Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
Disability Awareness Month: Reasonable Accommodations in King County Superior Court
by Linda Ridge, Chief Administrative Officer, and Ronda Bliey, Public Access Specialist – King County Superior Court Access to justice is a fundamental right of all people; however, for individuals with a sensory, cognitive, or physical disability, seeking access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that people with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system[1]. Recognizing the important role that accommodations play in providing access to justice for individuals with disabilities, King County Superior Court… Read More
Join our Team: DAJD Recruiters make a pitch
For Corrections Officer Edward Duenas, this career fair was on familiar ground. Duenas retired from an Army career out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Since then, he’s worked eight-plus years as a King County corrections officer. So the recent event at JBLM’s American Lake Conference Center came naturally. “I know the lingo,” Duenas said, as he prepared to field questions from the soldiers and Air Force personnel milling about the room. “To me it’s a little easier.” King County’s Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD), like other corrections agencies near and… Read More
Supporting people with disabilities through the 2021 Annual Giving Drive
As part of the 2021 Annual Giving Drive, we are highlighting nonprofits whose work supports people with disabilities. These and hundreds of nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. The ARC of King County (9233) – Serving individuals and families with intellectual and develpmental disabilities through case management, peer support, leadership training, and advocacy. Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (9267) – Empowers people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech differences through advocacy, early education, audiology, speech therapy, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting. SKCAC Industries & Employement Services (9758)… Read More
Employee vaccination clinics provide over 1,800 COVID-19 vaccine doses
As the COVID-19 vaccine became more widely available, it became clear that to best support essential workers who have complex schedules and shifts, King County would need to bring the vaccines to worksites. Through a collaborative partnership with Public Health – Seattle and King County, their vaccine partners, and King County labor unions, onsite clinics provided 1,877 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to County employees and their loved ones between April 9, 2021 and Oct. 2, 2021. King County Metro led the way, hosting 31 clinics that provided a total of 1,582… Read More
Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award presented to John Diaz
The final honoree of the 2020 King County Leadership Excellence Awards, receiving the Fred Jarrett Award, is John Diaz, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). The Fred Jarrett Award honors a department or division leader who is outstanding in their work and embodies the Executive Branch values, striving to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. In the short time he has been with King County, John has shown he is open to new ideas, and ready to take on tough challenges… Read More
KCC 2.15 training: Protecting immigrants, refugees, and limited English speakers
On Feb. 26, 2018, the Metropolitan King County Council adopted ground-breaking immigration legislation designed to protect everyone’s safety and civil rights. While still adhering to federal law, King County Code 2.15 Immigrant, Refugees and Language Access Ordinance (KCC 2.15) prevents the use of County funds and resources on federal immigration enforcement and outlines the steps the County uses to protect immigrants and refugees seeking services from the County, or who are victims or witnesses of crime. “This legislation was developed with consultation from community organizations and leaders that advocate for equitable public… Read More
Security Tips: Password Safety
Creating strong passwords should be the number one priority in keeping your online world safe. Having weak passwords could result in stolen identities, loss of data or money, and even the loss of a job and/or reputation. You’ve likely heard recommendations for creating secure passwords before. Experts suggest using long, complex, and random combinations of words, letters, numbers and special characters. Follow the tips below to improve your password safety practices: Improve the strength of your passwords. Strong passwords are usually made up of at least eight characters. They should contain numbers,… Read More
Superior Court program supports jurors with disabilities
It began with a 2019 court case. A blind juror was selected with a commitment from both sides that their witnesses would be descriptive enough to work with the juror. In this case, the lawyers were enthusiastic to make it work. And according to King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan, a judge has a duty to “figure out a way to make it work.” But the juror’s ability to hear descriptive evidence wasn’t the only issue. Jurors are required to take notes on a court-issued notepad and they’re not allowed to… Read More
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to celebrate the rich heritage, culture, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous people in our region and here at King County. Our region benefits tremendously from the generations of Native American people on whose land we currently live. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State, and King County is home to a thriving Native American population from Tribal nations across the country. We are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and Suquamish Tribes, and the Duwamish people. The legacy… Read More
Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends booster doses of Pfizer vaccine for people who have completed two doses of Pfizer at least six months ago and are: 65 years or older Residents in long-term care facilities 50-64 years old who are at high-risk because of underlying medical conditions The following people may also receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least six months after receiving two doses of Pfizer vaccine based on their individual benefits and risks: 18-49 years old who are at high-risk because of underlying… Read More
Celebrating 2021 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every October, King County celebrates the many contributions made by people with disabilities, and how they strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country. With this in mind, the King County Executive and King County Council jointly honored their contributions by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In the Oct. 5 virtually held King County Council meeting, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and Councilmember Claudia Balducci shared reading of the proclamation, with each councilmember adding additional insights. The meeting can be viewed here. “Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential,… Read More
Matt Canady receives Executive’s People Leader Award
Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The People Leader Award honors a leader below the department or division leadership level who directly manages staff and encourages and empowers their team to push for outcomes that make King County a better place for our employees and the people we serve. The… Read More
Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be an observed holiday beginning in 2022
Starting in 2022, King County government will observe two new paid holidays, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing county services. The King County Council passed two Ordinances last year to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as paid holidays for King County employees who are eligible for leave benefits starting in 2022. (These new holiday observances are subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing County services.) Based on engagement with Indigenous people who are King County employees and others in… Read More
King County launches desk reservation system, embracing a hybrid Future of Work
In just a few clicks, King County’s new Indoor Viewer desk reservation system lets employees book cubicle space in the Chinook Building or King Street Center. Indoor Viewer launches this week. The software uses cutting-edge indoor mapping technology but is surprisingly easy to use; simply select the date and choose an available desk, then watch the booking magically appear in your Outlook calendar. This major milestone in the county’s Future of Work implementation gives agencies the flexibility to embrace hybrid work schedules and cost-saving space consolidations. Your agency will notify you when… Read More
COVID Leave criteria, forms, and time codes
King County employees who are represented by a union that has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or are non-represented can now request up to 80 hours of COVID Leave to use for COVID-19 reasons as listed in the MOA. COVID Leave is a new benefit that applies to all participating unions, as well as non-represented employees with the following exceptions: Puget Sound Police Managers Association (PSPMA) King County Police Officers Guild (KCPOG) District Court Superior Court King County Council Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Eligible employees may use COVID Leave in the following… Read More
Disability Awareness Month 2021 events
King County is celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Awareness Month in October. This year we have some exciting events planned covering a wide range of topics, from accessibility to insights from employees with disabilities: Universal Design for Meetings, Events and Trainings Wednesday, Oct. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. Register here. The term reasonable modification is something we hear frequently when we talk about providing access to people with disabilities during out meetings, trainings and events. What if we flipped that concept on its head? What if, instead of modifying… Read More
Cecelia Hayes recipient of Executive’s Individual Contributor Award
The Leadership Excellence Awards, part of Executive Constantine’s Performance Excellence Awards, honor King County leaders who embody our Executive Branch values and who strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The Individual Contributor Award honors an employee who does not directly manage staff, but who makes significant and tangible leadership contributions. The 2020 honoree for the Individual Contributor Award is Cecelia Hayes, a Senior Practitioner in Equity, Social Justice and Engagement for the Department of Executive Services. Cecelia is committed to moving King County forward in its… Read More
Four worksite clinics this week for COVID-19 vaccine
All King County Executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated under Executive Constantine’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – Executive Order and submit proof of vaccination for verification. King County is hosting four COVID-19 worksite vaccination clinics this week open to all employees and their families. All three vaccines are available by appointment, and walk-ins are welcome: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 from 1-4 p.m., Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, 16645 228th Ave SE in Maple Valley. Register here. Thursday, Sept 30, 2021 from 6-9 a.m., Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center, 3511 NE 2nd St. in Renton. Register… Read More
Verify your vaccination status as soon as possible
If you haven’t yet submitted your proof of vaccination for verification, make sure you do so as soon as you receive your final vaccination. In order to be fully vaccinated by the deadline, you must receive your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or your only dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine by Monday, Oct. 4. Please report your vaccination status immediately after receiving your final dose to avoid receiving notices of the job separation process. There are a couple of ways to provide proof of vaccination: Initiating the COVID-19 Vaccination… Read More
Don’t wait to get vaccination verified
The Oct. 18 deadline for getting your vaccination status verified is approaching fast, so make sure you’ve submitted your proof of vaccination before the deadline. There are a couple of ways to provide proof of vaccination: Initiating the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration process through your NEOGOV Dashboard (click on Dashboard > Forms > COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration) and attaching a copy of an official document (see list below), OR Showing one of the following to an HR professional or other designated department representative: your actual vaccination card, or a photo or a copy of it, a copy of… Read More
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