Recipients of the 2019-2020 ESJ Opportunity Fund announced  

The ESJ Opportunity Fund is a competitive process overseen by the Office of Equity and Social Justice that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity and social justice and complement the ESJ Strategic Plan.    This year, 33 applications were received totaling more than $185,000 in requests, with a 2019-2020 ESJ Opportunity Fund budget of $75,000. This was a highly competitive process that highlights the commitment across the County to equity and social justice work, not only at the department and agency level but also of our… Read More

Featured Job: Facilities Electrician I 

Salary: $38.32 – $42.13 Hourly  Location: Seattle, WA  Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week  Department: DES – Executive Services  Job Number: 2020TM11251  Division: FMD – Facilities Mgmt  Closing: 2/20/2020 11:59 PM Pacific  Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 

Pet of the Week: Trap 

Hi! My name is Trap and I am available for adoption. My personality color is RED. I am a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality! I am still working on my manners, so I would do best with a family who is willing to work with me and help me become the best dog I can be!  Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. 

Employee discounts to Seattle Symphony for February performances 

King County employees are welcome to take advantage of discounts for upcoming Seattle Symphony performances. Use code VIOLIN20 to save 15% on Orchestra Level Seats on performances of Dvořák Symphony No. 8 on Thursday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, 8, and Mozart Concerto for Two Pianos on Thursday, Feb. 27, Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 29. Employees can also use code LOVE30 for $30 Orchestra Level Seats for The Best of Quincy Jones performances on Friday, Feb. 14, Saturday, Feb. 15, and Sunday, Feb. 16. Visit www.seattlesymphony.org to purchase tickets and for more information.    See all… Read More

Plan for more time for security screening at courthouse 

Starting Wednesday, Feb. 5, security screening at the King County Courthouse will take longer. New security equipment has been set to a sensitivity level that ensures a more thorough screening process. Items such as loose change, keys, underwire in bras and shoe shanks may require secondary screening such as wanding. To speed up the process, please remove all metals from pockets.  As a side note, beginning this Friday, Feb. 7, the Fourth Avenue entrance will open from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., and noon to 2 p.m. 

King County employee Metro commuter van pilot: Four-month update 

In October 2019, the Employee Transportation Program (ETP) launched a one-year pilot program offering 100% Metro Vanpool and Vanshare benefits to all King County employees.  Since the launch, employees formed eight new vanpools and one vanshare.  This pilot is an effort to decrease the drive-alone rate to King County worksites not served well by transit as well as provide all employees with an additional ORCA Passport fare-free mode to get to and from work. If the pilot program’s success continues through September, ETP plans to request that this benefit be a permanent transportation benefit for… Read More

Four things you need to know for the Census  

Every 10 years in the United States, a national census takes place, and King County is partnering with community-based organizations, philanthropies, other governments, and stakeholders across the region to support and promote a fair and accurate 2020 Census. Starting March 12, people will receive letters in the mail with instructions on how to complete the 2020 Census. Until July 31, you can complete the census online, by mail, or over the phone. The results inform how funding is distributed for things like our schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation for the… Read More

Redmond Youth Court participants practice restorative justice 

By Troy Brown, Communication Manager, King County District Court  Editor’s note: This article only uses first names to protect the privacy of minors. Each time 16-year-old “Mary” (not her real name) steps behind the wheel, she likely will be a safer driver thanks to lessons she learned at her Redmond Youth Court hearing. Redmond Youth Court is a student-led organization that works with King County District Court to hear real cases of traffic citations issued to 16- and 17-year olds by Redmond Police within the City of Redmond, offering them an alternative to… Read More

Update on novel coronavirus, February 4

On Friday, the federal government declared the new (novel) coronavirus a public health emergency in the U.S. and announced a series of restrictions on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals entering the U.S. after trips to China, which took effect Sunday at 2 p.m. PST. While government officials stress that the risk to the general U.S. public continues to be low at this time due to the small number of cases in the United States, the global situation continues to change rapidly. Public health officials here and around the world continue to be… Read More

777X first flight lands at King County International Airport 

Crossposted from DES Express  In a long-anticipated trip delayed two days by windy weather, Boeing’s new 777X took its first flight on Saturday, Jan. 25 from Paine Field in Everett. It landed about four hours later at King County International Airport (KCIA), after flight testing over Eastern Washington and a flight-to-flight photo session over Mount Rainier. The jet roared down the runway, leaving a trail of spray from the rain as it ended its journey.  At least 40 media representatives – videographers, photographers and reporters – stood in a roped-off area near the… Read More