New ‘loop’ system at Metro customer service office helps deaf or hard of hearing bus riders

Crossposted from Metro Matters Bus riders who are deaf or hard of hearing and use cochlear implants or hearing aids now can use a newly installed hearing ‘loop’ system at King County Metro’s Customer Service Office at 201 South Jackson Street in Seattle. The induction hearing loop system allows customers who use the system to better communicate with Metro employees when they are buying or reloading ORCA cards or getting other help to better ride Metro. Installing the induction hearing loop system demonstrates Metro’s continued commitment to accessibility for all of our… Read More

Get ready to ShakeOut on October 20

King County will participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, October 20. At 10:20am, a PA announcement will go out in most County buildings, asking you to Drop, Cover, and Hold On just like you would do in a real earthquake. Expect more information about the drill in next week’s Employee News. For details about the Great Washington ShakeOut, visit http://www.shakeout.org/washington.

Social Media Spotlight: EcoConsumer Twitter

The King County WA EcoConsumer public outreach program, in the Solid Waste Division, deals with the environmental impacts of our purchasing decisions and daily activities. It offers programs and resources to help King County residents balance consuming and conserving, to change their behavior and encourage others to help prevent waste. Follow EcoConsumer on Twitter today! Click here to view all King County social media pages.

Sharing our know-how across the globe

Crossposted from King County Wastewater Treatment Division Many developing Asian countries face unique challenges delivering quality wastewater services. In an effort to mentor these communities, a team of Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) employees participated in information sharing with a growing utility called URENCO in Dong Hoi, Vietnam. After visiting Vietnam, Dave Jurgens, reliability engineer, realized it’s not only an infrastructure challenge, but also one of culture. “The treatment plant is within a river delta with a lot of farmland. Waste is conveyed primarily from Dong Hoi, a fishing town of about 120,000 people,” he said…. Read More

Best Starts for Kids gets started

Joined by members of the King County Council, Executive Dow Constantine signed Best Starts for Kids. The voter-approved levy will invest nearly $400 million in child and youth development across King County over the next six years. View the video below to watch the ceremonial bill signing.  

Kudos! Management team volunteers time to United Way Day of Caring

Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter Members of the Department of Community and Human Services’ management team participated in the annual United Way Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 23. The staff met at 8:30 a.m. at the Children’s Therapy Center (CTC) in Kent, WA and spent the day improving the CTC campus.  Some of the team spent the day cleaning and sanitizing the children’s toys and playrooms and other interior spaces. Others worked outside to spruce up the CTC grounds, lawn mowing, weed whacking, pruning hedges, raking, seeding, and sweeping…. Read More

Mark Isaacson selected as Wastewater Treatment Division director

Mark Isaacson will become the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) director beginning October 10. Mark has been the director of the Water and Lands Resources Division (WLRD) for the past 11 years, leading a large number of environmental programs and seeing the division through tough economic times and on to a period of growth. Mark has established a very stable division with multiple revenue streams. Prior to leading WLRD, Mark was the assistant division director and prior to that worked in the WTD for three years leading the implementation of the division’s productivity… Read More

Your home, your stream, your future

Join us in developing the Bear Creek Watershed Plan! Learn about living in or near the Bear Creek Watershed and how stormwater is managed affects you, your property, and the health of Bear Creek. The workshop will be held Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Woodinville City Hall, address is 17301 133rd Ave NE Woodinville, WA 98072. King County and its partners are collaborating to reduce stormwater pollution and restore and protect stream habitat in the Bear Creek basin. Hear about our work over the last two years,… Read More

Wet and windy weather is here!

Wet and windy weather has arrived and is expected to worsen over the coming hours. Please prepare for possible disruptions and delays in this evening’s commute and again this weekend as we face two consecutive storm systems forecast by the National Weather Service. High winds and rain might create potential travel delays, power outages, and temporarily closed roads. The King County Department of Transportation recommends Metro bus and water taxi riders and people who travel unincorporated county roads monitor weather reports and connect to information available from King County, including travel alerts. Resources… Read More

Inclusion Works!

In observation of King County’s Disability Awareness Month, we would like to highlight a success story in progress …and an employer who is taking steps to ensure a more inclusive and diverse workforce that recognizes the professional contributions of individuals with behavioral health disabilities. Meet Nick… Nick is an Inventory Specialist at Amazon who ensures that multiple Amazon locations are fully stocked with supplies for his hard-working colleagues. He recently celebrated nine months as a full time Amazonian, and has received praise from his supervisors. Nick moved to Seattle in 2006, looking… Read More