Supervisor Spotlight: Highlighting those who keep us moving

Crossposted from Metro Matters Expert Metro staff work tirelessly to deliver service across 150 routes and over 300,000 boardings a day. You don’t see them, but they’re essential to making sure your trip goes smoothly every day. They help train the operators you see everyday, keep track of buses throughout the region and support drivers and the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are the supervisors, instructors, and coordinators who put their backgrounds from other fields into good use. We want to introduce you to the staff that… Read More

Career Connections: From intern to Chief of Staff

Crossposted from DES Express Danielle Lucero and Nicole Way both serve as Chief of Staff in the Department of Executive Services, with Lucero in the Director’s Office and Way wrapping up a special duty assignment in the Facilities Management Division (FMD) as Deputy Director/Chief of Staff. What does it take to become Chief of Staff at King County, a position that involves finance and budgeting as well as government and legislative relations? Both Lucero and Way started in entry-level, temporary positions and worked their way up. Lucero started at the county as… Read More

Mark your calendar: The 2025 Annual Giving Drive is almost here!

Get ready to rally around the causes that matter most—King County’s Annual Giving Drive kicks off Sept. 29 and runs through Nov. 14, 2025. This King County tradition is more than just a fundraising campaign; it’s a celebration of community, compassion, and collective impact. Each year, employees come together to support organizations close to their hearts, making a difference both locally and globally. Whether you’re a longtime participant or joining for the first time, this is your chance to be part of something meaningful and fun. Let’s make 2025 our most generous… Read More

My 2026-2027 proposed biennial budget: Message from Shannon Braddock, King County Executive

Dear fellow King County employee,  Tuesday I transmitted my 2026-2027 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. It is a budget that prioritizes key investments in public safety, housing, and behavioral health while preventing devastating cuts to critical services thanks to a new revenue source. The budget also prepares King County for uncertainties surrounding future federal funding.  My 2026-2027 budget proposal protects core services to ensure safe, vibrant, and healthy communities where everyone can thrive. It also creates efficiencies and invests in proven programs serving those in need. By proposing… Read More

Zero Waste Washington concludes farm plastic waste reduction project that illuminates both barriers and potential solutions for reducing plastic waste on local farms

Crossposted from Keeping King County Green The ubiquity of plastic and the efforts to manage it sustainably is a difficult challenge for farmers to tackle. From greenhouse film to packaging materials, plastic is everywhere, and while these materials are crucial for farm operations, options for conveniently disposing of plastic products are limited. Plastic materials used on farms are typically shut out of recycling streams due to contamination from soil and plant matter, leaving farmers with few choices other than to dispose of them in landfills or let them pile up on their… Read More

Opening Oct. 1 –  IT Helpdesk “Walk-Up Window” at Chinook, 7th floor

For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window on the 7th floor of the Chinook Building starting Oct. 1. KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or connectivity issues. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window. For faster service, please submit a ticket before going to the IT Helpdesk window (if possible). You can visit both IT Helpdesk Walkup Window locations at the Chinook… Read More

Monitoring in action: Turning employee engagement data into countywide action

Jyoti Karna from the Performance and Strategy (PSB) team recently interviewed with Kira Newman, Employee Experience Manager at the Department of Human Resources (DHR), to learn how the Employee Engagement Survey is transforming feedback into action across all 16 departments. The survey, now powered by Qualtrics, provides dynamic dashboards and actionable insights that feed into enterprise strategies like Equity, Racial and Social Justice (ERSJ), Best-Run Government, and the People Strategy. With support from departmental Engagement Champions and EIB Managers, the survey process embeds equity, democratizes data access, and drives team-level action planning. Read… Read More

Lisa Pearson on board as new FMD Director

Crossposted from DES Express Courtesy of Facilities Management Division Lisa Pearson has joined the Facilities Management Division (FMD) as the new Director. Her first day was Sept. 15. Pearson spent 26 years in the federal government, with the last nine years serving as Deputy Regional Commissioner and then Regional Commissioner for the Public Buildings Service (PBS), which is a service of the General Services Administration (GSA). “In those roles I worked with a team of six divisions who delivered real estate and facility programs and services in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington… Read More

Department of Local Services Employee Spotlight: Code Enforcement Officer Jancarlo Guerrero

Crossposted from King County Local You might have heard of code enforcement officers, but did you ever wonder exactly what exactly a King County code enforcement officer does? Today, the Department of Local Services introduces Jancarlo Guerrero, Code Enforcement Officer with the Permitting Division. He talks about his job, what a typical day of work might look like and how he approaches community members in contentious situations. Watch the video here:

Emergency preparedness: Stay informed and get involved  

September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you, your family, and community prepare for emergencies, and stay safe if one occurs. Making a plan and building a kit are key elements in emergency preparedness along with: Stay Informed: Know who to turn to for updates, alerts, and warnings during an emergency Get Involved: Talk to your neighbors about sharing resources during an emergency  Whether you’re at home or at work trying to provide essential King County services during an emergency, staying informed and getting involved is critical. They can make a difference in how well and how… Read More