Who is the EGP Committee? Find out!

Crossposted from KC Employee Giving If you are interested in joining the EGP Committee, know that coffee is on us! What? You read that right. A cup of coffee on us.   The King County Employee Giving Program (EGP) is currently recruiting for 5 open slots on the EGP Committee. The Committee is made up of King County Employees from across the County and provides the strategic vision of the program and are key participants in its success. Additionally, the Employee Giving Program provides leadership and development opportunities that may not otherwise… Read More

2017 MLK celebration draws crowd and highlights work being done to achieve fairness and opportunity for all

On Thursday, January 12, King County’s 30th annual  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration was held at the 5th Avenue Theatre in downtown Seattle. The celebration recognizes the impact that Dr. King had on our community and our nation, and reminds us to keep striving toward his dream of equity and justice. The event featured keynote speaker Alexs Pate of the Innocent Classrooms program, which strives to help teachers connect more effectively with students of color, and the Seattle Women’s Steel Pan Project as guest performers. For more information about the annual celebration of King County’s namesake, visit the King County website…. Read More

Beyond the Call of Duty

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories  With over 20 years in the water quality industry, Suzanne Potts, process laboratory specialist, has garnered the reputation of going “beyond the call of duty.” From mentoring new staff to being the go-to person for key projects like a Laboratory Information Management System update, she’s recognized as a role model not only for the laboratory, but for the entire utility. This is apparent by a recent award she received after being nominated by five of her co-workers. “She keeps me on my toes. Sometimes when I just… Read More

Save 30 percent on Seattle Symphony performances in January

King County employees can receive a 30 percent discount on tickets to two upcoming Seattle Symphony concert performances this January: Shostakovich Concerto Festival I and II – Held January 19 at 7:30 p.m. or January 20 at 8 p.m. Mendelssohn and Schubert – Held January 26 at 7:30 p.m. or January 28 at 8 p.m. To receive the discount, please use promo code Ludovic1617 when purchasing tickets online, via phone at 206-215-4747, or in person at the Benaroya Box Office, located at Third Ave and Union Street (hours here). Find all King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.

Improving food safety in restaurants, one smiley face at a time 

King County’s food safety employees want to ensure that the County’s restaurant safety ratings are as simple and user-friendly as possible for residents so they turned to a new system that everyone understands: emojis. “[Diners] were telling us that they wanted the information to be easy to understand, and to see it at the restaurant, helping them make decisions on the spot,” Becky Elias, Food Program Manager with Public Health – Seattle & King County, said. “People can walk down the street, see a window sign outside of a restaurant and be able… Read More

Using the sun’s energy to illuminate bus shelters

King County is harnessing the power of the sun and the innovations of its employees to provide lighting at its bus shelters. King County Metro Transit is one of the largest transit systems in the country, and its network of more than 8,000 bus stops and 1,800 bus stop shelters is growing! Metro’s employees are using solar power as a climate- and budget-friendly solution to providing lighting at bus shelters. Solar lighting is being installed in about 50 new shelters each year, as well as in another 50 shelters through refurbishment. “Solar… Read More

Kudos! Twitter shoutout to King County Sheriffs for great job!

Be Informed! Veteran Services and Benefits Lunch and Learn

Come learn about the variety of services and benefits available to veterans, spouses and dependents offered through the VA, other government agencies and local community service organizations. You will learn about the benefits and services related to housing, employment, education, medical, dental, burial and pension. You will also learn the processes used in connecting with VA benefits earned as a result of military service and receive applications for accessing these earned benefits. Thursday, February 9, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m. Chinook Building, Rooms 121/123, 401 Fifth Avenue This information will be relevant to… Read More

2016-2017 Be Flood Ready brochure in 21 languages

Flooding is the most common winter weather disaster and one which many residents are unprepared. From river flooding to urban drain and stream flooding, “Be Flood Ready” is a print resource available in 21 languages to raise awareness about available resources and best practices for reducing risks associated with flooding. The brochure is available as a PDF online at www.kingcounty.gov/floodservices or in print, by request. The web site also has videos in the same 21 languages on flood preparedness that are available for sharing to your web site, social media or in communications.

Yesler Bridge Rehabilitation Project: Reminder, January 2017

From Tuesday, January 3 through mid-February, crews will close the sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S between S Washington and Jefferson streets. This sidewalk closure is in addition to the sidewalk closure on the west side of 4th Ave S, check out the detour map here. Crews will be widening the bridge footings (beneath the sidewalk) during the weekdays, and other crews will be installing a large electrical utility duct bank next to the eastern bridge abutment on weeknights. The right lane on 4th Ave S will be closed during weeknights to… Read More