Sheriff’s Office team effort shuts down fentanyl trafficking organization

Over the past several months, the King County Sheriff’s Office Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (SET) has been conducting a long-term conspiracy investigation involving a fentanyl trafficking organization. This case is a great example of seamless collaboration to keep our communities safe. The work originated in Burien and it spanned throughout the King County region. On March 2, 2022, the investigation took action when the Precinct 4 SET conducted an operation involving a series of warrants. They received assistance from several other teams in the region inlcuding the SeaTac SET, Shoreline SET,… Read More

Disability awareness resources, recorded trainings from 2021, and planning ahead for 2022

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated every October by King County to honor the many contributions made by people with disabilities, and how these individuals strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country. This past year, the Disability Awareness Committee organized a wide series of articles and events to highlight these contributions, including: Universal Design for Meetings, Events and Trainings: This event was hosted by the King County Department of Human Resources and featured Blayne Amson, City of Bellevue Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI Program Administrator. Amson discussed his… Read More

County leaders wants to hear from you through the 2022 Employee Survey

King County leaders want to hear from you about what is going well and where we need to improve. The 2022 Employee Engagement Survey is your opportunity to speak up, be heard, and make a difference. The survey is available in six languages this year: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Amharic, and Somali. King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, Assessor John Wilson, Elections Director Julie Wise, and Interim King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall shared why participating in the Employee Engagement Survey is so important in the short video below…. Read More

Changes to mask requirements coming March 12

King County’s current mask requirements for Executive branch employees remain in place through March 11, but changes are coming March 12 that employees need to know about. Through March 11: Employees must wear a mask in indoor settings and enclosed spaces that are accessible to the public. This applies to all King County buildings, facilities, and structures that the public can enter, including public lobby and meeting spaces, public indoor recreation spaces, public service counters, and similar spaces open to the public. Masks are not required in areas that are not accessible to the public or… Read More

Supporting the people affected by the war in Ukraine

Dear fellow King County employee, We are all shocked and outraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Each day we’re seeing the devastating impacts of this decision: the senseless loss of life, bombardment of civilians, destruction of communities, families torn apart and forced to flee the violence, and the uprooting of more than a million people from their homes and homeland. We’re also seeing the bravery of the Ukrainian people, standing up to this dictator, fighting for their country, and fighting for the future of democracy in Europe and around the… Read More

Clean Water Plan building partnerships with community-based organizations 

The Clean Water Plan has partnered with eight community-based organizations (CBOs) to understand the needs and interests of historically underrepresented communities in planning for our region’s clean water future.   Why partner with CBOs? King County Wastewater Treatment Division recognizes that community-based organizations are trusted advocates and are experts on the best ways to engage historically underrepresented populations. The Clean Water Plan will guide King County’s investments in our regional wastewater system for the next 40 years, so hearing from diverse communities is important. Click here to read more about this essential program.

Vets 4 HIRE fellowship program creates savings and opportunities

The Vets 4 HIRE Program provides hiring managers a supplement to their budget by placing a military veteran in a temporary fellowship assignment using funds from the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy. It also gives veterans an opportunity to provide their skills and unique experience while filling a need within King County. As this video illustrates, it often leads to a full-time hire of a well-qualified individual who knows the meaning of duty and commitment. For more information, managers can reach out to their human resources representative or contact Vets 4 HIRE Program Manager Susan Navetski.

Dr. Ben Danielson answers parents’ questions about vaccines for kids 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider Are you still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine for your child? Maybe you have some questions or concerns that still haven’t been answered. Beloved local pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson is here to help! In these videos, he answers some common questions from parents about the vaccines for kids, including: Read more. Is the vaccine safe for kids? Are there long-term effects?

Data dashboard shows how vaccinated and boosted people have weathered the omicron surge

Crossposted from Public Health Insider King County residents who have gotten a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines are far less likely to get seriously ill than people who aren’t fully vaccinated, according to a newly updated data tool from Public Health – Seattle & King County. Public Health has been tracking how well the vaccines are protecting King County residents against the worst outcomes of COVID-19 – hospitalizations and deaths. The data reported on the Outcomes by Vaccination Status dashboard has shown consistently that the vaccines are working. Now, the dashboard has incorporated… Read More

King County marks two years of COVID outbreak, looks ahead to next phase of pandemic response

March 1 marked the two-year anniversary of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s emergency declaration in response to the COVID outbreak in King County, the first community in the nation to face an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, shortly after the nation’s first case was discovered in Snohomish County. Relying on trusted health leaders to chart the course forward and keep the community safe, King County has gone from the epicenter of the outbreak, to now one of the nation’s highest vaccinated communities with the some of the lowest cases and death rates two years later. Read… Read More