Transforming the hiring process with Metro
Interviewing for a new job can be nerve racking and take up a lot of personal time. King County Metro’s new creative way of transforming the hiring process provides a much more user-friendly and efficient approach to both the candidate and the employer. Despite many hiring efforts, there have been more than 40 open mechanic positions in the Vehicle Maintenance Division of King County Metro for multiple years. Now, those open positions are all filled in large part due to the new hiring fairs hosted by Metro. On October 31 – November… Read More
Recruitment and Outreach campaigns show success
In 2021, King County began to identify a trend showing the overall number of qualified job applicants significantly decreasing while the number of open vacancies were increasing. At the same time, HR professionals were transitioning to new roles or departing the County as part of an industry-wide trend largely tied to burnout. This resulted in prolonged vacancies in key recruiter positions, which in turn slowed the recruiting and hiring process. To better understand this challenge, HR Managers were surveyed in early 2022 to obtain insight and feedback on their recruitment needs and… Read More
Employee Engagement Survey postponed in 2024
King County is building a welcoming, inclusive workplace culture where every employee feels supported, respected, and valued. Actively seeking to learn and understand employees’ experiences and perspectives is crucial to this effort and central to our We Respect all People value. Since 2015, our primary tool for organization-wide employee feedback has been the annual Employee Engagement Survey. While this anchor survey has been useful in providing a once-a-year check-in with employees, we have learned that a 70-question annual survey is no longer an industry best practice. Furthermore, our current survey tool is… Read More
Refugees & Immigrants Support and Empowerment affinity group launches
The new Refugees & Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) affinity group recently hosted a Connect & Celebrate event to launch the first resource group for King County employees identifying as immigrants and refugees (I&R). This gathering marked the beginning of a series of opportunities for I&R employees to meet and network with each other, share their experiences, and find resources to support their personal and professional growth. The goal is to strengthen I&R voices in the workplace. During the Connect & Celebrate event, participants shared childhood memories of growing up in different… Read More
Executive Constantine proclaims March as Women’s History Month
King County Executive Dow Constantine has declared March as Women’s History Month in King County and encourages all county residents to honor the contributions by women to their families, workplaces, and communities. In his Proclamation Executive Constantine said, “despite the innumerable contributions women have made and continue to make, too little is taught or even known about the enormous impact women have on our collective national history.” The Proclamation also acknowledges the National Women’s History Alliance’s theme “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” and recognizes “women throughout the country who… Read More
Submit claims for 2023 FSA funds by March 31, 2024
If you still have funds remaining in last year’s Health Care or Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), be sure to get reimbursed for expenses incurred in 2023. Here’s how: Go to Navia Benefits and log in as a participant. Health Care FSAs cover a variety of medically necessary expenses for you and your eligible family members, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, and other Eligible Health Care Expenses. Day Care FSAs cover a range of services for your child, disabled spouse, or dependent parent that allow you to work, such as day care, preschool, day camps, before… Read More
New Director of Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice
King County Executive Dow Constantine has selected Monisha Harrell to serve as the Director of the Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ). In this role, Monisha will oversee OERSJ’s crucial work of advancing and embedding all of our King County values – with a particular focus on “We are racially just” – across our operations to build a truly fair, racially just, and equitable community and workplace. She will support OERSJ in advancing equality and protections for LGBTQ+ people, ensuring access and equity for people with disabilities, and the completion… Read More
Professional Development Scholarship application period begins March 4
The second application period for the 2024 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is open from March 4 to March 31, 2024. These scholarship opportunities are offered to assist eligible employees with their career development. This application period is for scholarships to pay for training courses or degree programs that begin in 2024 or have tuition and fees to pay during 2024. To apply: Visit the scholarship website and click the “Apply Here” button from March 4 through March 31. Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements before submitting. Awardees for this period will be notified via email by… Read More
Children’s books are a family affair for FMD’s Dan Cromwell
In his spare time, Dan Cromwell, Emergency Management Program Manager for the Facilities Management Division, writes children’s books. Cromwell’s work is a family affair. “My oldest daughter is my illustrator,” Cromwell said. ”My wife is my manager and helps me sell books at local events. My youngest daughter was the inspiration for the princess in my first book. So, it is definitely a family project and a labor of love.” Read more.
How an award-winning approach to workforce development produced a new generation of wastewater talent
An award-winning approach to recruiting and training talent is providing King County with a new generation of skilled tradespeople to operate the region’s wastewater system and protect Puget Sound. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the program with its National Environmental Achievement Award for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more and watch the video.
Employee News 