Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, March-April 2026
Crossposted from Metro Matters They cook and also love Volkswagens. They travel and enjoy weightlifting. They golf, snowboard, play soccer and enjoy walks. Their riders say they are: “super cheerful and considerate,” “exceptionally courteous, especially to elderly passengers,” and an “incredibly kind and friendly driver who makes the commute better.” They’re operators with close to a combined 250 years of transit driving experience who enjoy meeting with their riders and giving back to their communities. Meet your Operators of the Month for March and April 2026. Read more.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay appoints Matt Smith to lead the Department of Human Resources
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay appointed Matt Smith to serve as the Director of the King County Department of Human Resources (DHR), pending Council confirmation. Smith will lead the department which supports King County’s workforce of more than 18,000 employees. “Matt Smith is an accomplished leader who shares my belief that an organization’s greatest strength lies in its people,” said Executive Zahilay. “He has a deep understanding of human resources strategy, leadership, and labor and employment law. I look forward to Matt’s leadership to advance King County’s priorities and to support our talented, innovative, diverse, and inclusive workforce that aims to make a difference in their communities and the lives of the… Read More
King County, Plymouth Housing, and City of Kirkland celebrate opening of new permanent supportive housing community, Sheila Stanton Place
On July 8, King County, Plymouth Housing, and the City of Kirkland celebrated the grand opening of Sheila Stanton Place, a new permanent supportive housing community providing 101 homes for adults exiting homelessness. Developed through the King County Department of Community & Human Services’ Health Through Housing initiative and operated by Plymouth Housing, the community combines affordable housing with on-site services designed to help residents maintain stability, improve health, and build meaningful connections in the communities where they live. Sheila Stanton Place is the result of years of collaboration between King County, Plymouth Housing, the City of Kirkland, service providers, faith leaders,… Read More
IT accessories for employees now available for purchase at KCIT walk-up windows
Executive Branch employees can now purchase basic IT accessories directly at KCIT’s walk‑up windows at King Street Center (2nd floor) and the Chinook Building (7th floor). This quick, convenient option is designed for urgent needs—like a broken headset or a misplaced charger—for purchases under $200. To buy an item, simply tell the KCIT staff at the window what you need and provide your POETA number. You’ll receive your accessory on the spot, and billing will occur at the end of the month. Employees in DNRP or DLS Roads should check with their… Read More
Now is a great time to designate your beneficiaries!
When it comes to planning for the unexpected, one of the simplest and most meaningful steps you can take is designating beneficiaries for your financial and insurance benefits. As a King County employee, you have life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, a deferred compensation plan, and a state retirement plan. Keeping your beneficiary information up to date for these benefits ensures that your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. If you haven’t reviewed your beneficiary information recently, consider setting aside a few minutes to check and update… Read More
King County ETP E-bike subsidy pilot
Interested in leasing or purchasing an e-bike? The King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) is accepting applications for an e-bike subsidy program with lease to own options (up to 12 month lease subsidy with credits that can be applied towards purchase). Multiple vendors and e-bikes are available from Ridepanda, Rybit, Wombi. Apply here at tinyurl.com/kcebikes. Spaces are limited, but if selected, you will receive a follow up email with concierge support to help identify which bike and vendor may work best for you. Options to purchase during or at the end of your lease will… Read More
King County offers new toolkit to make homes and neighborhoods more resilient to increasing wildfire risk
Crossposted from DNRP Field Notes King County, in a partnership with Eastside Fire and Rescue and King Conservation District, developed a customized toolkit to help residents better prepare their homes and communities for increased wildfire risks. The new Wildfire Ready Toolkit is tailored to the specific conditions King County communities face, featuring customized actions to help reduce risk and build resilience. Climate, forestry, and emergency management experts at King County worked with local partners and first responders to develop the toolkit, based on the wildfire action plan created by the California Department of Forestry… Read More
PeopleSoft homepage coming July 27
An update to PeopleSoft will be made on Monday, July 27. When employees login to PeopleSoft, they will notice the new homepage design with an updated color scheme and navigation options. Check out the video below on the updated way to navigate PeopleSoft, or look over this helpful training document to learn more about the new changes. For other PeopleSoft resources, visit the PeopleSoft Knowledge Center. For help with any technical issues after the update, employees should first clear their browser cache using these instructions. If issues persist, please submit a help ticket at helpdesk.kingcounty.gov.
New video introduces Employee Assistance for Supervisors programs and Making Life Easier refresh
King County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Making Life Easier (MLE) went through a refresh on July 1, 2026. This was the result of feedback from employees, supervisors, leaders, and HR staff. Watch this video to learn more about the refresh. The following changes took place on July 1: Making Life Easier: Historically, Making Life Easier (MLE) has focused on helping King County employees with home- and life-related stress and concerns. On July 1, MLE expanded its services to also help employees with workplace issues. This all-in-one counseling is provided by King County’s external vendor Curalinc. Read… Read More
Korean Consul General Eunji Seo visits the Sheriff’s Office
Crosssposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Newsletter Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and Support Services Division Chief Cheol Kang recently had the pleasure of meeting with Consul General Eunji Seo from the Republic of Korea’s Seattle consulate. The visit was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss ways we can continue strengthening safety and support for the Korean community throughout King County. The conversation was engaging, collaborative, and forward-looking — exactly the kind of partnership that helps our communities thrive. Consul General Seo presented Sheriff Cole‑Tindall with a beautifully crafted tray designed… Read More
Employee News 