Local Food Initiative supports farmers, protects land, and increases access to healthy foods
King County strives to be a healthy community, where residents can access opportunities and receive the support needed to succeed. One way it does this is through the Local Food Initiative. This program was started in 2014 and aims to make the local food economy more equitable and resilient to climate impacts. The initiative is overseen by Mike Lufkin, Food Economy Manager in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Mike has been with King County since 2015. His work includes growing the food and farm sectors, increasing access to healthy nutritious… Read More
Executive Services BEAT Assessment wins 2022 Achievement Award
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express The Department of Executive Services’ Beginning, Exploring, Applying and Transforming (BEAT) Assessment has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties. The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. The BEAT Assessment was recognized in the Personnel Management, Employment and Training Category. Read more.
Metro Pride! Operator Johnathon Futch selected as Grand Marshal of 2022 Pride Parade
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Pride Month celebrates the history and accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities throughout the world. For Metro Operator Johnathon Futch, Pride 2022 is an opportunity to lead the celebration as one of the Grand Marshals of Seattle’s 48th Annual Pride Parade through downtown Seattle on Sunday, June 26. Read more. Join Johnathon to represent King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test. For information, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “PRIDE Info.”
People Leader Award honors Hedda McClendon
The People Leader Award recipient is Hedda McClendon, COVID Emergency Services Director for the Department of Community and Human Services. This award honors a leader below the department or division leadership level who directly manages staff. In an incredibly challenging year, Hedda led operations at two high-volume COVID-19 vaccine sites, King County’s Isolation and Quarantine System Sites, and the White Center Cooling Center, and oversaw the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program. Watch the video to learn how she inspired multi-departmental teams to produce big results with her leadership, partnership, and information-sharing –… Read More
Biologists see promising signs for native kokanee salmon
Biologists observed a sharp increase in the number of adult kokanee salmon returning to spawn four years after Executive Dow Constantine announced that King County would enact recommendations from the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group. Last fall, biologists observed more than 2,000 adult kokanee returning from the lake to spawn in tributary creeks, more than the total number of spawners they observed during the previous five years combined. See the full story here.
King County rolls out the state’s first battery-electric heavy-duty truck built in Renton
King County – already a leader in the transition to bus fleets powered by clean energy – is now the first organization in the state to operate a battery-powered heavy-duty truck manufactured at Kenworth’s plant in Renton. It will be one of the first Class 8 battery-electric trucks in North America operated by a waste management agency. Along with King County Metro’s progress toward electrifying its bus fleet, King County is a leader in the transition to zero-emission vehicles that reduce air and noise pollution. Read more.
Juneteenth events for King County employees
King County employees are invited to participate in a week full of celebrations featuring events, speakers, and opportunities to build community while commemorating Juneteenth. The Importance of Juneteenth with keynote speaker Hill Harper, Monday, June 13 Award-winning actor, bestselling author, and philanthropist Hill Harper will share what Juneteenth means to him. Monday, June 13 from noon to 1:20 p.m. via Zoom, meeting ID: 812 7312 8226 and usepasscode: 274575. Click here to add to your Outlook calendar. Transformational Conversations featuring Larry Gossett, Tuesday, June 14 Former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett shares… Read More
Income and employment verification InVerify becomes The Work Number
King County’s income and employment verification service – InVerify – is transitioning to a new provider, The Work Number from Equifax. The Work Number provides a comprehensive income and employment verification service that helps employees qualify for loans, credit, government aid, and more. All current InVerify processes will be transferred to the www.theworknumber.com on Wednesday, June 8. Employees can visit www.employees.theworknumber.com to get the verification services they need to obtain: Loans, home mortgages, new jobs, rental qualifications, and Social Service benefits such as temporary assistance, housing assistance, child support, and nutrition assistance. For more information, or to access… Read More
Individual Contributor Award honors Carolina Johnson
This year’s recipient of the Individual Contributor award is Carolina Johnson, Data Asset and Technical Manager, Department of Community and Human Services. This award honors an individual contributor who does not directly manage staff. Carolina is the product owner for the Community and Human Services and Public Health Integrated Data Hub, and she created the first-in-county structures and processes to allow for transparent and responsible data use and interpretation. She moved her project team to quickly generate data analysis that shaped the county’s COVID-19 homelessness response and limited the spread of the virus…. Read More
King County’s Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station goes energy neutral with new solar array
Posted by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks As it becomes more urgent to address the effects of climate change, the Solid Waste Division in King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks is working to provide recycling and waste disposal services throughout the county while reducing its carbon footprint and overall environmental impacts. At the Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station, a recently completed solar project will help the division reach its climate goals, providing energy-neutral recycling and garbage service to Vashon Island residents for years to come. Read more.
Employee News 