Building a cleaner future with help of fourth grade class
When Doug Marsano heard that a fourth grade class was reaching out to King County proposing a plan to clean up the Duwamish River, he instantly wanted to be involved. Contacting the teacher and Susan Tallarico, Director of the Brightwater Education Center, they organized a plan. “It was the perfect partnership,” Tallarico said. “We get to work with kids to enhance their learning and build their interest in conservation that will hopefully continue as they become adults.” Marsano, a Water Quality Planner with King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division, said that WTD and King County are always looking for ways to provide information in the most appropriate way. Sometimes, the best… Read More
Walk in the Shoes of a County Employee – Jacquie Hermer, Public Health Nurse
For my most recent Walk in the Shoes of a County Employee, I visited Jacquie Hermer, a Registered Nurse in Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Nurse Family Partnership Program (NFP). The program pairs young, low-income, first-time moms with registered nurses from pregnancy through the critical first 24 months of a child’s life. That collaboration helps transform the lives of the mothers and their children, providing support and parenting guidance for a healthy pregnancy, and the best possible start in life for the baby. This program aligns with two important areas… Read More
Bus driver is also a professional French-hornist
You wouldn’t think that being a bus driver and orchestral musician necessarily go hand-in-hand, but a new Metro Transit recruitment campaign is highlighting what’s different about its jobs by highlighting what’s different about its drivers. The new recruitment campaign highlights the pay and flexibility of driving part time for Metro, while unmasking the secret identities of its drivers. The videos focus on these drivers, allowing them to tell their story and why they are proud to be King County Metro bus drivers. In this installment of the campaign, a video called Metro… Read More
Five Questions with Jameelah Cage, Training Coordinator, Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention
1. What was your first role at King County? I started my career with King County Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention close to 15 years ago as a Juvenile Detention Officer. 2. What does your work as DAJD Training Coordinator involve? As the Training Coordinator, I am responsible for scheduling, conducting, monitoring, evaluating and coordinating trainings for employees within the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention, specifically the Juvenile Division. Within this position it is important that I research and fully understand national standards and best practices in the field of corrections… Read More
DCHS-funded August Wilson Place opens in Bellevue
August Wilson Place, named for the renowned playwright, officially opened its doors on May 26 at a grand opening celebration on the site in Bellevue. The project has a total of 57 units of housing, including 16 units set aside for individuals and families exiting homelessness. Eight are set aside for veterans and three will house families with a child with a developmental disability, thanks to a capital contribution from DCHS’ Developmental Disabilities Division. Adrienne Quinn, Director of the Department of Community and Human Services, joined members of Wilson’s family at the dedication, along… Read More
Five Questions with Karl Zimmer, Assistant Plant Manager, Wastewater Treatment Division
1. What was your first role at King County? My first role at King County was working as a Utility Worker at the West Point Treatment Plant. When I started in 1981, wastewater treatment was part of the Water Pollution Control Department for the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO). 2. What does an Assistant Plant Manager at West Point Treatment Plan do? I am one of two Assistant Plant Managers for the West Point Treatment Plant and conveyance system in the West Section. My primary role is to assist in managing the operation, maintenance, and… Read More
Kudos! Public Health nurse receives Shining Star award
The King County Nurses Association selected Christina Enriquez (pictured left) from the Auburn Public Health Center as one of its two Shining Star Award recipients at the 2015 Annual Meeting & Spring Banquet on May 7. The KCNA presents annual awards to nurses who demonstrate excellence in their areas of practice or contribute significantly to the nursing profession. In recognizing Christina, the KCNA noted that “Christina Enriquez has been a nurse at Auburn Public Health for 29 years, providing maternity support services and infant case management, including services to Child Protective Services… Read More
A moment of remembrance
Since the founding of our nation, brave men and women have fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice on battlefields near and far from home. Every year on Memorial Day, we pause to remember the more than 1.8 million men and women who have lost their lives in service to America since 1775. In mourning them, we also acknowledge the families of the fallen who share their service and sacrifice. We honor those who did not return by doing our very best to assist the… Read More
New Metro Transit recruitment campaign unmasks drivers’ secret identities
King County Metro Transit has launched a new recruitment campaign that highlights the pay and flexibility that being a part-time bus driver offers, and unmasks the secret identities of some of its drivers. The campaign features a video called Metro Secret Identity: the Photographer, which spotlights Nathan, a part-time driver and photographer, the first in a series of promotional videos. “By far the coolest and most awesome part of this job is getting to deal with all the people every day and it keeps me coming back to work every day and… Read More
Bridge Fellows graduate from development program
The first cohort of Bridge Fellows have graduated from the inaugural Bridge Fellowship program, part of King County’s commitment to empowering and developing its employees. The Bridge Fellowship program selected applicants from across the County to participate in a one-year leadership development program designed to advance participants’ careers with King County. The employees who participated in the program learned more about King County as an organization, shadowed employees in other County roles, created development plans for growth, and worked collaboratively on a team project designed to extend the knowledge of Equity and Social Justice across… Read More
Employee News 