It’s Electric! Brand new battery bus charger debuts as study touts climate, health benefits of electric transportation; King County Executive Constantine honored with award
Crossposted from Metro Matters By Jeff Switzer It’s another first at Metro and in the country: A fast-charging station for battery electric buses debuted at Bellevue Base this week, newly installed in a bay where buses are cleaned and fueled each day. Having a charging station installed above the service bay makes it unique in North America, according to electric battery bus manufacturer Proterra. The move makes for efficient and effective maintenance and recharging. It also replaces a slow-charge old-school plug that maintenance staff used to use to recharge battery electric buses…. Read More
Walk in the Shoes – Cynthia and Dynese
County employees do amazing work on behalf of our residents, which I was able to see firsthand in May when I visited King County’s Youth Services Center (YSC) to walk in the shoes of Juvenile Detention Nurse Cynthia Marino and Juvenile Detention Supervisor Dynese Greer. They help youth in King County who enter the criminal justice system leave it with a better chance of living a happy, productive, successful life. Accompanied by Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, I met with Juvenile Detention Deputy Director Angela Toussaint who gave us access badges for… Read More
Balanced You Worksite Fund applications due by noon Monday, July 30
When it comes to health, one size never fits all. Some of us work on buses or drive trucks, and others work in treatment plants or offices. Balanced You is working to offer more choices that take into account where, when, and how we work. The Balanced You Worksite Fund is an exciting new program to help you and your coworkers bring your own good ideas and solutions to life. When you apply for a Worksite fund grant, you have an opportunity to create positive change. Applications are due by noon Monday, July… Read More
Sheriff’s Marine Rescue Dive Unit trains on Snoqualmie River
The King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Dive Unit deploys specially trained and equipped deputies who are responsible for water-related law enforcement, investigations, rescue and recovery work. Members of the Marine Rescue Dive Unit train for marine rescues twice a month to be ready when a swimmer needs them. KIRO 7’s Allison Grande caught up with Sgt. Mark Rorvik and Deputy Chris Bedker on the Snoqualmie River during their last training session. “I think rivers, they’re inherently dangerous unless you have specific training and the right equipment,” said Rorvik in the KIRO… Read More
Training Spotlight: Igniting Employee Development and Introduction to Strategic Planning
Igniting Employee Development and Introduction to Strategic Planning are two trainings we’ve had in our spotlight this month, and there are still seats available! Learn more about and register for Igniting Employee Development and Introduction to Strategic Planning on Eventbrite before the sessions fills up, and – the web site is back up! – visit Learning and Development on KingCounty.gov to learn more about trainings and other opportunities to invest in YOU!
Accomplished artist brings “East Base Flair” to transit center
Walking into the Metro Transit East Base in Bellevue can be disorienting. The facility is large, with buses and equipment scattered throughout and people moving busily as they go about their work. The sound of drills are heard in the background and the smell of a mechanic shop tickles your nose. Beautiful, hand-painted signs adorn the entrance to each work station and stand out among the otherwise generic facility walls. These signs were created by Don Charbonneau and are part of what he calls “East Base flair.” Charbonneau, who works in the… Read More
Keep cool when the heat is on!
We are expecting more hot weather this week and next. Now is a great time to remember that, although the sun is beautiful, it can make our work environment warm and uncomfortable for some. The Facilities Management Division is committed to your safety and comfort at work, and to running King county buildings as efficiently as possible. To help us all keep cooler as the weather heats up, here are a few tips: Close the blinds in your work area to reduce sunlight streaming in. Keep windows and doors closed when the… Read More
Employee Discounts to 2018 Washington State Fair
Washington State Fair: Employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Aug. 31 – Sept. 23. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you are logged into the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code. See all available employee discounts here.
CHOMP!, King County’s celebration of local food and sustainability, returns Aug. 18 with Matisyahu, Caspar Babypants, more
Shared from the DNRP Newsroom CHOMP!, a full-day celebration of local farming, food and sustainability, returns to King County’s Marymoor Park on Saturday, Aug. 18. Now in its fourth year, this fun, family-friendly event is hosted by King County Parks and is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring cooking demonstrations from Beecher’s Foundation Sound Food School, hands-on workshops to make you a better backyard farmer and gardener, kids’ activities, a farmers market, live entertainment, and so much more, CHOMP! is a free all-day event that will inspire, entertain and feed… Read More
Investing in water quality, one community at a time
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories When it comes to making a big impact on the environment, sometimes it pays to think small. King County’s WaterWorks Grant Program began in 2015 to kick-start investment in hyperlocal projects that improve water quality and encourage community partnerships. Through a sense of purpose and the dedication of countless volunteers, our WaterWorks grants are supporting the kind of environmental progress that makes our neighborhoods – and our region – an even better place to live. Take for example how a former parking lot in Kent was transformed… Read More
Employee News 