Three things we did to make contracting more equitable
By Office of Equity and Community Partnerships, Public Health – Seattle & King County Sometimes systems that were intended to create fairness backfire. Organizations and vendors should have equal opportunity to bid for government contracts, so government agencies typically use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in an attempt to open up contracting. But in reality, this process can add to disparity. For example, if you are a small organization or business, you probably don’t have dedicated staff who can easily respond to RFPs. Even for highly capable staff, it can be daunting and… Read More
Keeping KCCF orderly and fun: Ting Chou marks 25 years with King County
By Christina Lorella Kuzu, Communications Specialist with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention You can find Ting Chou at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) every Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, making sure officers and residents get what they need. From stocking supplies to fulfilling resident kites (a written request from a person in custody), his role as a records unit support clerk is important to jail operations. Ting also makes it his unofficial duty to guarantee that coworkers don’t take themselves too seriously. “We know when he’s… Read More
Discount tickets for the Taste Northwest
The Taste Northwest is back! King county employees can enjoy food, fun, and entertainment at discounted prices. Go to TheFair.com/Corporate, click ‘Buy Tickets Online’, then enter the access password: king24. Note: Enter your log in twice – once to access and once at check out. You will not see your discount until you enter the code at check out. The code is the same for each entry. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Kelly Rider appointed Director of the Department of Community and Human Services
Executive Constantine has appointed Kelly Rider Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Since February, Kelly has served as Acting Director of DCHS and previously served as Chief of Staff, where she oversaw legislative efforts, policy development, strategic partnerships, and investments in our region. In her seven years with DCHS, Rider has built lasting relationships with human services providers and jurisdictions across King County, and helped advance key initiatives, including Health Through Housing and the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy, renewed for a fourth time last year. Read more.
King County adding Wilburton Trestle to Eastrail
A public-private partnership that includes Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, Amazon, the City of Bellevue, Kaiser Permanente, and the King County Parks Levy started transforming the 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge that will be added to the emerging 42-mile Eastrail. “We’ve built strong partnerships to transform the historic Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge for Eastrail,” said Executive Constantine. “Creating a regional trail that offers healthy, reliable, scenic connections to some of the world’s leading job centers, vibrant cities, and light rail service demonstrates what we can achieve when we align… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could be more effective in bringing much-needed talent on board if it could speed up the recruiting process and build equity practices into every step of the… Read More
Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Annual Report
The Annual Report highlights the Hazardous Waste Management Program’s services, accomplishments, and financial status for 2023. Read about how the Program reduced toxic exposures, held product makers and sellers responsible, and put innovation into action. Read the report here.
A cyclist’s haven: Take a ride on the Burke-Gilman trail
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider As spring ends and summer begins, we’d like to bring to your attention a fantastic biking trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and a few bike safety tips along the way. The Burke-Gilman Trail is a cyclist’s haven, providing commuters with a smooth, uninterrupted route. Its 20-mile stretch connects various neighborhoods, allowing riders to bypass traffic and avoid the stop-and-go of city streets. This seamless experience saves time and enhances safety, as cyclists are less exposed to the risks associated with urban traffic. The trail’s well-maintained path and excellent wayfinding ensure that cyclists… Read More
Watch 2024 State of the County address on June 11
King County Executive Dow Constantine will deliver his 2024 State of the County address during the King County Council meeting on Tuesday, June 11, and employees are invited to watch the address live from their workspaces. You can watch Executive Constantine’s address streaming live on this webpage and on KCTV Channels 22 and 322 (HD). The Executive’s remarks will begin around 2:30 p.m. Every year, during the State of the County address, Executive Constantine discusses the condition of our County and outlines his priorities to the people of King County. Video and the text of the… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. Delays in the hiring process can result in the loss of talented candidates to other organizations or opportunities, making it harder to fill critically important positions. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could… Read More
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