King County Elections receives national recognition
King County Elections was honored by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Officials, in the organization’s annual Professional Practice Paper Awards for 2022. The Election Center’s Professional Practices Program is a celebration of best practices from jurisdictions around the country and the U.S. Territories. Read more.
Washington State Fair discounts for King County employees
Employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Sept. 2-25. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you log in to the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code. See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Equity and Social Justice Change Team summit celebrates success
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express About 60 Equity and Social Justice Change Team members from all eight Department of Executive Services divisions and the director’s office recently met virtually to celebrate successes under very trying times. Special guest Derrick Wheeler-Smith, former Director of Zero Youth Detention for King County Public Health and current Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, gave an inspirational message at the second annual Change Team Summit. Read more.
King County is removing nearly 2,000 toxic-coated pilings from the Harbor Island shoreline
The King County Solid Waste Division is removing a derelict timber dock from the mouth of the Duwamish River, supporting a regional effort to clean up historic pollution and restore shoreline and aquatic habitat. The $8.1 million project, led by King County’s Solid Waste Division, is removing a 72,700 square-foot dock and its 1,800 timber pilings coated in creosote, a chemical once used to preserve wood that is harmful to water quality and marine life. The project contributes to a regional partnership committed to cleaning up historic pollution in the industrial corridor of… Read More
Executive Constantine announces a combined $8.2 million for community-led projects
King County Executive Dow Constantine recenlty announced two grant funds worth a combined $8.2 million for 37 community-led projects that will increase access to open space and parks, expand recreational facilities, and help protect and restore floodplain habitat. The King County Council approved the plan to allocate both grants, which are funded by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy. Read more.
State retirement plan contributions change Sept. 1
Employee and employer contribution rates for some of the following retirement plans will change on Sept. 1, 2022, as approved by the State Legislature. The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates, as needed, to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. The PERS employer rate will change to 10.39% for all PERS plans. There were no changes to the LEOFF plans. The PSERS employee rate will change to 6.66% and the employer rate will be 10.63%. New contribution amount deductions will begin with your Sept. 15 paycheck. More information is available… Read More
Professional Development Scholarship Program accepting applications in 2023
What could up to $3,000 do for your career? The newly designed Professional Development Scholarship Program is returning in 2023. The scholarship is designed to assist King County employees who are represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions with their professional development by providing financial assistance to help obtain training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications related to work performed at King County. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: A comprehensive leave benefited employee (excluding Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)) represented by one of the unions in the Coalition who has completed… Read More
Enjoy late summer and Labor Day weekend hiking with Trailhead Direct
Trailhead Direct – the popular transit-to trails service offered by King County Parks and King County Metro – offers convenient, eco-friendly adventures for late summer hikes as well as service during Labor Day weekend. Check out the route schedule and trail information, and watch the video below.
Stuck in an elevator? ARFF to the rescue!
Cross-posted from Plane Talk Ever thought about what happens if you get stuck in an elevator? If you’re at the King County International Airport, the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit, recently trained in elevator rescues, would be the first to respond. Read more.
Executive Constantine announces King County’s first-ever Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy
King County has developed its first-ever Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy, a set of 12 recommended actions to improve preparedness, response, and recovery as the region experiences hotter, drier summers due to climate change. The strategy’s recommended actions are organized around three guiding priorities: Make King County forests more resilient to wildfire, reduce risks to communities and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, and enhance emergency response. Read more.
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