King County’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan survey
King County is starting a once-a-decade update to its Comprehensive Plan, which guides where people live, work, and play in unincorporated King County. To ensure that King County will be a welcoming community where every person can thrive, the 2024 update will focus on policies related to racial equity, affordable housing, and climate change. To achieve this goal, King County employees and residents are encouraged to participate in a survey to provide input. Click here to learn more.
County communicators partner with ethnic media representatives to help all communities
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Representatives from community and ethnic media outlets met with regional public information officers and communication professionals recently to develop better relationships and improve communication to all communities in the King County region. More than 90 people attended the open house, coordinated by King County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Read more.
Get caught up on your preventive care
Preventive Care is a term that means routine health care services, such as check-ups, screenings, and tests, to prevent illnesses and health problems. King County health plans have reported that preventive screenings have declined among our employee population. Scheduling your annual well-visit with your Primary Care Provider is the best way to stay on top of your long-term health. As a King County employee, preventive screenings are 100% covered by your health plan—you pay nothing. Learn more about how to get caught up with your preventive care on the Balanced You blog.
Do you qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program?
As a King County employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The U.S. Department of Education is allowing a one-time exception to give borrowers credit for payments that may not have qualified in the past for forgiveness. Please forward your completed application form to your department payroll representatives for verification. The deadline for submission is Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. Please note, PSLF is different from the one-time student loan debt relief of up to $20,000. PSLF is a program for people who work in public service in federal, state, tribal,… Read More
Congratulations, Captain Thomas, for 40 years of exemplary service
Excerpted from King County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Newsletter Captain Greg Thomas recently was awarded his 40-year coin after four decades of commendable service to the Sheriff’s Office. As the second-most senior member in the agency, he’s served in many capacities but has found his heart in honoring Fallen Officers. In his current role serving as Chief of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, he offers extraordinary leadership and serves as a role model to all, including his legacy within the department. Read more.
Terry Moon, Metro’s Operator of the Year
Cross-posted from Metro Matters King County Metro bus operator Terry Moon has been awarded the department’s highest honor, 2021 Operator of the Year. Moon was surprised with the recognition at a ceremony celebrating his award at Metro’s Atlantic Base. He was chosen by 84 fellow 2021 Operators of the Month as the “best of the best.” Read more.
Regional Animal Services hosts ElleVet Project
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) leaders and staff know that helping pets and people go hand (or paw) in hand, so to speak. To that end, they recently hosted the ElleVet Project, a non-profit organization that travels to various locations to help pets of people without housing. Read more.
Mack Rutherford stops at KCIA then breaks world records
Cross-posted from Plane Talk Mack Rutherford, who turned 17 while flying around the world, stopped at King County International Airport (KCIA) in early August on his way to breaking the record of the youngest person to fly solo around the world. Mack was greeted by David Decoteau, KCIA Deputy Director. Mack’s sister, Zara, also stopped at KCIA on her record-setting journey last year, when she was 19. Mack has now claimed two Guinness World Records, according to the Associated Press. Along with becoming the youngest person to fly around the world by himself, he is… Read More
Get rewarded for referring successful candidates to public safety jobs
At King County, we are one team. It’s one of our core values. And virtually every member of our team can now get directly involved in recruiting deputy sheriffs, corrections officers, and juvenile detention officers – and potentially be rewarded for it. Almost every King County employee is now eligible for a $5,000 bonus if they refer a successful candidate to our organization who is hired as a corrections officer, juvenile detention officer, or deputy sheriff. Know a friend, a cousin, or a former classmate who’s looking for a rewarding career in… Read More
King County employee performs emergency CPR on unconscious coworker
Last month, Solid Waste Division employee Kevin Dahl was unhooking his trailer before leaving Cedar Hills for his final garbage load of the night. That’s when he noticed something unusual. What he saw was a utility truck parked by the wash bays’ restrooms. Not an unusual spot to be but at that time of night most workers using those vehicles have clocked out. When he returned from the transfer station 90 minutes later to pick up his final load of the night, the utility truck was still there. Kevin had a strong… Read More
Employee News 