StormFest 2023 seeking volunteers
StormFest is an outdoor learning event with sixth and seventh grade Highline School District students using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and stormwater lessons for hands-on learning. At this outdoor event, students learn about their local watershed, sources of pollution, and engineering solutions to prevent stormwater pollution. Volunteers gain experience in best practices for environmental education and interacting with students from a variety of cultures. Bilingual station educators and interpreters will be paid stipends. Eligible employees can use leave for volunteer hours. Applications close on May 8. Check out this past… Read More
March 30 is the third payday of the month
All King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month; however, March 30 will be the third payday of the month. The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks. For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
PeopleSoft outage Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available starting on Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be back online by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 27. 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 appreciated.
King County Sheriff’s Deputy awards athletes in Special Olympics Winter Games
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s Newsletter Deputy Dylan Centanino-Sweers recently attended the Special Olympics Washington Winter Games in Wenatchee. He was joined by officers from other local jurisdictions. The Sheriff’s Office stated, “We were honored that Deputy Centanino-Sweers was chosen to award athletes who placed in their respective sports. As a former Renton Special Olympics track and field coach, he has continued to work closely with the organization.” Read more.
Get ready for King County’s new public website coming March 31
On March 31, King County will launch our new public website (kingcounty.gov). Online visitors will see the new King County homepage, and your department’s webpages will also change to a more modern look and feel. The Design and Civic Engagement (DCE) team is working with your department’s Web Content Manager(s) to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruptions, but you can help: Be prepared for customer questions. Your webpages will look different, and customers may need help navigating to popular web content. If you have webpages on the current site, work with… Read More
Together, we must do more on climate change
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green The world’s top scientists released their latest report on climate change this week, warning that the Earth is on pace for severe damage. The United Nations climate report is a clear call for more ambitious climate action to prevent the worst effects of climate change. While King County is leading the nation with solutions and has a strong foundation to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions, together we must do more. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks is advancing King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan goal to cut countywide greenhouse gas emissions in… Read More
Executive Constantine statement on Detective wounded in Seattle
“Every day, hundreds of Sheriff’s Office personnel serve our many communities, doing the hard work of keeping us all safe.” King County Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement regarding the King County Sheriff’s Office detective wounded in Ballard on March 20: “This morning a King County Sheriff’s Office detective was shot in the line of duty in Ballard. He has significant injuries but is in good hands at Harborview Medical Center, and we wish him a speedy recovery. “He is the second King County officer wounded by gunfire in just over… Read More
Strategic Interviewing Skills now an eLearning course
The course is searchable through NEOGOV Learn course catalog under “Career Support Services: Strategic Interviewing Skills” or you can enroll here. Several major updates have been made to the training content to prepare you for questions you may face from a King County interview panel. Even if you have taken this training before, there are a handful of new strategies, tips and techniques that will enhance your interviewing skills. Questions? Please email careersupportservices@kingcounty.gov.
Free rapid COVID-19 self-tests are still available
If you feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important to get tested right away, even if you’re vaccinated. If you test positive, most treatments for COVID-19 must start within five days of feeling sick. Now is a good time to stock up on free at-home rapid tests, while supplies are still available and covered by insurance. Where to request tests: Federal Government: www.COVID.gov/tests while supplies last Washington State Department of Health: www.sayyescovidhometest.org. Enter your home zip code to see if supplies are still available in your area. The program ends on May 11, 2023…. Read More
County’s utility workers are like utility players in baseball
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Utility Workers in the Facilities Management Division (FMD) are like the county’s “utility players” on a baseball team, capable of serving in various roles or positions as needed. Their jobs aren’t related to a public utility such as power or water as you might first assume. They take care of anything not assigned to a specific trade worker, like a carpenter, electrician, or painter. This is the team that continues to move agencies out of the Administration building and supports moves around the county. They also handle everything from… Read More
Employee News 