Wastewater Treatment Division reaches out for input on accessibility options at a popular trailhead
by Monica Van der Vieren, Communications Specialist, Department of Parks and Natural Resources What is the first King County agency that comes to mind when you think about accessible recreation? You probably didn’t say the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD). But WTD’s Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Project team is focused on that important topic right now and looking for input from the community. WTD’s pipes thread their way throughout the region, moving wastewater from city systems to treatment plants. Pipes run through parks, under trails, roads, and streets, across tidelands and wetlands…. Read More
Standing against racism, discrimination, and violence
by Dow Constantine, King County Executive As we work to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we stand together against the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and the rise of aggression, racism, and violence aimed at Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. We are always stronger together. That is the promise of our diversity and shared future. We are again witnessing how racist rhetoric locally and nationally is fueling fear, separation, and blame, and harming individuals, children, and communities. These incidents of hate and bias are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated…. Read More
Celebrating Black History Month: The face of change
As a symbol, King County’s logo remains a powerful daily visual reminder for what Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy stands for — past and present — and the values of racial justice and advocacy for fair and equal treatment of people of all races, that he represents for our community and government. “During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced…. Read More
Fa’amomoi Masaniai to become first court judge of Samoan heritage in Washington state
Originally posted in a District Court News Release of Jan. 27, 2021 After serving as a pro tem judge in numerous municipal courts in King and Pierce counties, Judge Fa’amomoi (“Moi”) Masaniai will join the King County District Court bench in February. The King County Council appointed Judge Masaniai at its January 26, 2021, meeting to fill a judicial vacancy in the court’s Southwest District. Active in the Puget Sound Region’s Pacific Islander Community, Judge Masaniai is believed to be the first judge of Samoan heritage to serve on the bench of… Read More
Please join me today, Jan. 14, for MLK Day Celebration
Dear fellow King County employee, I am writing to invite you to the 2021 King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration today, Thursday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. While public health guidance won’t allow us to gather in person this year, I, along with the MLK Celebration Planning Committee, the Black/African Affinity Group, the Native American Leadership Council, and Council Chair Claudia Balducci, are hoping that you will join us to honor the life and legacy of our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event comes… Read More
Our democracy remains strong in the face of violence
Dear fellow King County employee, Today we witnessed disgraceful, disturbing scenes of violence and lawlessness in our nation’s capital. This attack on our democracy is, sadly, not totally unexpected, and is the manifestation and culmination of the last four years of lies, misinformation, and hate. It is unacceptable. It is un-American. And it must end. Our democracy will outlast this event. We will continue to live by the values that we all hold dear. We will remain focused on the issues that matter to us. We will move forward and build a… Read More
Caroline Whalen receives Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award
Crossposted from DES Express Caroline Whalen, DES Director and Chief Administrative Officer for King County, recently received the prestigious Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award. King County Executive Dow Constantine presented the award to Whalen, recognizing her for following in the footsteps of former Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, the driving force behind Lean and continuous improvement for nine years at the County. “Throughout her 26-year county career, Caroline has been a leader who truly embodies our values, one who leads by example with both words and actions,” Constantine said. “Caroline was an early… Read More
Thank you to you, our employee audience
Our top stories and videos for 2020 Throughout 2020, the Department of Human Resources Employee Communications Team highlighted the professional accomplishments and successes of our employees, resources to help them navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, learning and advancement opportunities, and important events. These were shared in our twice weekly Employee News newsletter, the KC Employee News blog, and the King County Employees YouTube channel. Additionally, these same stories were also shared on the KCEmployees Twitter account and the King County, WA LinkedIn account. Thank you to all our readers for engaging with our content, sharing it… Read More
Executive Constantine on the adoption of $12.4 billion biennial King County budget: Putting our money where our values are
“I thank the King County Council for their careful deliberations since I transmitted my proposed two-year budget in September. I also want to recognize the many community members who participated in hearings and other venues to get their voices heard. “This budget puts our money where our values are. It will provide a safe, dignified place to live to thousands of chronically homeless people. It re-orients our criminal legal system and makes a significant down payment in our ongoing efforts to shift resources to upstream programs aligned with racial and social justice. … Read More
Medical benefits for transgender employees
King County provides comprehensive benefits and services to support the health and well-being of eligible employees, retirees, and their dependents, and now offers enhanced medical benefits for transgender employees. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, King County expanded its medical plans’ coverage policies for transgender employees and their covered family members. King County has covered gender confirmation surgery and hormone replacement since 2015, but starting in 2020, we are covering additional gender-affirming procedures and treatments to comply fully with World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) standards, including procedures most insurers exclude. This week,… Read More
Employee News 