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
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
Tech Tip: Teams Breakout Rooms are here
Microsoft Teams offers users the option to use a Breakout Room. Meeting organizers can use Breakout Rooms to break meeting attendees into small groups during you meeting. Breakout Rooms rolled out the week of Dec. 7. Meeting organizers should now see the icon in their meetings. Only meeting organizers can create and manage Breakout Rooms. Anyone in a Teams meeting can participate in a Breakout Room though. To use Breakout Rooms, as a meeting organizer, select the Breakout Rooms icon (a square within a square). Follow the instructions that pop-up in the next screen. To learn more about Breakout Rooms, read this… Read More
Safe holiday activities for kids during the pandemic
If you have children at home, you may be wondering what types of activities you can do to provide entertainment and help them feel the spirit of celebration during the pandemic. Balanced You has put together a list of seasonal activities you can do as a family that foster connection and well-being while observing guidelines for staying healthy. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for more information.
Give the gift of safety this winter season
Crossposted from Public Health Insider As winter approaches, you may find yourself driving in the snow, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, or giving gifts this season. Here are some tips for giving the gift of safety for the holidays: If you are giving a bike, scooter, skateboard, snowboard or skis, remember to give a helmet too! If you are giving a toy to a child, check the warning labels and instructions to make sure it’s age-appropriate. If you have a friend or loved one who owns a gun and want to give them… Read More
Creating Effective Application Materials online workshop, January 13
This one-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives include: Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments This workshop will take place Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 1-3 p.m. Register here. For additional online workshops offered… Read More
Training Spotlight: Intro to Mindfulness for King County Employee COVID-19 Responders – Online
A special session for those working the front lines during this pandemic, in this one hour workshop, we will review the various aspects of mindfulness practice, the ways mindfulness can help reduce stress, reactivity and burnout, and the science that supports the practices. This training is free and takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 23, from 10–11 a.m. Register here using the password ERkingcounty. Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Expansion of testing into the eastside of king county
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Starting this week, there will be a new option for convenient, free COVID-19 testing on the Eastside. A new site at Bellevue College will open on Tuesday, expanding efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in east King County and along the I-90 corridor. This will be the first free, high-capacity COVID-19 test site on the Eastside. This site will be free and open to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, Public Health… Read More
STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback, January 12
This 60-minute, virtual, small group workshop is designed to provide mock interview practice and feedback using the STAR-LA method as taught by King County Career Support Services. This workshop is ideal for participants who have attended the Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques workshop or have watched the 10 minute STAR-LA method video found on the Career Support Services website. This workshop will take place Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Register here. For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career related… Read More
In January, eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you meet all of the following criteria: You enrolled in PERS Plan 2 before Sept. 1, 2002. You are currently in an eligible position. You will earn service credit in January. Here’s how to switch: Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. Complete a DRS Member Transfer Form and return it by email to kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov or by… Read More
First doses of vaccine arrive in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider It’s a remarkable milestone that the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are on the ground in our community. Public Health – Seattle & King County is one of several healthcare providers receiving limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccine this week. Hospital systems in King County will receive approximately 17,000 doses of vaccine in this first distribution, with Public Health scheduled to receive 3,900 doses. Across the state, the vaccine will be offered to workers in high-risk healthcare settings and residents and staff in long-term care facilities. In addition… Read More
Want to get employee emergency notifications? Sign-up for KCInform
During an emergency having timely information on what is happening is critical. King County employees can sign-up for KCInform, the employee alert and warning system, to receive information on incidents that can affect their work and safety. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if-applicable) and personal cell phone and email… Read More
Inslee announces updated school guidance for in-person instruction
Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal today announced an update in the metrics used to inform local school district decisions for in-person learning. They also announced $3 million from set aside funds to be distributed to implement health and safety protocols. The update to the school health and safety toolkit comes after recent data showed limited COVID-19 transmission in school environments when state health and safety protocols are implemented. The Department of Health suggests three categories for re-introducing in-person learning: For schools in counties where COVID-19 cases are “low” (less… Read More
Pet of the Week: Rex
Hi, my name is Rex! I’m an 8 year old male domestic short hair cat (ID #A65307). I am the shy and sensitive type. But, once you start petting me I slowly but surely will rub into your hand. I especially enjoy getting little chin and neck scratches! I am neutered, current on vaccinations, and micro chipped. Also, as the Pet of the Week, my adoption fee has been waived and includes a free visit to the veterinarian of your choice. You can find out more about me and my friends at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you… Read More
Tech Tip: An important reminder about Microsoft Skype and Teams instant messages (chats)
Instant messages in Teams, called Chats, don’t instantly disappear when you close the Chat window—they’re typically held for 24 hours or more before deletion. That means they can be subject to Public Disclosure Requests during that time. Some chats last for up to a week, but KCIT is working on the issue. Even if you’re still using Skype, any IMs with coworkers on Teams will also be retained for 24 hours or more on their side. Remember: You may recall that our guidance for using Skype instant messages has always been “Don’t conduct work in instant messages.” The same is true in Teams Chats. They should only be used for transitory communication. What does this mean for you? When you move to… Read More
Planning holidays during a pandemic
Planning holidays during a pandemic is a tough feat. While news of COVID-19 vaccines brings a welcome light at the end of the tunnel, we still need to follow social distancing and mask recommendations until the vaccine is available to try to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our community safe. To help employees safely navigate the holiday season, Balanced You has put together a list of resources and tips for fun and meaningful ways to celebrate. Click here for more information.
Countywide web refresh will help users quickly, easily access information and King County services
Big changes are coming to King County’s web experience. The King County Website Refresh project aims to modernize the existing King County website experience to create a better user experience, align with the County’s mission and provide easy access to content. KingCounty.gov is the primary source of information for community members, employees, agencies and the general public. However, the current site doesn’t fully reflect King County’s mission to provide quality local and regional services to the community, largely because some information is difficult to find and understand. A major goal of the new site is to provide residents with a fast, convenient and equitable user-centered experience. Information will be easier to find,… Read More
Training Spotlight: Mentorship Lunch and Learn
Online – Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. This Lunch and Learn is free and the next session is on Thursday, Dec. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. Register Here Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or… Read More
Summit at Snoqualmie discount program on pause
The Summit at Snoqualmie has hit pause on their discount program, due to COVID-19 and Washington State guidelines. For season passes, sales will be significantly limited, and discounts for partners, such as King County, will not be offered. For daily lift tickets, sales will begin in the coming weeks, and partner discounts will not be available until early to mid-January. Discounts will only be available on lift ticket reservations made after this launch date. The Summit at Snoqualmie advises guests wishing to reserve specific dates to make reservations as soon as public… Read More
Making Life Easier webinars for the holiday season
King County employees can choose from these upcoming live and on-demand webinars. Register early for the live session as space is limited; otherwise, the recording will be available on-demand 48 hours after the live session. Navigating Grief During the Holiday Season, Wednesday, Dec. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here. Moving Forward From Here: Navigating Uncertain Times, now available on-demand. Register here. Supporting Yourself This Season: The Winter Blues & Seasonal Affective Disorder, now available on-demand. Register here. To learn more about these webinars, login to kcmakinglifeeasier.com with your username: King County, click on the Current… Read More
Stress less this holiday season
The holiday season will look different for many people this year. Many of us will still find ways to cultivate joy and cherish time with loved ones, whether virtually or safely in-person. Many of us will also undergo sadness and fatigue from experiencing holidays during a pandemic. Balanced You and King County’s Making Life Easier program offer the following recommendations so you can enjoy the season to the fullest. Read this Balanced You blogpost for more information.
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