Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, March-April 2025
Crossposted from Metro Matters They cook, take trips and root for their grandchildren’s sports teams. They collect comic books, watch retro TV, ride motorcycles, crochet, and work with worms. Some are traveling in the footsteps of relatives who work for transit systems across the county and country. Those who ride with them say “Thanks to the operator who greets me with a big smile,” that they are “always kind and patient,” and have “Such great compassion and understanding for others.” These operators—with a combined 175 years of transit driving experience—are as unique as you. They also enjoy… Read More
Construction to clog northbound I-5 this summer
WSDOT is launching “Revive I-5” work this summer to rehabilitate I-5 and the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle. Major construction begins this July, lasting about four weeks. Work will continue over the next two years, ending in 2027. There will be significant northbound I-5 traffic disruptions this summer. During the northbound closures and lane reductions, Express lanes will stay open 24/7 in the northbound direction. 2025 key dates June 20 – 23 (Friday night to Monday morning): Northbound I-5 two-lane reduction across Ship Canal Bridge. July 18 – 21 (Friday night to Monday… Read More
Discounts for employees for Seattle Storm, The Lion King, and more
Several discounts are available for upcoming events this summer and later this year. Free admission to Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22: King County employees can get free admission to King County Day at Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22, by bringing their King County badge, displaying their King County email inbox on their phone, or displaying any other generally accepted proof of employment. Employees may bring up to five members of their family (six total free tickets). Tickets will be available for pick-up on Sunday, June 22, in front of the general… Read More
Recipient of Innovation Award for Cost recovered $5 million in delinquent tax revenue
The Personal Property Escalated Collection Team, part of Treasury Operations in the Finance and Business Operations Division of the Department of Executive Services, is the winner of the 2024 Best-Run Government Award for Cost. The award was one of eight announced by Executive Shannon Braddock on May 8. Through its Outreach to Businesses program, the team worked collaboratively with King County commercial businesses to recover $5.3 million of revenue and fees from 2023 and 2024 delinquent taxes – and reduce the portion of taxes which had become delinquent from 4.06% in 2023… Read More
June is National Safety Month, and helpful safety resources
Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and June is National Safety Month. According to Injury Facts, preventable workplace deaths totaled 4,543 nationally and serious work-related injuries totaled 4.07 million in 2023. Employer obligations include providing a safe working environment, as well as the financial support, management oversight, personal protective equipment, and tools and training staff need to do their jobs safely. Both management and workers need to do their part to make safety a core value. Together, these elements are part of a greater continuous improvement process that aims to identify safety hazards and reduce… Read More
DAJD’s Closing the Officer Vacancy Gap project receives Innovation Award for People
In recent years, law enforcement has been one of the most challenging industries for recruitment and hiring. Between 2019 and 2023, law enforcement hiring nationwide saw a 40% increase in job openings and a 39% decrease in applicants per job, creating unprecedented recruitment challenges. These trends deeply impacted King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), which experienced a rise in vacancies—from 19 in 2020 to 120 Corrections Officer (CO) vacancies by early 2024—despite record-setting hiring years in 2022 and 2023. The department also saw a high vacancy rate for Juvenile… Read More
Megan Pedersen appointed Chief People Officer for King County
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has appointed King County’s Director of Office of Labor Relations (OLR), Megan Pedersen, to the Chief People Officer role for the remainder of the Executive’s term. This follows Whitney Abram’s announcement that she is departing to Sound Transit. Whitney’s last day was June 2, 2025. We are fortunate at King County to have built a strong team with deep experience and talent, ensuring continuity, stability, and a seamless transition when employees and leaders depart. We continue to lead with our King County values, and our priority is… Read More
Support King County Parks at Cougar Mountain
The Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series, organized by the Seattle Running Club and Northwest Trail Runs, features exciting trail races in King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. This year is the 22nd running of this event. Proceeds from the series support King County Parks, with more than $254,000 donated since the start of the series. Register here to join the monthly summer trail races at Cougar Mountain. King County employees can receive a 20% discount with the code KCPEmployee_25.
New Mental Health Access Guide available for King County employees
King County employees now have access to a new tool for navigating mental health resources. The King County Employee Mental Health Access Guide provides an easy-to-use, comprehensive overview of available programs, outlining services like mindfulness, counseling, psychiatric medication management, educational classes, and more. It clearly identifies which programs offer these resources and how to contact them, making it simpler than ever to find the right support. To download a copy of the Mental Health Access Guide, click here.
Tap your King County ID or ORCA card on transit
King County Metro has resumed fare inspection, which means that Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders, including King County employees, for proof of payment. As a reminder, everyone—even riders with fully-subsidized transit benefits from an employer like King County—needs to tap their King County ID or use another payment method. As a reminder, King County employees can use their King County ID to travel anywhere, at any time, for free on transit. Tapping your card directly supports transit—and benefits you and Metro in other ways, too. For example, it lets Metro know how you… Read More
Employee News 