From the Hip: Pat McLaughlin, King County Solid Waste Division Director
‘Book ‘em’, and they will come We are in the midst of collecting responses for the 2016 Employee Engagement Survey. I cannot express just how important it is for each and every one of us to complete this survey (I know I’ve already submitted mine). As King County Executive Dow Constantine has shown, your opinions directly influence the changes division, department, and county leadership implement to make your work life more enjoyable. The Solid Waste Division is no exception, and for the past four years we have used the results of the… Read More
Executive Unveils $11.3 Billion Proposed Budget
On Monday, King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his 2017-2018 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. The proposed $11.3 billion, two-year budget invests in Metro Transit, human services, and other important programs that reflect the values of King County residents and again maintains costs below the rate of population and inflation. Find out more by watching the Executive’s address below or read more on the budget website.
Social Media Spotlight: King County Sheriff’s Office Twitter
Ensuring the safety of people in King County is the top priority of the KCSO. We aim to do this in a respectful manner based on our core values of leadership, integrity, service, and teamwork. Every employee is expected to provide the best customer service by working with you to address your concerns. Follow the King County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter today! Click here to view all King County social media pages.
Running Club an outlet for exercise and rejuvenation, allows employees to go the extra mile
“We know that because of their participation in running club, employees are less stressed and taking better care of themselves,” said Seth Watson, Human Resources Service Delivery Manager. “They’re also more productive and so employee engagement goes up.” “If we have engaged people, then we are going to do our jobs better.” The running club is divided into two groups. The Chinook Building group runs every Monday and Wednesday, leaving the bike storage room at 12:10 p.m., and the King Street Center group which runs every Wednesday, leaving from the Activity Center… Read More
Draft Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2022 available
We are proud to share with you our draft King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, 2016-2022. This plan, our first for Equity and Social Justice (ESJ), builds on the good work that we have been doing in ESJ and pushes us to become even more thoughtful, strategic and effective. This Plan also lays out the values that we have co-created with employees and community partners and addresses the need to be inclusive, collaborative, responsive, adaptive and people-focused. Fundamentally, we are moving towards becoming a racially just organization. Our ESJ strategies… Read More
Poets highlight impacts of oppression and the media portrayal of people of color
by Kirsten Garcia, Department of Natural Resources and Parks This summer I’m interning with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks in the Wastewater Treatment Division. I’m providing cross-sectional support to the Environmental and Community Relations and Finance and Administration sections on policy changes, planning outreach, communications, and budgets. In my first week with DNRP, I assisted with and observed the June 15 poetry symposium on “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation,” an Equity and Social Justice project created by the Wastewater and Solid Waste divisions. About 90… Read More
Kudos! Rider appreciates KC Metro driver for patience
This bus rider values the friendliness and courtesy of his bus driver, and appreciates that little bit of extra time the driver allows for those people running to catch the bus. Kudos to this bus driver for a job well done in connecting with the community and keeping riders safe and happy as they start the day!
ESJ Fairs draw crowd, offer fun mix of activities and facts
The second of three Equity and Social Justice Fairs, held Monday, May 16 was a loud, crowded success. With more than 15 groups represented, attendees milled about, chatting and participating in various activities. Spin wheels, pop quizzes and jeopardy-like games attracted people to displays for the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Department of Public Defense, and Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget among others. Each display did a wonderful job of engaging passersby in discussions, asking questions and handing out informative one-page updates around ESJ efforts. Using all kinds of colorful… Read More
One-on-One: Veterans program builds on military expertise and experience
Adjusting to change can be hard. Moving, starting a family or going back to school are difficult transitions. Returning to civilian life after spending time in the military is equally, if not more challenging, especially when it comes to getting a job. King County’s Vets 4 HIRE Fellowship Program tackles this issue head on, allowing veterans to transition to civilian life by connecting them with skill-building experiences at King County. With each department able to identify and create a fellowship position, the opportunities are endless. Furthermore, the Veteran and Human Services Levy… Read More
Newly-elected assessor works in a King County state of mind
When new King County Assessor John Wilson was elected last November, he was very clear about his goals. “We want to embrace the Executive’s issue of being the best-run government and be recognized nationally as the best assessment department,” he said. “We can do this by setting fair and equitable property values, and creating and sustaining a stable revenue stream for the government to operate.”
Employee News 