Look for Open Enrollment information
Check your home mailbox for important benefits and Open Enrollment information mailed recently to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. Open Enrollment takes place Nov. 1 – 15 and is your opportunity to: Change medical plans—Check plan quality and performance scores and use the Plan Comparison Charts and other resources on the Medical plans page to evaluate your options. Consider whether Kaiser SmartCare or KingCare Select (Regence) makes sense for your family. These plans will likely save you money, with lower deductibles, copays, and Benefit Access Fees. The Washington Health Alliance’s… Read More
Required Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Training coming soon
As part of our ongoing effort to build a safe, welcoming, and supportive workplace for every King County employee, this fall we are offering training for all King County employees, which includes a short video and an online course, on reporting processes, roles, and responsibilities under the County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment & Inappropriate Conduct Policy, Procedures and Responsibilities. As a member of our organization, you have a defined role in the Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment & Inappropriate Conduct Policy to prevent, report, and act on behavior that is not in line with our expectations of employees…. Read More
Disability Awareness Month: Reasonable Accommodations in King County Superior Court
by Linda Ridge, Chief Administrative Officer, and Ronda Bliey, Public Access Specialist – King County Superior Court Access to justice is a fundamental right of all people; however, for individuals with a sensory, cognitive, or physical disability, seeking access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that people with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system[1]. Recognizing the important role that accommodations play in providing access to justice for individuals with disabilities, King County Superior Court… Read More
Join our Team: DAJD Recruiters make a pitch
For Corrections Officer Edward Duenas, this career fair was on familiar ground. Duenas retired from an Army career out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Since then, he’s worked eight-plus years as a King County corrections officer. So the recent event at JBLM’s American Lake Conference Center came naturally. “I know the lingo,” Duenas said, as he prepared to field questions from the soldiers and Air Force personnel milling about the room. “To me it’s a little easier.” King County’s Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD), like other corrections agencies near and… Read More
Supporting people with disabilities through the 2021 Annual Giving Drive
As part of the 2021 Annual Giving Drive, we are highlighting nonprofits whose work supports people with disabilities. These and hundreds of nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. The ARC of King County (9233) – Serving individuals and families with intellectual and develpmental disabilities through case management, peer support, leadership training, and advocacy. Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (9267) – Empowers people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech differences through advocacy, early education, audiology, speech therapy, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting. SKCAC Industries & Employement Services (9758)… Read More
Employee vaccination clinics provide over 1,800 COVID-19 vaccine doses
As the COVID-19 vaccine became more widely available, it became clear that to best support essential workers who have complex schedules and shifts, King County would need to bring the vaccines to worksites. Through a collaborative partnership with Public Health – Seattle and King County, their vaccine partners, and King County labor unions, onsite clinics provided 1,877 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to County employees and their loved ones between April 9, 2021 and Oct. 2, 2021. King County Metro led the way, hosting 31 clinics that provided a total of 1,582… Read More
Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award presented to John Diaz
The final honoree of the 2020 King County Leadership Excellence Awards, receiving the Fred Jarrett Award, is John Diaz, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). The Fred Jarrett Award honors a department or division leader who is outstanding in their work and embodies the Executive Branch values, striving to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. In the short time he has been with King County, John has shown he is open to new ideas, and ready to take on tough challenges… Read More
KCC 2.15 training: Protecting immigrants, refugees, and limited English speakers
On Feb. 26, 2018, the Metropolitan King County Council adopted ground-breaking immigration legislation designed to protect everyone’s safety and civil rights. While still adhering to federal law, King County Code 2.15 Immigrant, Refugees and Language Access Ordinance (KCC 2.15) prevents the use of County funds and resources on federal immigration enforcement and outlines the steps the County uses to protect immigrants and refugees seeking services from the County, or who are victims or witnesses of crime. “This legislation was developed with consultation from community organizations and leaders that advocate for equitable public… Read More
Security Tips: Password Safety
Creating strong passwords should be the number one priority in keeping your online world safe. Having weak passwords could result in stolen identities, loss of data or money, and even the loss of a job and/or reputation. You’ve likely heard recommendations for creating secure passwords before. Experts suggest using long, complex, and random combinations of words, letters, numbers and special characters. Follow the tips below to improve your password safety practices: Improve the strength of your passwords. Strong passwords are usually made up of at least eight characters. They should contain numbers,… Read More
Superior Court program supports jurors with disabilities
It began with a 2019 court case. A blind juror was selected with a commitment from both sides that their witnesses would be descriptive enough to work with the juror. In this case, the lawyers were enthusiastic to make it work. And according to King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan, a judge has a duty to “figure out a way to make it work.” But the juror’s ability to hear descriptive evidence wasn’t the only issue. Jurors are required to take notes on a court-issued notepad and they’re not allowed to… Read More
Employee News 