Celebrating another year of achievements

Dear fellow King County employee, At the end of each year our team takes a moment to review what we have achieved together in the previous 12 months, and looks ahead to what we want to accomplish during the coming year. Each year, looking back, I am astounded by the breadth and impact of our achievements, and 2018 is no exception. This year King County Metro was named the best large transit system in North America. We launched our Road Map to Zero Youth Detention, with the goal that every young person… Read More

Pet of the Week: Beau 

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC  Sweet senior Beau is our Pet of the Week!  This handsome boy is gentle and loving, and likes to take things slow. He may get nervous in new situations, and is looking for a family who understands he may need some time to warm up. Once he gets to know you, though, Beau will be a very devoted friend!  Read more from Tails from RASKC

Featured Job: Economic Development Program Manager 

Salary: $97,219.20 – $123,219.20 Annually  Location: Seattle, WA  Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week  Department: Department of Transportation – Director’s office  Job Number: 2018MCK09050  Closing: 1/6/2019 11:59 PM Pacific  The Economic Development Program Manager is a key resource within the Department of Local Services and will provide strategic planning, coordination and support for economic development activities within unincorporated areas of King County. This new position will work out of the Director’s office, reporting to the External Relations Manager, and will provide leadership in the development of innovative economic development programs and… Read More

Kudos! DPER employee appreciated by customer! 

Pesha Klein, an Environmental Scientist with the Department of Permitting and Environmental at the Vashon Island Office, received the following note of appreciation from a visitor to the Vashon Office:  “Thank you very much for your insightful assistance today. I came in there expecting to hit a wall and leave frustrated. What I found was just the opposite. You were entirely helpful and actually concerned that I was taking in all the information that you shared with me. Yes I did, yes I have and I am moving forward. All the best!”  Kudos to Pesha for… Read More

Did you know you had this benefit? King County offers medical coverage options for employees who are retiring 

If you retire before age 65, King County offers two types of coverage, COBRA and Retiree Medical. Learn more here.

Achieving net-zero at King County Parks North Utilities Crew Shop 

Crossposted from Keeping King County Green  How do you solve a problem like achieving net-zero energy use? If you’re the King County Parks team working at the North Utilities Trails Crew Shop near Marymoor Park, you do it through solar panels, new lights and efficient heat pumps and air conditioners. By utilizing these tools they were able to solve the design and financial puzzle of achieving net-zero energy on two buildings with limited roof space available for solar power.  For their efforts the Parks team was awarded the inaugural King County Executive Performance Excellence… Read More

Solid waste management equipment highlighted for Star Wars resemblance 

My Northwest recently ran a story that highlighted “The Mole,” which was a piece of equipment used by the Solid Waste Division back in the 1960s. The Mole bears a striking resemblance to a prop used in Star Wars, and the article sought to get to the truth. Read the full story here. Learn more about how the trash-eating monster was once used to clean up King County in the video below.

Go Public with Hannah 

This week our ongoing series featuring employees talking about why they chose a King County career and how they are making a difference in our community features Hannah Johnson, a Communications Specialist with the Best Starts for Kids Program in the Department of Community and Human Services.   Learn more about our careers at www.KingCounty.gov/jobs.

Public Health Actually: What we love about 2018 

Crossposed from Public Health Insider  Love is all around us–at least love for public health, that is! We’re nearing the end of 2018, and that means it’s time to look back at our department’s hard work with partners throughout the year for a healthier community. Peruse our (not exhaustive) list of achievements, but before you do, take a few moments to watch a video inspired by the 2003 holiday-themed romantic comedy, Love Actually, that celebrates our staff and our mission – and has a little fun along the way.  Read more at Public Health Insider

Celebrating the successes and challenges of working women 

The recently held Washington Women in Trades “Dream Big Dinner” honored the legacy of “Rosies” – a nickname for “Rosie the Riveter” – women who worked in factories during World War II. The award ceremony recognized the successes and challenges of working women, as well as students, advocates, and workplace leaders. The event was attended on behalf of King County by Joe Baca, a Community Workforce Agreement Administrator in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Wastewater Treatment Division, and Samantha Kealoha, Labor Equity Program Manager with the Department of Executive Services Finance and Business Operations Division. The two were… Read More