Revive I-5: Find Your Way webinar series
Starting in March, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin a three-year project to rehabilitate and preserve I-5 through Seattle. The project will require sections of I-5 to be reduced to two lanes for up to nine months each year, starting with Northbound construction along the aging Ship Canal Bridge. This preservation project is critical for keeping people and goods moving safely for decades to come. Commute Seattle, a transportation news blog, is here to help businesses and destinations find their way through this construction period with the Revive I-5 webinar series. Tune… Read More
Is your office prepared for emergencies?
Crossposted from the DES Express Did you know that the Department of Executive Services’ (DES) own Fleet Services Parts and Materials (formerly “Stores”) offers individual employee “GO Kits” for emergencies? The red backpacks contain three separate kits for survival, personal hygiene and first aid. The disaster backpacks contain enough supplies to last three days in case of an emergency, such as water and snacks. The DES Director’s Office recently ordered kits for each employee in the office. “I was providing emergency preparedness training to the Director’s Office and our staff expressed an interest in… Read More
Jan. 30 is the third payday of the month
King County employees have a biweekly payroll schedule and get paid every other Thursday. Most months have two paydays, but some months have three and Jan. 30, is the third payday of the month. This year, there are 27 paydays. If you view your paystub, you may see that the net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks is larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks. While you are in in PeopleSoft, it’s… Read More
First 2025 Professional Development Scholarship launches Jan. 27
The first application period for the 2025 Professional Development Scholarship Program opens Jan. 27 through Feb. 28 for training that begins in 2025. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2025 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition. The Scholarship Program is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU and is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications. To learn more, please visit our… Read More
Submit nominations for the Executive’s 2024 awards
The nomination period for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards is Jan. 13 through Feb. 21. The annual awards honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and performance. Any King County employee can nominate a team or individual for an Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award. This is an opportunity to recognize outstanding project teams and leaders who: Create value for the customer Deliver measurable improvement results Apply innovative solutions for achieving results Nominate someone and learn more information here.
Airport employees prepare for snow
Crossposted from the DES Express Much like pilots of the Navy’s Blue Angels, operators of King County International Airport’s snow removal equipment assemble regularly for drills. They practice their formations, with snow plow blades tipping like wings, swiveling during turns. Each huge Multi-Tasking Equipment (MTE) lines up behind and to the side of the one in front, plow blades overlapping just a bit, so they can most efficiently remove snow when it arrives for real. “We’re practicing the route as if there was snow on the ground,” said MTE Operator Kyle Renner…. Read More
$26 million in affordable housing investments awarded, creating 939 homes across the region
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $26 million in funding for nine affordable housing developments that will generate 848 new homes, 66 renovated rental units, and 25 new home ownership units across King County over the next five years. The investments prioritize affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and locations close to public transit. King County’s Housing Finance Program (HFP) – managed by the Department of Community and Human Services through its Housing and Community Development division – invests in affordable housing development and preservation throughout the… Read More
Records Management Reminder: Required Steps when Exiting Employment
Throughout the last several years we’ve seen an ongoing trend of lots of turnover – many employees are retiring or transferring to different positions, and many new employees are coming onboard. These transitions are a great time to be thinking about our important records. Did you know that there is an Executive Policy that requires that all employees leaving their county positions perform certain steps with their records? Did you know that other people (such as Supervisors) also have certain responsibilities and steps in that process as well? The good news is that we have resources… Read More
Active&Fit Direct change and new Optum One Pass Select program
Kaiser Permanente has phased out the Active&Fit Direct program and has introduced a new program called One Pass Select by Optum. The Optum One Pass Select program is available to Kaiser Permanente members only. This subscription-based fitness membership and well-being network is designed to support a healthier lifestyle. Members have unlimited access to all gym locations available within a selected plan, extensive digital resources, and more. The Active&Fit Direct program is now available to Regence members only. If Kaiser Permanente members signed up for the Active&Fit Direct program prior to Jan. 1,… Read More
Employee dental plans provide free checkups
Oral health is an important part of overall well-being. That’s why King County offers comprehensive dental care for employees and their family members. Most King County employees have access to two dental plan options: Delta Dental PPO and Cigna Dental HMO (offered only to the Regular & Transit ATU 587 employee benefit groups). These plans cover a wide range of services, including preventive care, diagnostic services, and restorative treatments. Preventive services—such as routine cleanings, exams, and x-rays—are key to maintaining oral health. These regular check-ups help catch issues such as cavities or… Read More
Employee News 