Local Hazardous Waste Management Program aims to remove dangerous chemical by 2025 from dry cleaners
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) project to transition dry cleaners from using perchloroethylene (PERC) to professional wet cleaning technology has successfully transitioned the first five cleaners. “PERC is a common dry cleaning chemical linked to cancer, liver damage, and neurological problems,” said Ashley Pedersen, policy liaison for LHWMP. “Approximately 190 former and current dry cleaning sites in King County have been contaminated by PERC. The national average cost of clean-up is $200,000” There are about 75 dry cleaners in King County that use the dangerous dry-cleaning chemical PERC to clean… Read More
An honest, open look at progress of our Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan
Dear fellow King County employee, King County has just launched a new public reporting website for our Equity and Social Justice 2016-2022 Strategic Plan to help us monitor, track and share our work to advance equity and social justice in our community. Unlike most governments that use websites as a trophy case to highlight success and ignore challenges, we are offering a comprehensive, transparent view of our work. I invite you to explore this new site; you will see that we are not tackling only the easy-to-fix problems and, consistent with that, we… Read More
Finding hope and raising awareness during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Dear employee, September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and recognize that suicide prevention works, help is available, and recovery is possible. Suicide has warning signs, and I encourage you to take the time to learn them. Connecting to help for yourself, a loved one, or a colleague can make the world of difference. Effective and compassionate resources are available, 24 hours a day, and many people have found hope and support through them: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Making Life Easier: Call 24 hours a… Read More
My 2019-20 proposed biennial budget
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I transmitted my 2019-2020 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. It is a budget that tackles major issues facing our communities, including homelessness and reforming the juvenile legal system. It preserves and protects more of our region’s natural resources and beauty on land and water. It restructures county government so we can serve our customers even more effectively. And it makes sure Metro Transit continues to serve an ever-increasing number of riders. Some of the highlights include: $12 million for modular congregate shelters, micro dwelling… Read More
Pet of the week: Bruno
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC This handsome fellow is Bruno, our Pet of the Week! Bruno came to us as a stray. Although we don’t know his history, Bruno’s caregivers have noticed that he enjoys the company of people. He just needs some time and patience to adjust to his new surroundings and human friends. Bruno is not an overly “touchy” guy, but he does appreciate a few pets here and there. This could change with time, but for now he just needs some space. Read more at Tails from RASKC
Training Spotlight: Excel: Level 1 and Overview of the PeopleSoft Database
Excel: Level 1, Sept. 26: Learn techniques for entering data into cells, working with data, and using data tables more efficiently. Discover how to finish your workbook and how to navigate and get help in Excel 2013. This class will also cover basic techniques for filtering and limiting data that can be entered into individual cells. Learn more and register on Eventbrite. Overview of the PeopleSoft Database, Oct. 1: The Human Resources Division has scheduled training about the PeopleSoft Database. It is open to experienced PeopleSoft users who wish to learn about the data sets… Read More
Featured Job: Public Information Officer (Communications Specialist IV)
Salary: $85,015.00 – $107,762.00 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: Department of Transportation – Transit Division Job Number: 2018DS08646 Closing: 10/1/2018 11:59 PM Pacific King County Metro seeks a Public Information Officer (PIO) who has a passion for clear communication, a strategic mindset, and a love of working with the media, politicians and the general public. The PIO is one of two spokespeople for King County Metro who shape the external voice of Metro by developing, coordinating and disseminating information to the media and the public. The PIO develops and maintains relationships… Read More
Congratulations to DCHS Director Adrienne Quinn
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog Today King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Director Adrienne Quinn has accepted a new position at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance as a Distinguished Practitioner (a faculty post). We are deeply grateful for Adrienne’s leadership with our department and with Best Starts for Kids. Under her leadership and vision, we’ve launched the most comprehensive approach to childhood and youth development in the nation, living into our equity and social justice values at… Read More
Council establishes new Department of Local Services
Crossposted from Inside Transportation by Harold S. Taniguchi, Director, King County Dept. of Transportation, Local Services Transition Lead On behalf of all who work with residents of unincorporated King County, I want to thank members of the Metropolitan King County Council for unanimously adopting an ordinance to make our new King County Department of Local Services a reality. As you can see in this statement from Executive Constantine, this Council action now leads us into the budget process. The Department of Local Services (DLS) will be funded with existing revenues, and the Executive will now include… Read More
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employee receives Department of Defense Patriot Award
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) gives employees the opportunity to nominate an individual supervisor or boss for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. Dan Clark, a supervisor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was recently presented with a Patriot Award for his support of King County employee and Army Reserve Sgt. Thomas O’Ban. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Phil Sanders, ESGR member. Read more in the original story to appear on… Read More
Employee News 