Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
A few years ago, when Environmental Health Services (EHS) Program Manager Greg Wilson was asked to create a program that looked for the future workforce for Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), he not only ran with it, but wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity. Today he serves as the Program Manager for the EHS Division’s Education Engagement Strategy Program. The Program focuses on providing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) opportunities for middle school to college-age students that include internships, work study, and job shadow opportunities. It also offers an… Read More
The King County Innovation Awards seek to honor employees within department teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. This year, however, the Service award honors not individuals, but teams who pulled together to address the urgent needs of the COVID pandemic in our community. The True North values of “We are one team,” “We solve problems,” and above all, “We respect all people” drove these teams to come up with creative and effective solutions that truly aided some of the most vulnerable in our community. Due to the pandemic,… Read More
Dear fellow King County employee, September is National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and it comes at a time when anxiety and pandemic-fueled trauma are on the rise nationally after some recent improvements. At King County we have seen a similar trend in a recent survey of employee well-being and belonging. I know this is a worrying time, with COVID-19 once again surging, new restrictions being put in place, and parents getting ready to send their kids back to school after so many months. We need to continue to pay particular… Read More
When you’re exposed to COVID-19 today in King County, it’s most likely that you’re being exposed to a highly contagious variant of the virus. Of the recent COVID-19 test samples genetically sequenced in King County, about 90 percent represent a variant of concern and not the original strain of the virus, and about 60 percent of these are the Delta variant. This is concerning because the Delta variant is so contagious. The large majority of recent cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are among unvaccinated residents. Almost 95 percent of recent hospitalizations and deaths… Read More
There is an increase in COVID-19 cases among county employees, reflecting the rise in cases in the community. You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 at work by staying home when you’re sick, even if your symptoms are mild. COVID-19 symptoms may include but are not limited to fever or chills, a cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Vaccinated people can still get COVID and unintentionally spread it,… Read More
All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, and there are some important dates you need to know to meet this requirement. We’ve put together a short 90-second video that outlines the key dates for the three approved vaccines – Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson – and when you’ll need to start the vaccine schedule to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021. Watch the video below:
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is not only important in protecting you from contracting the virus, but you are also helping to protect your family, friends, co-workers, and customers, especially those who may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and those who cannot be vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination will help you from getting sick or seriously ill with COVID-19. It helps protect you by teaching your body’s immune system to fight the virus without having to experience a COVID-19 infection. In the clinical trials, the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available… Read More
The King County Innovation Awards seek to honor employees within department teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. These honorees have considered challenges within their delivery of services to King County residents, and developed solutions that address an important need. Through the True North values of “We solve problems” and “We drive for results,” these honorees met each challenge in a creative and forward-thinking manner. Receiving the Innovation Award for Cost, which includes anything that is financially related and affects the County’s finances, is the Department of Executive Services… Read More
All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, and there are many options for getting vaccinated in your community or at work. No appointment is needed at many community locations, and most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is available regardless of insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. You will not be billed or charged for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine is always free. Because obtaining the vaccination is mandatory, employees will be paid for the time spent getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This… Read More
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer Three years ago I launched King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy as part of our efforts to provide a workplace culture where every employee is treated with respect and valued for their unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our policy is clear: any type of harassment or discrimination at King County is prohibited. The policy clearly sets out the conduct and behaviors that will not be tolerated, as well as how to report incidents, all employees’ responsibilities, and the consequences of non-compliance. Since launching the… Read More
All King County Executive branch employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021. Oct. 4 is the last opportunity to get vaccinated to meet the Oct. 18 deadline. To meet this requirement, employees must: Receive their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the first shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by Oct. 4, 2021, and Provide verified proof of vaccination by Oct. 18, 2021 Make sure you know when you need to start your vaccine schedule in order to meet the Oct. 18 requirement: If you opt for the… Read More
Several King County leaders today announced the honorees for the 2020 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards in a series of video announcements, recognizing employees and teams for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, service, and innovation to better serve our customers. “These awards honor employees and workgroups for their exceptional contributions in performance, leadership, and innovation,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “Recognizing great work is important; celebrating our accomplishments is important; and that’s the purpose of the Performance Excellence Awards. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our own successes and the employees who… Read More
King County employees and family members age 12 years or older can get vaccinated at one of several upcoming pop-up vaccine clinics hosted by King County. We’re pleased to partner with two vaccinator firms, Discovery Health and Pliable, to provide the clinics. All three vaccine types – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – will be available at each clinic. If you’ll be getting a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, remember to bring along the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that you received when you got your first dose. Walk-ins are… Read More
All people are required to wear masks when indoors in all King County buildings, facilities, structures, and vehicles, effective Tuesday, August 17. The directive applies to employees and all persons entering county facilities including all members of the public, contractors, volunteers, and others entering county facilities. King County’s employee mask policy is updated as follows: If you are working indoors or in an enclosed space with others (for example, multiple people in a vehicle) you must wear a mask whether or not you have been fully vaccinated. If you are working outdoors, regardless of… Read More
A series of street, lane, and sidewalk closures will commence Friday, August 13, around City Hall Park as the City of Seattle prepares to close the park and begin restoration at the site. For the past six weeks, a County and City-funded contractor called the JustCARE program has been working with the 50-plus people living in the park, located just south of the King County Courthouse, to help them move voluntarily to safer and more sustainable shelter options. This includes individual safety and shelter plans for each person. As of today, almost… Read More
Increased mobility options arrive in Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond with expanded Via to Transit. King County Metro has expanded their Via to Transit pilot to provide better connections to frequent transit service and improved mobility for people who live, work, and go to school in the Renton Highlands, Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond. Via to Transit is public transportation that comes to you. Book rides straight from your phone, get picked up steps from your front door, and travel to or from the following places without needing a car: Rainier Beach… Read More
(Updated August 12, 2021) Hot weather has arrived with temperatures into the high 90s now upon us. It’s important to take steps to stay cool while continuing to follow mask requirements and public health guidance. Some of our work needs to be performed outdoors. Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to a later time when temperatures moderate, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt schedules wherever possible so work can be performed in the morning. This week’s forecast calls for:… Read More
King County will require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct. 18, 2021, and you have a couple of options for providing proof of vaccination for verification. To have your vaccination status verified, you can: Initiate 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 Show 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
Originally posted in the Department of Executive Services Express With temperatures already forecast to be above normal this week, keep these tips in mind to stay cool: Keep window blinds or curtains closed when outdoor temperatures skyrocket. This reduces indoor temps and reduces the strain on the HVAC equipment. Keep windows and doors closed in locations with HVAC. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The county recommends against using indoor fans, as they can create “hot zones” in other places in the building and can create a fire hazard. Please don’t block or manipulate air… Read More
King County is working to enhance safety for employees and has launched several new and expanded initiatives to make workplaces, building, and structures safer. These include: Enhanced security presence: We’re increasing security presence in the King County courthouse and other county buildings. Additional officers will be patrolling inside and outside the Courthouse and providing an enhanced security presence within entire the downtown campus. Employee-only restrooms: Some restrooms are being designated for employee use only and will only be accessible with a keycard or code. Work began this week on a two-phase effort… Read More