Now open: King County surplus ‘pop-up’ shop
Always wanted to call dibs on King County surplus items but couldn’t find an hour or two out of the office to do so? Don’t fret. This week, the King County Surplus Program opened a new “Pop-Up” shop intended to help County employees who work in and around the Seattle Core claim surplus items. The shop is located at on the second floor of the 420 4th Ave. building, across from the Administration Building. The entrance is located off Jefferson Street. This week, the shop will be open from 10 a.m. to… Read More
Pilot aims to reduce vehicle congestion at hiking trailheads
King County has just launched Trailhead Direct, a pilot project sponsored by King County Parks and Metro’s Community Connections program, to help people get to hiking destinations in the Issaquah Alps and along I-90 without needing a car. Hikers can park their cars or catch the bus to two locations – Issaquah Transit Center Bay 5 and Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride Bay 1 – and get dropped off at one of three trailheads: Margaret’s Way Trailhead, Poo Poo Point Trailhead, East Sunset Way Trailhead, connecting hikers to more than 150 miles of hiking trails. Trailhead Direct… Read More
Confronting climate change aboard a floating classroom
Crossposted from Inside Transportation The King County Water Taxi functioned as a floating classroom recently for a firsthand lesson on how King County is confronting climate change. On an unusually hot day on the waterfront, in the midday hours when our vessels are docked, the Marine Division hosted 13 high-schoolers from the Woodland Park Zoo’s Seattle Youth Climate Action Network (Seattle Youth CAN). They boarded the Sally Fox for our new “Floating Classroom” program, designed to engage students of all ages in environmental and climate change education, and introduce them to internship and job opportunities in both King County… Read More
Puget SoundCorps helps stomp out knotweed
Crossposted from the Noxious Weeds Blog Each year, the King County Noxious Weed Control Program gets a great boost of support from the Puget SoundCorps, a branch of the Washington Conservation Corps’ AmeriCorps Program. Just when we need it most, a crew of six hardworking young adults heads out to help us tackle some of the county’s toughest noxious weeds. This summer, the crew is spending fourteen days battling knotweed on three sites along the Snoqualmie River* under the guidance of Justin Brooks, riparian team lead for the Snoqualmie River. I met up… Read More
Metro’s top bus driver is cheerful, patient, considerate
Quick as a wink, he climbs out of the driver’s seat to help a passenger with her grocery bags. Riders know him by his cheerful smile and say he’s friendly and courteous, and that he looks out for riders who are older and need a helping hand. He even eases the stress riders feel when the whole bus is stuck in congestion. Meet James Turner. At a surprise ceremony today, Metro officials, Turner’s fellow bus drivers and his family shared stories of his kindness and kudos from riders spanning 35 years as… Read More
Walkpools, stepping in a safer direction
The hustle and bustle of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists in and around our worksites is an everyday reminder that King County employees’ safety should not be overlooked. Safety Labor/Management Committee member GIS Specialist Gunnar Goerlitz is spearheading the coordination of Employee Transportation Program (ETP) Walkpool, a new buddy-up initiative that helps organize employees in numbers. “King County employees, we’ve been listening! Some of you have said you’d feel more comfortable walking to and from work with a buddy or two,” Gunnar said. “The ETP Walkpool option intends specifically to address employee safety… Read More
Powering engagement by focusing on growth and development
Thanks to an Engagement Action Plan focused on the growth and development of employees, Metro Transit’s Power and Facilities Section is serving customers more effectively and efficiently by helping employees grow and maximize their potential. Power and Facilities is a 24/7 operation that maintains the integrity and overall appearance of passenger facilities. Any time day or night employees can be found power washing and emptying garbage receptacles at bus shelters; inspecting, maintaining and repairing trolley bus components; landscaping and maintaining park and ride lots and transit centers; keeping signs readable; and performing… Read More
Job Fair connects White Center teens with employers
The fourth annual Peace ‘N’ the Hood Basketball Tournament at Steve Cox Memorial Park underwent a shakeup with a new component added to benefit teens in White Center: a job fair tailored for teens ages 16-24. Representatives from 30 employers and employment resources participated in the job fair and the attendance goal was nearly doubled, with 150 teens taking part. DNRP Customer Services Coordinator Jody Addicks works at the White Center Teen Program, where the job fair took place. “Justin Cox, who works at Southwest Youth and Family Services and also works… Read More
Leadership transition at KCIT
Dear fellow King County employee, Today Bill Kehoe, Director of our Department of Information Technology, announced that he is leaving King County to pursue a new opportunity that builds on what he’s accomplished here at King County. Bill has led the transformation of KCIT into a technology leader, one that was recently recognized as the 2017 Best IT County in the Nation by the 2017 National Association of Counties. As KCIT Director and Chief Information Officer, Bill turned KCIT into a strategic business partner for all branches of King County. He oversaw… Read More
Celebrating the employees who restored West Point
On Aug. 10, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Mark Isaacson, Director of the Wastewater Treatment Division, and employees at the West Point wastewater treatment plant for their annual summer potluck to celebrate their commitment and dedication to clean water. Employees worked around the clock to restore normal operations following the Feb. 9 flood at West Point, and the treatment plant is again meeting strict water quality standards. People worked long hours, often in very challenging conditions during the restoration. Employees willingly stepped forward with a spirit of service that is truly inspiring…. Read More
Employee News 