Pride Parade is back, and King County is marching
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 to join with colleagues and represent King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to participate. Marchers can join the King County contingent on 4th Ave, between Columbia and Cherry, from 1 to 1:30 p.m. See the parade and staging area map below. To get the full logistics and stay up to date on all things related to the Pride Parade, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “PRIDE Info.”
Burien Police storefront takes an old-school approach
While the idea of a ‘storefront’ police officer is not new to King County – Kent, White Center, Skyway, Seatac, and others have had them several years – Burien has only recently joined in with the practice of having a fulltime presence in the downtown business district. The storefront is more of a community-focused, old-school approach to policing. It’s basically having an officer who’s out there most every day, walking a beat. “It allows us to look at problem solving instead of crisis response,” said Burien Police Chief Ted Boe. People feel… Read More
New PeopleSoft interface demonstrates improved inclusion and accessibility
You might have noticed a change the last time you logged in to PeopleSoft. As part of an upgrade earlier this month, the Business Resource Center (BRC) implemented a new look and feel to the interface, including new icons. While the old icons served their purpose to illustrate the tasks and functions, they didn’t reflect the diversity of our workforce and the communities we come from. They also weren’t designed to be accessible for people with vision impairments. “All employees, at one time or another, access PeopleSoft for payroll, benefits, or other… Read More
King County Council and King County Executive proclaim Juneteenth
The King County Council and King County Executive Constantine have formally proclaimed June 19, 2022, as JUNETEENTH. “Juneteenth is an important opportunity to honor the principles of the Declaration of Independence and to celebrate the achievements and contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, in King County and across the nation” the Council and Executive proclaimed. View the official proclamation below.
Allen Nance prepares to lead DAJD
Quanetta West will serve as interim juvenile division director Submitted by the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD) Allen Nance is scheduled to take over for John Diaz as DAJD director effective June 25. Nance has served as juvenile division director since late 2019. “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve King County in this important role leading the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention and want to thank John Diaz for his leadership to the department and his lifelong commitment to public service,” Nance said in May, after Executive… Read More
“They’re everywhere”: The never-ending battle to control noxious weeds
Recently, The Seattle Times accompanied one of the King County noxious weed patrols on their rounds as they take on the determined garlic mustard weed. This group from the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Division has the ongoing task of trying to keep certain weeds from taking over indigenous flora habitats in the region. The Times story is a great look at how King County crews on the frontline of environmental stewardship keep up this steady, important work. Read more. Photo: Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times
King County IT Security Tips: Data Breaches
Data breaches are becoming more and more common these days. You hear about them in the news all the time. So you might be wondering: what exactly is a data breach? A data breach is when secure information is taken from a trusted environment without permission. The bad guys can use this information to steal your identity, hack into your online accounts, or use the information for targeted phishing attacks to gather even more information about you. However, just because the data was exposed does not necessarily mean it’s already being used… Read More
Jennifer Hills receives Fred Jarrett Award
The recipient of the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award is Jennifer Hills, Director of the Office of Risk Management, Department of Executive Services. This award is named for former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett and honors a senior leader of a department or division. Under Jennifer’s guidance, King County has adopted a more progressive view of risk. Where it once avoided risk, the county now uses a more balanced approach and takes risks when it can add value, drive change, and deliver results. Watch the video to learn how Jennifer led the Office of… Read More
Welcome Back Bash to Celebrate County and City Employees
Fellow Public Servants, It’s time to celebrate your great work in support of our residents and communities! Thank you for all you have done to serve the people of Seattle and King County during a time of significant challenge. We were the first in the nation to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, but because you stepped up with courage, dedication, and hard work – even while lives and livelihoods were upended – our region is recovering and reopening. To celebrate you, and all public employees, during these unprecedented times we are throwing a… Read More
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
Employee News 