International Airport preparing for winter weather
Cross-posted from Plane Talk With freezing temperatures already hitting the region this fall, King County International Airport (KCIA) is getting ready for the winter ahead. Airport staff held the annual review of the Snow and Ice Control Plan (SICP) late last month and is readying equipment. Airport staff are in close contact with the Northwest Weather Service to stay abreast of severe weather forecasts. As soon as adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice are forecast, Airport Operations activates the SICP and notifies airport leadership. The Airport Duty Manager continuously monitors… Read More
Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention celebrates 2023 award recipients
“For those who do not work inside the jail or juvenile detention, these can be somewhat mysterious places. For those who do know the jail and detention, we often see people when they are at the lowest point in their lives.” That statement from the opening remarks by Alan Nance, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) at their annual awards ceremony underscores the importance of the work each and every one of the people in DAJD do every day to provide a safe and secure environment. “Our annual… Read More
New departure times and flyer for Walking Bus pilot program
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times from the King County Courthouse to King Street Station and Colman Dock via the Pioneer Square light rail station. In this pilot phase, which started Monday, Nov. 6, King County 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… 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
Employee News 