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Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
Monitoring in action: Turning employee engagement data into countywide action
Jyoti Karna from the Performance and Strategy (PSB) team recently interviewed with Kira Newman, Employee Experience Manager at the Department of Human Resources (DHR), to learn how the Employee Engagement Survey is transforming feedback into action across all 16 departments. The survey, now powered by Qualtrics, provides dynamic dashboards and actionable insights that feed into enterprise strategies like Equity, Racial and Social Justice (ERSJ), Best-Run Government, and the People Strategy. With support from departmental Engagement Champions and EIB Managers, the survey process embeds equity, democratizes data access, and drives team-level action planning. Read… Read More
Lisa Pearson on board as new FMD Director
Crossposted from DES Express Courtesy of Facilities Management Division Lisa Pearson has joined the Facilities Management Division (FMD) as the new Director. Her first day was Sept. 15. Pearson spent 26 years in the federal government, with the last nine years serving as Deputy Regional Commissioner and then Regional Commissioner for the Public Buildings Service (PBS), which is a service of the General Services Administration (GSA). “In those roles I worked with a team of six divisions who delivered real estate and facility programs and services in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington… Read More
Department of Local Services Employee Spotlight: Code Enforcement Officer Jancarlo Guerrero
Crossposted from King County Local You might have heard of code enforcement officers, but did you ever wonder exactly what exactly a King County code enforcement officer does? Today, the Department of Local Services introduces Jancarlo Guerrero, Code Enforcement Officer with the Permitting Division. He talks about his job, what a typical day of work might look like and how he approaches community members in contentious situations. Watch the video here:
Emergency preparedness: Stay informed and get involved
September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you, your family, and community prepare for emergencies, and stay safe if one occurs. Making a plan and building a kit are key elements in emergency preparedness along with: Stay Informed: Know who to turn to for updates, alerts, and warnings during an emergency Get Involved: Talk to your neighbors about sharing resources during an emergency Whether you’re at home or at work trying to provide essential King County services during an emergency, staying informed and getting involved is critical. They can make a difference in how well and how… Read More
Counties across region collaborating on work to support climate-resilient buildings
Crossposted from the Executive Climate Office In the summer of 2024, King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties announced we’d received a $50 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lower greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and construction throughout the region. At the time, King County shared that the Executive Climate Office (ECO), using funding from that grant, would partner with local governments in an effort to reduce climate-warming pollution while ensuring access to healthy heating on cold days and cooling on hot ones. A year later, that work is well… Read More
Discounts available for GAMMA Sports
King County employees can now take advantage of a discount for sports equipment with GAMMA Sports. Whether you’re on the court for tennis, paddle, or pickleball, GAMMA Sports is built for your game. King County employees get 20% off pickleball paddles, racquet grips, balls, bags, court equipment, and more. The discount excludes stringing machines. Visit gammasports.com and use code KCW20. For questions, contact Scott Granse at scott.granse@gammasports.com. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Say goodbye to Common (English) Ivy: Washington issues statewide ban on sales
Crossposted from the Noxious Weeds blog Known for its habit of growing up and over 100 ft+ trees and structures, creating carpeted growths in the forest, and housing allergens and rodents, it’s no mystery to PNW locals that common ivy (Hedera helix, AKA English ivy) is an impactful plant. Ivy has been classified as a noxious weed in Washington state since 2002, yet until last month (Aug. 2025) it could be sold and purchased with no legal implications. So why did it take 23 years to ban common ivy from the market? Let’s get… Read More
Teen donates towels to Regional Animal Services
Crossposted from the DES Express On Aug. 15, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) received a donation of about 500 towels collected by a local high school student. The used towels will be repurposed as bedding for animals and for cleaning kennels at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent. “We are grateful for the generosity of our incredibly supportive community,” said Alex Ropes, Animal Shelter Manager at RASKC. “Donation drives of all kinds, from kitchen towels to kitty litter, help us continue to care for pets in our shelter and foster… Read More
Year Up United interns wrap up summer
Crossposted from the DES Express This summer, 11 talented interns from the Year Up United program successfully completed their internships with Procurement & Payables (P&P) and Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD), finishing the season on a true high note. For many of these young professionals, the idea of stepping away from current jobs to pursue careers in an office setting can feel risky—or even out of reach. But through Year Up United, FBOD provided students from diverse backgrounds and communities with an opportunity to gain valuable experience, grow their skills, and envision new… Read More
He’s racing to motivate you
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention News Sergeant Joshua Bott recently finished his first Ironman 70.3 mile race. He’s competing not for himself, but to inspire those around him. And he’d love it if a few co-workers could join him in the Seattle Marathon this fall. Read more.
Airport transitions to renewable diesel
Crossposted from Plane Talk As part of King County International Airport’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the airport recently transitioned its entire regular diesel fleet to renewable diesel. “We have 45 pieces of equipment and trucks that will be renewable diesel,” said Colin Douglas, Maintenance Manager at the airport. Now instead of spewing higher levels of pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon monoxide, all the airport’s heavy-duty equipment, from generators to snow plows and fire trucks, will use renewable diesel. Renewable diesel is primarily made from used cooking oil and… Read More
New sewer cleaning truck extends the life of King County pipes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Along a quiet residential street in Black Diamond, a large industrial truck draws curious looks from neighbors on a recent sunny morning. King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s new sewer cleaning truck has arrived. “We’re basically pressure washing the pipe at 12 to 15 feet underground,” says Jim Giger, a conveyance inspector at WTD. Large black and red hoses inserted into the opening of a maintenance hole. A worker’s boots are visible next to the maintenance hole lid. The Conveyance Inspection team lowers a suction hose and jet… Read More
Onsite King County flu and COVID-19 clinics open this week
Getting your flu and COVID-19 shots are an important part of protecting your health, your family’s health, and your community’s health. The Washington Department of Health (DOH) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every year and the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. Flu and COVID-19 shots have many important benefits; getting a flu and COVID-19 shot can reduce your risk of getting severe disease, help protect vulnerable populations, and conserve health care resources. Each year, King County’s Balanced You arranges onsite flu and COVID-19 shot clinics for employees who work… Read More
DAJD event honors volunteers and providers who serve the jails
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) Employee newsletter DAJD’s Resident Programs team hosted a celebration on Aug. 28 in honor of volunteers and providers who are active in the jails. They gathered at the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers building in Tukwila for lunch, team-building games and — most of all — recognition. There were chaplains and veteran advocates, teachers and substance use counselors, among others. Read more.
She seeks hope and healing for young people in detention
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) Employee newsletter Dr. Camille Moniz’s impact on youth is hard to put into words. The Intervention Specialist’s influence reaches far beyond the juvenile detention center, leaving a lasting mark on the lives she touches. Read more.
Executive Braddock celebrates 2025 Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, communities across the United States celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. In King County, Executive Shannon Braddock has proclaimed this time as Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. Sept. 15 is the starting point for Latinx Heritage Month as the anniversary of 1821 independence declarations in five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua – and Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence on Sept. 16, Sept. 18, and Sept. 21, respectively. “The cultural, educational, economic, and political influences of Latinx residents can be… Read More
Food justice project featured at community event
Crossposted from King County Executive Climate Office newsletter King County’s Community Climate Resilience (CCR) Grant Program funds community-based projects that support frontline communities, with a special focus on areas specified in the Strategic Climate Action Plan. That includes food systems—and a food sovereignty project was on display (and on the menu!) at an event this month. The African Young Dreamers Empowerment Program Intl. (AYDEPI) held their 3rd annual “Beauty of our African Roots” event at Family Life Center in Federal Way! The youth-led cultural celebration featured music and dance, community voices and poetry, fashion,… Read More
Is your contact information correct in PeopleSoft?
It’s important to review and update your personal contact information in PeopleSoft before Open Enrollment begins. Here’s why: You will receive important Open Enrollment and other employee benefits information mailed to you at the address you have listed as of Sept. 30, 2025. Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work. You can be notified of safety directives, building closures, etc. You can receive information at the email address you prefer. Here’s how: Watch the Updating Personal Details in PeopleSoft video or follow these steps: Sign in to PeopleSoft… Read More
Emergency Kits: Why they’re important
September is National Preparedness Month and King County wants to help you, your family, and community prepare for emergencies, and stay safe if one occurs. To prepare for an emergency, use the Get Ready King County fillable workbook to create a plan. This step-by-step workbook guides you through the resources and items you need. Your plan should include emergency kits for your home, vehicle, and workplace. They should include two weeks’ worth of supplies. Read more.
CCFJC staff celebrate with Western-themed BBQ
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention News Staff from the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) came together on Aug. 27, for a lively Western-themed celebration hosted by the King County Detention Officer’s Guild with support from senior management. Read more.
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