New Equity Tool brings community considerations to decision making  

King County’s Office of Equity and Social Justice has created a new Equity Impact Awareness Tool in partnership with Headwater People to ensure that impacts on low income communities of color are fully considered by the County in its COVID-19 mitigation strategies and decision making.   The tool was initially created to address the concerns of community members who were worried that the County would make decisions about quarantine and isolation facilities without considering the burden that will fall on communities who are vulnerable to the health and economic crisis.   Janine Anzalota, Equity and Civil Rights Manager for… Read More

My Secure Advantage: New May webinars and COVID-19 financial resources 

As the number of businesses affected by the coronavirus continues to rise, so do the financial impacts on countless employees.  My Secure Advantage (MSA) remains steadfast in its commitment to provide responsive, relevant personal financial guidance to employees and their families throughout this crisis and the better days to come.     Register now for new May webinars  Navigating your Finances in Unpredictable Times: May 1, 2020, 9 a.m. Register here.  Investor Education: Managing your Money in Volatile Markets: May 1, 2020, noon. Register here.  Tips for Major Purchases: May 12, 2020, 9 a.m. and noon. Register here.  I Want… Read More

Black/African Affinity Group finds strength  

At King County, having a community to connect with is crucial, even more so in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the County’s Employee Resource Groups, or Affinity Groups, are helping employees support one another. The Black/African Affinity Group centers on providing employees with a community platform. Historically, the focal point of African American life has centered around community such as family, churches, neighborhoods, and organizations, providing a way to connect, share resources, and share knowledge. “Our goal in our Black/African Affinity Group is to bring collective souls together for one purpose…… Read More

Learning about your benefits: Life and disability insurance 

In this short video, learn about the life and disability insurance options available to you as a new employee, during qualifying life events, and during Open Enrollment.  This video is part of a short created to help employees make informed choices about their options, and better understand their employee benefits package. View all the videos here, and get more information and resources on the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement website. 

Featured job: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner – Covid-19 Response Recovery Centers 

Salary: $42.69 – $60.09 Hourly  Location: Multiple locations in King County, WA  Job Type: Short Term Temporary, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary  Department: DPH – Public Health  Job Number: 2020NH11611  Division: Community Health Services  Closing: Continuous  Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 

Vanpools for just 2+ riders available for essential workers 

Crossposted from Metro Matters  To support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, King County Metro is offering essential workers the opportunity to form temporary vanpools with as few as two riders.  Metro Vanpool is a commuter service using Metro vans for small groups of people – normally five or more coworkers, friends, or neighbors – with a similar origin or destination.  Read more from Metro Matters

Not seeing friends and family is hard, but it’s worth it 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Grandparents miss cuddling their grandbabies. Teens miss hangouts and deep talks with their closest friends. We miss seeing our siblings and cousins, best friends, barbers, co-workers, teachers, and gym buddies. Everyone is feeling the strain from the lack of in-person interaction that makes life rich and full. COVID-19 is taking a toll, and we all want life to get back to normal and to spend time together face-to-face.  As much as we yearn to see our loved ones, there’s a lot at stake if we let go of… Read More

Public records during COVID-19 

COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we work, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that we are stewards of the public’s records. As such, we must maintain both good records management practices and provide timely responses to requests for public records, whether those come from the public directly, or through a public records officer (PRO) or coordinator. King County’s Executive Branch has received over 100 public records requests specific to COVID-19. The PROs coordinating these requests are working to collect responsive records as efficiently as possible while trying to minimize disruptions to the… Read More

Third payday of the month, April 30 

Almost all King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month, but April 30 will be your third payday of the month.  The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks.  For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper. 

Showing up for community in a time of confusion and need

King County employees are finding new ways to serve their community during the COVID-19 outbreak by applying for temporary assignments through the Emergency Deployment Program. Josephine Wong, whose regular job is as the Deputy Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS),is temporarily overseeing one of the County’s isolation and quarantine locations for individuals who cannot safely self-quarantine or isolate in their own home, or do not have a home. Her position oversees employees who have deployed through the program as an Emergency Site Worker IV. “This program is saving… Read More