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.”

King County Water Taxi recognized for innovation and efficiency

Denmark, Italy, Newfoundland, Spain, Washington – wait, what? While this could easily be an alphabetical list of random locations, it’s actually where a few of the Best Passenger Ships of 2015 are located. According to Marine Log, an international publication out of New York City, the MV Sally Fox, the first of two new water taxi ferries recently acquired by the King County’s Marine Division, is one of nine vessels worldwide to receive this honor. It does so because the ship and its crew are focused on providing passengers with an efficient… Read More

Team player makes waves, uses military background to connect with County values

In the world of radio communications it’s essential to have a solid team to work with. People who will step up to the plate and get the job done well, whether it’s refurbishing old technology, or preparing for a new, county-wide innovative project. William (Rich) Richardson is just one of those guys, a total team player who goes the extra mile. A retired Army first sergeant, Rich is now a Radio Shop Supervisor and has been with King County Radio Communications since 2005. He is a decorated military veteran with extensive travel… Read More

IT Governance: What it is and why it matters

This article is featured courtesy of Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology Governor Inslee’s investigation into the Department of Corrections’ early prisoner release issue cited “IT Governance” as a key contributing factor. What exactly is IT Governance? In short, it analyzes the need, researches the solution, takes advice from public and private sector experts, and creates an open environment to expose and fix errors quickly. More technically, IT Governance is an approach to IT solutions that integrates business needs, technology trends, innovation, best practices and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)… Read More

Employee training spurs life changing decision

King County is inspiring. Its beauty, its people and its mission inspire King County employees to make a difference in their communities. It has even inspired outgoing employee Autumn Salamack to make a difference far away in Mascota, Mexico, about 2 hours east of Puerto Vallarta. She has taken her work with equity and social justice to heart and will soon leave King County for an adventure in the Peace Corps. Since August 2013 Autumn has served as the Sustainability Program Coordinator for King County Metro Transit. Her role soon grew to… Read More

Featured Job: Business and Finance Officer I

Opening Date/Time: Fri. 01/22/16 12:00 AM Pacific Time Closing Date/Time: Wed. 02/03/16 4:30 PM Pacific Time Salary: $29.82 – $37.80 Hourly Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Location: Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, Washington Department: Department of Community & Human Services Description: The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, self-reliant and connected to community. This position is being created to support the new Best Starts for Kids fund. The position will be responsible for day to day accounting transactions,… Read More

Featured Job: Housing Finance Program Manager/Project Program Manager III

Opening Date/Time: Wed. 12/23/15 12:00 AM Pacific Time Closing Date/Time: Fri. 01/15/16 4:30 PM Pacific Time Salary: $76,897.60 – $97,468.80 Annually Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington Department: Department of Community & Human Services Description: The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, self-reliant and connected to community. King County faces unprecedented affordable housing issues.  Amidst tremendous growth, in places both obvious and hidden, many in our community are struggling to meet… Read More

2015 MLK Celebration focused on voting rights

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed not possessing the right to vote was similar to enslavement. “[A right to vote] enables all Americans, most especially those who have been denied other rights, to participate fully in their community, this country and our world,” said Maria Gitin, the Keynote speaker at King County’s 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, held on Thursday, January 15, at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Gitin joined the civil rights movement in 1965 at the age of 19 to work for the Summer Community Organization and Political Education… Read More

Five Questions with Theresa Roscoe, Career Support Services Manager, Human Resources Division

1. What was your first role at King County? I began my career at King County 25 years ago as a temporary receptionist for the Office of Civil Rights, after identifying the County as an organization where I felt I could learn and further my career.  During my career at King County I worked in Human Resources, the Executive Office and in Transit. 2. What do you do as Manager of Career Support Services? My role is to manage the day-to day activities of the Career Support Services staff. As part of my… Read More