Open Enrollment is live!

Open Enrollment starts today and ends Nov. 15. To ensure you are selecting the right benefits for you and your family for 2024, learn about your choices and see what’s changing next year: All set? When you’re ready, login to PeopleSoft Nov. 1 – 15, and select the Open Enrollment tile. Make your changes, review your Preview Statement, then use the Submit Enrollment button. For help with PeopleSoft, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357. If you don’t participate in Open Enrollment… Need assistance? Contact the Benefits team: Benefits, Payroll and Retirement… Read More

Energizing! the Future

Did you know that building and facility energy use is the region’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which represents nearly half of King County carbon emissions? The continual increase in greenhouse gas emissions is a key driver of the ongoing climate crisis. The need for sustainable, regenerative, and resilient building practices is critical to curbing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a climate-friendly future. Additionally, climate change often disproportionately impacts frontline communities – communities that face historic and current inequities and have limited resources to adapt, often cited as environmental justice… Read More

It’s a whale of a job replacing the membrane filters at Brightwater Treatment Plant

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories What do whales and wastewater treatment have in common? A visit to Brightwater Treatment Plant in Woodinville explains it all. Inside the wastewater treatment plant, giant baleen-like filters are on rare display as King County Wastewater Treatment Division staff begin replacing the plant’s 48 membrane-filtration modules. Brightwater’s state-of-the-art membrane filtration system filters out bacteria and viruses from wastewater – much like whale baleen – as a last step in cleaning water before it’s piped to Puget Sound. This is the first time Brightwater is replacing its membrane… Read More

Employee notice about the KC Employee ID/ORCA pass

King County employee ORCA passes will automatically renew at the start of the new year and employees should disregard the expiration alert when tapping for use on transit. For questions or concerns, please reach out to the Employee Transportation Program coordinator at ETP@kingcounty.gov.

Annual Giving Drive: Reasons 11-13 to give

The Employee Giving Program provides thousands of ways to make a difference all through one program. During the Annual Giving Drive, King County employes have access to a wide breadth of different causes. We have spotlighted a number of organizations that represent this diversity of causes and missions. Organizations that are committed to keeping our regions natural ecosystems healthy and thriving. LGBTQ+ led organizations that create safe spaces and work for LGBTQ+ rights. Organizations that offer support and solutions for victims of domestic violence. Read more to learn about each nonprofit. You can find… Read More

Andrew Cronholm helps drive Fleet as new Deputy Director

Crossposted from the DES Express Earlier this month, Andrew Cronholm joined Fleet Services as Deputy Director. He started part time on Oct. 2 while transitioning from his role in the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget (PSB). He officially began full time in Fleet on Oct. 9. Read more.

Going all the places: Celebrating the first year of the Free Youth Transit Pass at Metro

Crossposted from Metro Matters With free fare for those 18 and under, youth have unlocked the freedom to Go All the Places, and Do All the Things! We’re proud to share with you the positive response from youth and community, one year into Free Youth Transit Pass. Youth can ride for free by using a Youth ORCA card, showing a student ID, or just getting on board on transit systems across the region. Read more.

King County receives federal grant to improve re-entry services for people being released from jail

The U.S. Department of Justice recently awarded the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget’s Criminal Legal section a $1 million grant to contract for virtual re-entry services for people being released from King County jail and people returning to King County after being release from Washington State prisons. PSB’s Criminal Legal section will use the funding to procure and implement an electronic, 24/7/365 substance-use disorder (SUD) recovery system that offers immediate and interim SUD interventions specifically designed to address the unique needs of people involved in the criminal legal system. Interventions will include evidence… Read More

Information for King County employees on the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine

Crossposted from KC Balanced You As we head into the fall and winter, the CDC has recommended that everyone six months and older, even if you have received the vaccine before, get the updated, recently released COVID-19 vaccine to protect against new strains of the virus. King County employees can access the vaccine at worksites, pharmacies, clinics, and community events. Why do we need an updated COVID vaccine? COVID-19 has not gone away, and local hospitalizations are on the rise. It is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community… Read More

Local Services team members honored for decades of service

Crossposted from King County Local Two members of the King County Local Services team recently received some much-deserved recognition for reaching impressive milestones in their public service careers. Our own Bong Santo (Sto.) Domingo and john miller were honored by King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council for their decades of service. Bong, a Community Liaison, was recognized for his 45 years in public service, including the last 27 with King County. john, who serves as our Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team Manager, was honored for his 25 years. Read… Read More