King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Operator-in-Training program recognized for national award
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognized King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Operator-in-Training program as a 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award winner for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more. Program now accepting applications The Operator-in-Training program is now accepting applications. There is no experience necessary for this paid, on-the-job training. Visit the Operator in Training website for more information.
Supporting people and communities affected by Türkiye and Syria earthquakes
On Feb. 6, a massive earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria, flattening entire cities and communities. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives and many more were injured. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless in freezing temperatures, without access to basic needs such as shelter, health care, sanitation, food, and water. King County employees can help these communities recover and rebuild is by making donations to organizations that are providing humanitarian aid and support for the people impacted by the earthquake. A 21-day natural disaster response campaign will allow King… Read More
Report non-urgent public issues with Find It, Fix It mobile app
It’s now easier than ever for residents and people working in Seattle, including King County employees, to report non-urgent public issues. The City of Seattle’s Find It, Fix It mobile app is a simple way to report an issue, track reports, and view service requests. Examples of issues include a streetlight outage, clogged storm drain, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, unauthorized encampment, and potholes. If you see an issue that needs addressing near or on the way to a County workplace in Seattle, use the app to report it. The app is… Read More
Upcoming changes coming to two-factor authentication
On Feb. 22, 2023, Microsoft will update the Authenticator phone app that King County employees use for multi-factor authentication (MFA). What does this change mean for you? Just like today, employees signing into King County enterprise systems may be asked to verify their identity through MFA; this can be done via text, phone call, digital fob, or using the Microsoft Authenticator app. After the update, employees who use the Authenticator app will no longer click the “Accept” button to confirm their identity. Instead, the app will generate a random number you will… Read More
Be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, and strong winds
Updated Jan. 8, 2024 Extremely cold temperatures, snow, and strong winds are forecast for our region this week, so please be prepared for possible commute delays and impacts to business operations. If you work on site, please be prepared for cold weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight. Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to… Read More
State Paid Leave benefits assists military family members
The King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group (VMAG) would like to remind all County employees who are family members of Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve members, that the Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program is available to assist you when the stressors of deployment arise. The PFML program allows up to 12 weeks of paid leave to prepare for a family member’s pre- and post-deployment, or to manage childcare issues related to a deployment. This benefit may be useful if you have exhausted your accrued leaves. For eligibility information and… Read More
DNRP: Celebrating Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, Art Hendricks, the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, was asked to curate a list of resources that employees and the community can access to deepen our knowledge and awareness of Black history. “I encourage you to intentionally learn, discuss, and honor the contributions of African Americans,” stated Hendricks. “Most important, honoring Black History Month is an opportunity to create a sense of community and belonging within our workplace, King County, and across the country.” Read more.
Have an idea to improve language access services? Your department may be eligible for a grant.
King County’s Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice has grant funds available for qualifying language access projects and programs. The goal of this funding is to assist departments with implementing their Language Access Plans and ensuring meaningful access for persons with disabilities or who speak languages other than English. Eligible proposals must address language access needs or gaps related to COVID-19 and its impacts. Your department or agency is encouraged to apply. If you have an idea, reach out to your Language Access Liaison to discuss potential programs or projects that may be eligible… Read More
Megan Clarke, new King County CIO, featured in Government Technology
Megan Clarke, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the city of Burbank, CA, took over King County’s IT Department in January. The announcement was recenlty featured in Government Technology. Prior to joining King County, she worked as a CIO for Stanford University, the University of Southern California, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Read more.
Tax documentation for workplace giving donations available
It’s tax time and you may be asking, how do I document workplace giving charitable donations for my taxes? If you donated through the King County Employee Giving Program, here’s the scoop on just how easy it is to retrieve this documentation for tax purposes. Read more.
Employee News 