Security Tip: HTTPS the ‘S’ stands for Secure
If you have ever signed in to a website such as Facebook or Amazon, you will notice that on the login page, the URL will change from ‘http’ to ‘https’. What that little ‘s’ stands for is secure. It means that your web browser and the website have both agreed to communicate securely so that no other individuals will be able to ‘listen in’ on your conversation. If you needed to communicate some sensitive information such as a password to someone else, you would not shout out in the open ‘HERE IS… Read More
‘A pathway to zero waste’: King County explores innovative technologies to meet waste reduction goals
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green This year, the King County Solid Waste Division launched Re+, with an ambitious goal to reduce the amount of waste going to our regional landfill by 70% by 2030. The plan outlines actions to reduce waste at every point in the lifecycle of the products and items we use. In addition to reusing more, reducing single-use items, and expanding access and effectiveness of our recycling and composting programs, the County is investigating a new technology, called mixed waste processing, that can capture and divert valuable resources… Read More
Explore King County’s 41 farmers markets during National Farmers Market Week Aug. 6 – 12
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green Farmers markets across King County are at their most vibrant as we head into the last push of summer and then fall harvest season. August is prime time for vegetable variety and summer’s finest produce. Farmers Market Week, Aug. 6 to 12, is a great reason to get to a market and support local farmers and growers. You’re never far from farm-fresh food in King County. Many markets offer SNAP/EBT matching through the SNAP Market Match program, and you can make the most of your visit… Read More
Connections that bridge: King County Parks’ MET interns
Crossposted from King County Parks For the second summer in a row, the King County Parks’ Mobile Engagement Team (MET) program is hosting a group of college interns who are passionate about working with parks, government, and community outreach. Galit Berezansky, Malefia Gustafsson, Annabelle “Bee” Kisky, and Luc Tworek have conducted safety and accessibility surveys with pedestrians and disc golf players at Dick Thurnau Memorial Park, as well as other sites. At Marymoor Park, the interns have engaged with concert goers to share more information about outdoor recreation opportunities at different parks… Read More
Emerging Metro leader who lifts community voices is recognized for completing Ruth Woo fellowship
Crossposted from Metro Matters Metro is proud to announce Alex Madrigal Ramirez’s participation in King County’s 2022-2023 Ruth Woo Emerging Leader Fellowship program. “Alex has also taken a leadership role in launching Metro’s first Employee Resource Group dedicated to immigrants and refugees, and he is the voice of Metro in onboard announcements about the Free Youth Transit Pass,” said Rachel Wilch, a Metro Government Relations Administrator. Ramirez called the fellowship an amazing career development opportunity. Read more.
PeopleSoft outage Friday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m.
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available starting on Friday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be back online by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14. During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. This outage impacts all PeopleSoft users. Your understanding and support is… Read More
Women in trades: Ivy Schmitz
Crossposted from the Metro Layover Employee Newsletter Meet Ivy Schmitz. She works as a Utility Laborer in our Transit Facilities Division (TFD). Ivy is one of the 6.2% percent of women who make up the female workforce in the transit trades industry. This industry has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated field, with women facing educational and training barriers, an unwelcoming workplace culture and environment, and lack of awareness and exposure to the possibility of employment in the trades. Ivy first joined Metro as a Maintenance Crew member in South Facilities and then… Read More
Employees being contacted by firm purporting to represent King County retirement and financial plans
Recently, several employees have reported being contacted by a representative of Equitable financial services, stating that they represent King County employee retirement plans and attempting to get the employees to provide their personal financial information. Equitable does not represent any King County retirement or financial programs and is not a provider of any King County retirement or financial plans. Keep in mind, representatives for King County retirement and financial plans will not call you unsolicited. For security purposes it is recommended that you not give out any personal information to anyone you did… Read More
Administrative Professional Partners benefits employees
Since 2016, the Administrative Professionals Development and Recognition Program has forged pathways for the development and recognition of administrative professionals. Meg Chambers, an administrative professional with the Department of Public Health, says, “The Administrative Professionals Program has made a huge influence on my career at King County. I have had the opportunity to work with other admin professionals to have a diverse set of experiences and perspectives, which has both helped me professionally as another admin professional and provided me with a support network of people who are doing similar work to… Read More
Mad scientist in the woods? Or, just another day at Vashon Treatment Plant
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Blink and you’d probably miss the driveway into Vashon Treatment Plant. Everything about this plant is pint-sized, a much scaled-down version of the massive clean water facilities servicing the mainland. Despite the solitude, a lot happens in this quiet, serene spot in the woods where all the wastewater going down the drains of more than 1,000 people on the island ends up. Elizabeth Corliss has been at the helm of Vashon Treatment Plant for four years now. Everyone calls her Lizzy. She grew up on Vashon and… Read More
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