King County Deferred Compensation Board seeks employee representative

The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board is seeking an applicant to fill an open position on the Board. The position is open to current King County employees who are participating in the Employees Deferred Compensation Plan. The term for this position is three years and runs through December 31, 2024. The plan is governed by a nine-member Board, including seven who are current employees and two who are retired. Board expereince is not required, but they Board is looking for a new member who has one or more of the… Read More

Health Hero Kanesa Monroe balances work and parenting in the pandemic

During Black History Month, Balanced You is excited to recognize our many talented Black employees in different bodies of work around the county. Health Hero, Kanesa Monroe, is a single mother and a LAN Administrator Journey with KCIT. In this video, she talks about working on the onboarding management system, while juggling being a mom and making sure her daughter gets the attention she needs. Click here to watch the video to learn more of Kanesa’s story and hear her advice to all parents who are working from home during the pandemic.

Black History Month Stories of Hope: Naisha Williams

The King County MLK Day Committee is sharing Stories of Hope first presented during the 2022 Martin Luther King Day celebration in honor of Black History Month. Watch this video to meet Naisha Williams, a Manager in Public Health working on the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program, as she shares her story of hope.

Join King County’s ‘Stream Team,’ the environmental scientists who hunt for bugs to monitor the health of local watersheds

King County is tracking the health of local watersheds by deploying a small, elite team of young environmental scientists who capture and study bugs in local streams. Recruiting for the 2022 Stream Team roster begins soon. Each summer, the paid Environmental Aides put on boots and waders to bushwhack their way to 200 streams throughout the county to collect samples as part of an ongoing research project to track trends on water and habitat health. Cick here to watch a video to learn more about the program and how to apply.

Black History is American History — Ride Metro to visit local African American historical sites

Cross-posted from Metro Matters In a collaborative project, community activists, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and King County Metro created 40 photo murals installed in seven bus shelters in the Central District recognizing the living legacy of African Americans in this community—shelters you of course can reach by bus. Click here to read more about these installations and how to experience other historic locations in the community. 

Have you had your COVID-19 booster shot?

Boosters significantly cut down your risk of getting severely ill. You’re eligible for a booster if it’s been at least five months since your primary vaccination series with either Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since your Johnson & Johnson vaccination. Free Community Vaccination Centers Community Vaccination Centers are open for first dose, second dose, and boosters for adults and children. Federal Way Performing Arts Center now through Feb. 18, and Feb. 20 to Feb. 28 from noon to 7 p.m.  Appointments and drop-ins are welcome. Click here to schedule an appointment. Auburn Community Vaccination… Read More

Executive proclaims February to be Black History Month in King County

King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2022 to be Black History Month in King County. Established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States. The 2022 Black History Month theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, honors the legacy of not only Black scholars and practitioners in Western medicine, but birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, and herbalists, and… Read More

Better cybersecurity, fewer password resets

Password resets every 90 days have been an essential part of our cybersecurity and compliance routine for decades. But starting this February, expired passwords will become less frequent thanks to modern cybersecurity practices such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Instead, King County employees will only receive password reset prompts when our system detects a security incident has compromised your current login info; at that point, you’ll need to verify your identity with MFA and immediately set a new password before you’re allowed to log in. “About 15 percent of KCIT’s daily calls are… Read More

Meet the Benefits and Retirement Navigators

Navigators are available to help you understand the complexities of your robust King County employee benefits and learn everything you need to know about preparing for retirement. The Benefits Navigator and the Retirement Navigator are part of the Department of Human Resources’ Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Operations Section and they are available year-round to talk with you about your benefit and retirement-related questions and concerns. Benefits Navigator Matt Munson: Matt.Munson@kingcounty.gov Talk with Matt to learn more about: Employee benefit choices New employee benefit education sessions Selecting a medical plan that fits your… Read More

Make your nominations for Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards 

Nominations are now open for the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards  to recognize individual employees and workgroups whose innovations and improvements are delivering excellence for our customers, our organization, and our region.  This year, we will honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity in the past 12 months. We have three award categories: Innovation awards for Cost, Equity and social justice, People, Service, and Sustainability; Leadership Excellence awards for people leaders and individual contributors; and the Road to Excellence awards for divisions that achieve one of three… Read More