Disasters happen. Are you ready?
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month – a reminder to take action to prepare now and throughout the year for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and play. It’s important to have a family and workplace communications plan and evacuation route established. You are also urged to store food, water, first aid, and other essential survival supplies in your home and vehicle. Additionally, take time to learn lifesaving skills – such as CPR and first aid – and how and when to shut off water… Read More
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month upcoming events
National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month officially starts on September 15 and ends October 15. This month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the long and important presence and contributions of Hispanic and Latino and Latina (Latinx) Americans in North America. In line with Metro’s values of community building, shared learning, and increased understanding, employees are invited to participate in three interactive Lunch and Learn events celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. These will be held on Sept. 6, Sept. 13 and Oct. 1. For information about each event, click here…. Read More
Celebrating King County Metro named the best large transit system in North America
Executive Constantine today is hosting a celebration at Metro’s South Base to commemorate King County Metro being named the best large transit system in North America. “To our talented Metro employees, our steadfast partners, and our loyal customers: Thank you for helping us bring this prestigious award to King County,” said Executive Constantine. Below is a video that puts the award in the context of the work King County is doing in all operations to create the nation’s best-run government.
The bare bones: How WA State’s only forensic anthropologist does it all
For King County Forensic Anthropologist Katherine Taylor and her team, attempting to identify missing persons or unidentified bodies can be a slow, painstaking exercise that can take years to complete. For some cases the technology just hasn’t caught up to assist in the identification of the person, and in other cases the information doesn’t seem to piece together. There was one specific story that Katherine recalled where her team tried everything they could before finally catching a break. “First we found the cranium. Over the course of a couple months we found… Read More
Mentorship orientation dates: Sept. 26, Oct. 17, Nov. 29
King County’s Mentoring Orientation Program is a half-day session designed to prepare you for your mentorship experience. You will attend this session with your partner to learn more about yourself as a mentee or mentor, and you will create the foundation of your mentoring relationship. You will work to uncover your strengths and challenges and identify the topic for your first mentoring session. You will brush up on listening and feedback skills and you will have your first mentoring session. The goal of this session to provide you with a solid foundation… Read More
Mark your calendars: King County worksite flu shots coming soon!
Crossposted from Balanced You 2018 King County worksite flu shots for employees start next month! Brought to you by Balanced You, onsite flu shots are open to all King County employees and flu shots are provided at no cost to benefits-covered employees. Employees with no health benefits may self-pay for the vaccine (flu shots are $30 each). Flu shots are on a first-come, first-served basis. In response to employee feedback, we’ve added additional worksites to this year’s schedule: Kent East Hill Public Health, Brightwater Treatment Plant, Power Distribution and Dexter Horton Building…. Read More
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Volta’ coming to Marymoor Park Sept. 7 – Nov. 4, employees save 25 percent!
Volta by Cirque du Soleil will be at King County’s Marymoor Park Sept. 7 thru Nov. 4. Now through Sept. 9, employees can save 25 percent on tickets using this special link to purchase them. This great offer is valid only until Sept. 9. Additional offers for Volta are available here. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Results for America praises King County’s revolutionary new approach to creating community partnerships
Results for America, a national research and policy organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based policymaking, praised King County’s revolutionary new approach to creating community partnerships. Researchers cited the county’s Best Starts for Kids initiative as an effective model for making contracts with service providers more accessible, collaborative, and outcome-focused. The nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based organization is sharing its case study of King County’s new approach with cities, counties, and states, encouraging other metropolitan regions to adopt a similar model. “We made a commitment with Best Starts for Kids to transform the way we partner… Read More
Kudos! to DPER for process improvements
In the last 12 months, about 60 percent of Department of Permitting and Environmental Review’s single-family building permits have been approved in less than six weeks, a marked acceleration from the preceding 12 months in which 35 percent of the same permits were approved in less than six weeks. Additionally, card payments was launched at DPER during June 2017. Today, 45 percent of payments received for permits are made with Visa credit cards. Kudos, DPER!
Executive’s modular housing announcement generates interest
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced plans for three pilots of modular construction in a news release that was distributed Aug. 22. Several outlets picked up the story: King County will try modular housing to shelter homeless KUOW, Aug. 21 King County orders modular units for shelters and housing, Curbed Seattle, Aug. 21 Despite hurdles, King County moves ahead with $12M in modular housing for homeless, The Seattle Times, Aug. 23
Employee News 