Five Questions with Lilly Simmering, Food Economy Program Manager, Department of Natural Resources and Parks
1. What does your role as food economy program manager involve? My main job duty is to shepherd King County’s new Local Food Economy Initiative. Part of that involves creating awareness of the initiative and its goals throughout King County and assembling a prestigious group of private, public, and non-profit stakeholders to form the Kitchen Cabinet, an advisory panel to the Executive on how we can achieve the goals under the initiative. I will also complete any necessary research and help put into action processes that are essential to moving the initiative… Read More
Employees partner to produce career expo for veterans
When the Washington State Convention Center started to see more veterans applying to their job openings, they realized they wanted to do something to help veterans improve their job seeking skills. So, they teamed up with King County Veterans Program and WorkSource Seattle-King County to put on a Career Expo for Veterans and their spouses. “This partnership reflects a strong local commitment to our veterans and the sense of community we are building around them,” said Nancy Loverin, the King County Veteran’s Program Manager and the acting workforce development services administrator with… Read More
Thanks to County support, a new department takes shape
One year ago, a rare event took place in King County government: A new department was added to the county’s roster. The Department of Public Defense came into being on July 1, 2013, when nearly 400 public defenders, mitigation specialists, investigators, paralegals and support staff transitioned from one of four nonprofit law firms to County employment. The creation of the department occurred after a ruling by the state Supreme Court in a long-contested class-action lawsuit; according to the high court, the public defense employees were “arms and agents” of the county and… Read More
Nine selected for Bridge Fellowship pilot
Nine employees from across King County have been selected to participate in the inaugural Bridge Fellowship Program as part of the County’s commitment to provide leadership and development opportunities to employees. This year’s Bridge Fellowship participants are: Debra Baker, Project Manager, DPD Markeith Blackshire, Park Specialist II, DNRP Sung Cho, Social Worker, DCHS Leeza Jones, Assistant Accountant, DES Daniel Kenny, Mechanic, DOT Ebony Martin, Personal Recognizance Investigator, DAJD Barbara Pastores, Transit Operator, DOT Kimberlee Sawyer, Wastewater Treatment Operator, DNRP Bill Stockman, Transit Superintendent, DOT The nine fellows were selected in April from… Read More
Drug Court employee helps offenders get lives back
Working as a King County Drug Court Case Manager is Yuka Hayashi’s dream job. “I am so happy that I’m here,” Hayashi said. “It’s such an opportunity to work for a program that helps so many people. There are people who walk in to the program that are so broken down. They have no family, no home, their health is bad— they have nothing. We have the opportunity to give them all these resources and I see people’s lives change.” Hayashi works with defendants enrolled in the King County Drug Diversion Court,… Read More
Healthy Incentives focuses on education at Express Market
The Healthy Incentives team knows health is more than just achieving bronze, silver or gold. “We care about people’s health overall, not just having them get to gold,” Lindsey Hoeft, a Healthy Incentives health educator said. One way Healthy Incentives is promoting overall health is by having a booth at the Seattle City Hall Pike Place Express Market this summer. “A lot of our King County Employees visit the market, so we thought this would be a good way to get people to try some new things and promote the fresh, local… Read More
Awesome ad campaign aims to keep non-flushables out of toilets
With the help of a Macklemore parody titled “Flushing Awesome,” the King County Wastewater Treatment Division hopes to save $120,000 in annual wastewater treatment costs. The TV, radio and bus ad campaign, includes two colorful cartoon “music videos” — one a parody on Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop,” the other “One to Flush” inspired by “A Chorus Line.” “Not gonna flush my trash/ only put TP in my toilet/ I-I’m not gonna cause a sewer backup/ This is flushing awesome,” the cartooned ad sings. The goal of the comedic campaign is to get King… Read More
Working as “One King County” brings healthcare enrollment success
The broad, county-wide participation of all King County departments and agencies, the committed and supportive leadership, and Public Health – Seattle & King County as a strong coordinating organization helped make the first season of healthcare enrollment a success in King County. More than 165,000 King County residents signed up for low-cost or free health insurance during the six-month period ending March 31. A report by Elizabeth Ambriz, a Public Health intern and Masters of Public Health Candidate at the University of Washington School of Public Health, found that the coordinated efforts of… Read More
Walk in the Shoes of a County Employee – Christopher Skilton, Public Health, Food and Facilities Protection
For the most recent participant in the Walk in the Shoes of a County Employee, I chose Health and Environmental Investigator Cristopher Skilton from the Public Health department’s Food and Facilities Protection section. As someone who enjoys dining across our region, I was interested to spend a few hours with a restaurant health inspector learning how King County works with restaurants to keep the public healthy and safe. As I experienced Chris’ day-to-day routine, I learned that the investigator’s role is much more complex and collaborative than it’s traditionally been. We began… Read More
Summer heat is here – help FMD keep you cool!
We’re expecting our first taste of real summer-like temperatures this week. The Facilities Management Division (FMD) is committed to your safety and comfort at work, and to running King County buildings as efficiently as possible. To help us all keep cooler as the weather warms, here are a few tips: Lower the blinds in your work area to reduce sunlight streaming in Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is on Dress for the weather conditions Turn off unnecessary lights, and unplug unused electrical equipment For a reminder, feel free… Read More
Employee News 