IT Governance: What it is and why it matters
This article is featured courtesy of Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology Governor Inslee’s investigation into the Department of Corrections’ early prisoner release issue cited “IT Governance” as a key contributing factor. What exactly is IT Governance? In short, it analyzes the need, researches the solution, takes advice from public and private sector experts, and creates an open environment to expose and fix errors quickly. More technically, IT Governance is an approach to IT solutions that integrates business needs, technology trends, innovation, best practices and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)… Read More
DES employees know hard work is worth the effort
More than 400 Department of Executive Services (DES) employees came together over two sessions on March 3 for the third annual DES All-Hands Meeting to build understanding of how DES employees contribute to the success of King County, support key priorities and how the department and the County can help them be more successful. Department Director Caroline Whalen wanted to bring the department’s employees together to build on the responses from the recent King County Employee Survey, share some successes from the department’s focus on customer service, and hear from King County… Read More
Changing management of animal services sees giant leap in adoptions
On Wednesday Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) celebrated an impressive feat: reducing the County’s shelter euthanasia rate for dogs and cats to 12 percent, down from 40 in 2008. King County Executive Dow Constantine met with animal welfare advocates at a Petco in Kirkland to commend the dramatic turnaround. The store has partnered with RASKC to showcase animals that are available for adoption, and has helped increase outreach and awareness to the overall community. “The people of King County want to know that every cat and dog has a safe,… Read More
Retirement means no coffee breaks for this outgoing employee
When most people retire they plan a big trip or some time to relax, but not outgoing Educator Consultant Chuck Davis. With his 27 years of change management and organizational development work under his belt, he is looking forward to channeling his passion into a private consulting practice. “I’ve learned and grown and matured while with the County, and I brought a certain skill set to my position, so this opportunity will be a nice marriage of the two,” he said. “I worked with employees to be more effective as a team,… Read More
New thinking finds forever homes for more animals
Helping animals find forever homes has always been the goal for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) but employees knew that they needed a shift in thinking if they were to save more animals. “I know it sounds corny but really there’s nobody there for these animals,” Lori Mason, Foster Care Coordinator and Licensed Veterinary Technician, said. “They were abandoned here for whatever reason and so all they have is us and the foster parents to find them a new life.” RASKC was formed in 2010 as a partnership between King… Read More
Featured Job: Executive Assistant – CAO
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/04/16 4:30 PM Salary: $69,846.40 – $88,524.80 Annually Job Type: Appointed Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington Department: Department of Executive Services Description: The Department of Executive Services – Director’s Office is searching for a seasoned professional to provide executive-level support to the County Administrative Officer and Deputy Director. This role involves daily interaction with the organization at all levels as well as external contacts. Successful candidates for this role will be self-starters who have excellent interpersonal skills, a keen attention to detail, an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and… Read More
Walk in the Shoes of a King County Employee – Family Law Facilitator Program
My job as King County Executive requires advocating for and balancing the needs of residents, employees, and the region as a whole. My years as an attorney working on behalf of clients taught me that fighting it out until there is a winner and a loser is usually less productive than figuring out what would work best for everyone involved. So I was excited for my first Walk in the Shoes this year – with legal staff in King County Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitator Program.
First Poetry-Based Symposium on Race and Racism Elicits Thoughtful Questions and Answers
by Donna Miscolta, Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “I didn’t expect to feel so much.” This testament to the power of the spoken word was one of several offered by the audience at the first of four symposiums on “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation” on January 12. This project, innovative in its approach to an understanding of racism, is made possible by the King County ESJ Opportunity Fund. Two poets, Quenton Baker and Casandra Lopez, presented their work to a group of 50 employees. It… Read More
Employee training spurs life changing decision
King County is inspiring. Its beauty, its people and its mission inspire King County employees to make a difference in their communities. It has even inspired outgoing employee Autumn Salamack to make a difference far away in Mascota, Mexico, about 2 hours east of Puerto Vallarta. She has taken her work with equity and social justice to heart and will soon leave King County for an adventure in the Peace Corps. Since August 2013 Autumn has served as the Sustainability Program Coordinator for King County Metro Transit. Her role soon grew to… Read More
A great place to look for love
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has recently partnered with Petco in Kirkland to bring pet adoption services to the region through the new Eastside Adoption Center facility. “We were approached by Petco to think more broadly about how we can reach the animal-loving public in King County, and an opportunity to bring dogs and cats to our pet-loving public,” said RASKC Director Gene Mueller. Located inside the Petco store, the 1,100 square foot location services many cities in the north King County region. Each animal available for adoption is originally… Read More
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