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

Living Well workshops offer an easy way to manage long-term health conditions

Crossposted from Balanced You Are you living with an ongoing health condition such as diabetes? Or maybe you watch your spouse or partner deal with issues such as arthritis or high blood pressure? Balanced You sponsors workshops that are led by volunteers who teach you simple ways to manage your chronic health condition. These volunteers are trained and have dealt with managing long-term health conditions themselves so they have a true understanding of the challenges you face. Read more. As a benefits-covered King County employee, you and your spouse or partner covered… Read More

Kudos! to DNRP’s Solid Waste Division

The Solid Waste Association of North America announced last month SWD’s Factoria Replacement Project is the recipient of the SWANA Gold Excellence Award in the Transfer Station category. The King County Solid Waste Division has received national recognition for its newest recycling and transfer station, which advances the division’s commitment to environmentally and economically sound solid waste management. The new station replaces the old with a 78,200-square-foot LEED gold facility. Constructed in four phases and sequenced, the facility maintained service to customers throughout construction. The winners will be acknowledged and awarded at… Read More

Metro driver Mark George honored for pulling two people from burning vehicle

Crossposted from Metro Matters By Scott Gutierrez, King County DOT King County Metro bus driver Mark George didn’t hesitate when two people in a burning car needed his help. On the evening of May 12, George was driving his usual route near the Eastgate Park-and-Ride when an oncoming vehicle lost control while turning and collided with the side of his bus. The car ricocheted into a boulder wall and caught fire. George quickly checked on his passengers and rushed to the other vehicle with a fire extinguisher. He doused smoke rising from… Read More