Tech Tip: OneDrive Sharing: No more anonymous access   

KCIT has removed the ability for anyone to create anonymous links within King County OneDrive sites, document folders and documents. This change aligns with Microsoft’s security enhancements for OneDrive and helps ensure our external customers authenticate when accessing information shared with them from OneDrive.    From now on, external customers who have had data shared with them from OneDrive will need to have a Microsoft Live account or an Office 365 account from their company to connect to any OneDrive data shared with them.     Existing, anonymous links shared earlier will no longer work.    Please contact… Read More

Training Spotlight: Conflict Awareness in the Workplace and Introduction to Organizational Performance Measurement

Conflict Awareness in the Workplace, April 18: We all encounter difficult people. Whether you are a supervisor, a customer service professional, or have a challenging co-worker, it’s important to know how to rise above your initial emotional reaction and turn negative situations into positive outcomes. Topics include understanding why we label people as difficult, types of difficult people, tools and techniques for resolving issues, coping strategies for dealing with the effects of difficult people, and conflict management strategies. Register and learn more. Introduction to Organizational Performance Measurement, May 8: Have you ever struggled to create… Read More

Pet of the Week: Buster 

Buster is a 4 ½ year-old, brown brindle, Pit Bull mix. His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality. Buster is an energetic guy who would love to be your hiking partner. He would also make a great cuddle buddy and he just adores belly rubs!  Read more. 

Applications open for Professional Development Scholarships

As a part of the Master Labor Agreement and Investing in YOU, applications are now being accepted for Professional Development Scholarship Awards for training that occurs anytime between May 17, 2019 and December 31, 2019. This is the third of four application periods this year. The final application period will open on July 8, 2019. Scholarship awards are only available to King County employees who are represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions and who meet additional eligibility requirements. Scholarships are intended to support employees in growing their careers at… Read More

Ukulele Club builds bonds, welcomes all

When Stef Frenzi, an educator consultant with the Department of Human Resources, saw an opportunity to strengthen team unity, improve employee engagement, and have fun at his last county role, he took it. “The thing that’s cool about a ukulele is that you can’t help but smile when you play it, because it’s a silly little instrument – you can’t take it too seriously,” said Stef. What started as a light-hearted conversation soon became a small group of people playing ukuleles together before blossoming into a movement within the workplace to bring… Read More

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside of yourself” – Oprah Winfrey 

The King County Mentorship Program provides opportunities for growth, development and support, and also helps employees achieve their career goals. The program supports mentors by providing opportunities to deepen their knowledge on a specific topic (to teach is to know), increase their reputation and influence, and the satisfaction of passing on critical knowledge important to the continued success of the county. The program supports mentees by providing a trusted advisor to urge each person to learn new things about his or herself, help make more of personal strengths and develop hidden talents. To learn… Read More

Executive Services employee represents Seattle region at Harvard Business School 

King County employee Chris Franco, a Procure and Pay Functional Lead in the Business Resource Center, was selected to attend Harvard Business School’s (HBS) Young American Leaders Program (YALP) this June, as a representative of the Seattle region. Only 10 members are chosen each year to participate in the program from select cities across the country including: Birmingham, Boston, Chattanooga, Columbus, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. “Being selected to represent the Seattle Region is a deeply humbling honor, and means the world to me,” said Chris. “We’re… Read More

A perfect fit: How King County’s Mentorship Program develops employees 

As Mary scrolled through the database of potential mentors a quote caught her attention: “I believe in having a ‘growth mindset.’ I think our potential exceeds our awareness, and the benefits of having someone guide your thinking in that direction can be incredibly helpful. Seeing someone make intentional choices about their next step in their careers will be very gratifying.” “I recognized the support I needed when I read this approach to mentoring before we were matched, said Mary Lear, Capital Project Manager, Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “Getting to meet Chris and talk to her has helped me learn more… Read More

KCIT communications employee honored for military service on International Women’s Day   

Elizabeth Inglese, a Visual Designer with King County Information Technology, was recently featured in a New York Times article highlighting women’s achievements in the military as part of International Women’s Day. As a Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Elizabeth served as the Chief Designer for the Reserve’s Centennial Commemoration Campaign, (2015-2016). Her design work appeared across America, including such locations as the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, La., the Navy Memorial Museum in Washington DC, and even Times Square in New York. “It was an honor to be selected for the job of designer… Read More

Halfway through the Employee Survey, who’s leading the participation contest?

We’re halfway through the 2019 Employee Engagement Survey and more than 4,800 employees have already had their say on their experience at King County. The survey is an opportunity to check in with you about what’s working and not working, how we can improve our services, and what we can do to help you get the most out of your King County career. This year we are running a countywide Speak Up! participation contest, with all divisions placed in contest classes with their peers by employee headcount. Those with the highest participation or… Read More