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
Pet of the Week: Maxwell
Hi! My name is Maxwell and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by my previous owner on March 3, 2020 because they were moving. I lived in a home with another other cat. My previous owner described me as shy, but loving. I was nominated as the Pet of the Week on 10/19/2020. This means that my adoption fee has been waived. However, please note that a pet license is a requirement and therefore a fee may be applied. This helps my safe return home should I become lost,… Read More
Training Spotlight: Communication and Problem Solving Skills
Join instructor Lenny Borer for this two-day online training. He will address communication and problem-solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This two-day class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts, and dealing with defensive behavior. This training is $65 and space is limited. It takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8 and 9, both days from 1-4:30 p.m. Register here. Please visit our King County Eventbrite page website for more opportunities. Winter Seattle College courses have been posted. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Public records during COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed so much about the way we work, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that we are stewards of the public’s records. As such, we must maintain both good records management practices and provide timely responses to requests for public records, whether those come from the public directly, or through a public records officer (PRO) or coordinator. The PROs coordinating public records requests are working to collect responsive records as efficiently as possible while trying to minimize disruptions to the important work that is being done under uncommon conditions. One… Read More
Executive Constantine names April Putney as new Chief of Staff
As Executive Constantine’s new Chief of Staff, April Putney will be responsible for administration of the Executive’s staff as well as directing external and internal policy coordination and strategic initiatives. Putney previously served as the Director of Government and External Relations, overseeing local, regional, state, and federal relations. Putney replaces Rachel Smith, who was named President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce today. Smith, who also serves as Deputy County Executive, will retain that position until she leaves the Executive’s Office at the end of the year. “April brings… Read More
Wishing our employees, their families, and the community a Happy Thanksgiving
It has been a challenging year, and during this national time of thanksgiving, we would like to take the time to say Thank You to our employees, for their dedication to making King County a beautiful, welcoming, and civic minded region. Thank you for the work you do every day. Thank you to your families and loved ones for supporting you to do it. And thank you to our community, and our region, for allowing King County to serve you. We wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Featured Job: Administrator II
Salary: $75,332.82 – $95,489.26 Annually Location: Seattle, WA (telecommute) Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020CF12431 Division: Prevention Closing: 12/1/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
VIDEO: As COVID cases skyrocket, an update from Dr. Jeff Duchin
Crossposted from Public Health Insider As cases skyrocket and hospitalizations increase, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, shared updates on COVID-19 and what the public needs to do to turn the outbreak around. “The upcoming holiday season greatly adds to the risk, and to the importance of taking action now. If people travel, or gather for Thanksgiving celebrations or other get-togethers, we could see an explosion in COVID-19, causing human suffering unlike anything we’ve experienced in modern times. We want to remind everyone again that we… Read More
King County awards community grants to advance anti-racist agenda
On June 11, 2020, King County declared racism a public health crisis. In partnership with advocates, community-members, and public servants throughout King County government, Executive Constantine put together a package of budget proposals to reform the criminal legal system, and begin an ongoing, multi-year effort to shift resources from systems that cause harm, to upstream programs aligned with racial and social justice. King County staff developed anti-racist policy agendas and biennial budget priorities based on demands from Black, brown and indigenous people of color. To aid in further effective policy and investment development,… Read More
Spend your FSA money before it’s gone
Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? Check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA by going to Navia Benefits and signing in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2020. And you have until March 31, 2021, to submit claims to be reimbursed. Day Care FSAs Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time. Day Care FSA funds can also… Read More
Honoring Indigenous People during Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. This November, Balanced You gives thanks to Indigenous communities. We honor the wisdom and culture of Indigenous people, we mourn the colonization of their land, and we celebrate the Indigenous people who continue to reside on their ancestral homeland. While the tradition of Thanksgiving has been rooted in colonization, there are steps you can take toward decolonizing the holiday. Balanced You invites King County employees to honor and give thanks to Indigenous People during Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Month, and year-round. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips… Read More
Vivecorp exercise classes will not be held the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas
In response to employee requests, Balanced You, in partnership with Vivecorp, is offering free, live, virtual exercise classes starting Wednesday, Oct. 21. King County employees and anyone in their home, including children, are welcome to join. Classes will be hosted on Zoom and held on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at noon through December 2020. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for the class schedule and instructions on how to register and join. These classes will be not be held the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Please note: You will need to use Chrome or Microsoft Edge as… Read More
Celebrating Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic
Thanksgiving gatherings traditionally center around time spent breaking bread with loved ones. This year, in light of the ongoing pandemic, the steep rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases, and the recent Governor orders to limit social gatherings and non-essential activities, Thanksgiving celebrations are likely to look different for many people. Fortunately, there are still safe, fun, and meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday together. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources for navigating 2020’s Thanksgiving.
Learn about Medicare options, December 15
Are you reaching Medicare age? Do you want to learn more about Medicare and your options as a King County employee? SIgn up for Medicare 101, an upcoming seminar featuring guest speaker Jean Cormier, who will discuss Medicare basics. In addition, Jenny Stark from Regence BlueShield and Hannah Bachelder from Kaiser Permanente will discuss their Medicare Advantage plan options. This seminar takes place Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Register here. Please note, attendance is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related. For more information, contact Carmen Johnson.
Tech Tip: Remember: A good way to help identify potential phishing
Phishing attacks continue to hit employees at King County, just like other local jurisdictions. Because of this, KCIT wants to remind employees about the banner which identifies emails sent from outside of the county. The banner is used because a common phishing tactic employed by the bad guys is sending emails in which the display name in the “From” field looks like it’s been sent by someone within King County, but that email address is fake and actually from someone making a phishing attempt. Unfortunately, users do not always notice when such an email is a phishing attempt. This makes employees vulnerable to viruses and other… Read More
Reminder: Employees needed for Balanced You Well-being Advisory Committees
Do you have ideas on how King County can better support the well-being of you and your colleagues? In response to employee surveys and listening sessions, Balanced You, is developing two new well-being advisory committees: one for telecommuters and one for essential employees working onsite. Anyone interested is invited to apply. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for more information.
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
Join the virtual blood drive for King County employees, November 23–December 7
Bloodworks Northwest is hosting a virtual blood drive for all King County employees. Employees are encouraged to the give the special code KING when registering in person the day of their appointment to help keep track of all King County employees who are participating to help save a life. Make an appointment at a donor center, or pop up donor center at the link below for anytime between Nov. 23 and Dec. 7. All donations are by appointment only to provide the safest possible donation environment. Additionally, no walk-ins, guests or people under age 16 are permitted onsite, and masks (or an appropriate face covering) are required. Make an… Read More
King County Council approves Metro’s Access Paratransit Advisory Committee (APAC)
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is pleased to announce the 11 members of its newest advisory group, the Access Paratransit Advisory Committee (APAC). The Access Paratransit Advisory Committee will advise Metro, the King County Executive, and the King County Council on transit and policy issues related to equitable public transportation for people with disabilities. The work of this new committee will enhance the Access paratransit program by providing guidance to Metro on what to prioritize and on developing a vision for ongoing improvements. The committee was appointed by the King County… Read More
Elections Building selected for Round 1 of PSE Community Solar Program
Crosposted from DES Express Puget Sound Energy has selected King County’s Elections Building in Renton to be one of the sites for Round 1 of its Community Solar Program, currently under development. “This is a really great opportunity to shine a light on renewable energy in general and Elections specifically,” said Sarah Calvillo Hoffman, Energy Manager for Facilities Management Division in Executive Services. “Elections is really interested in doing more sustainable things in general. There are lots of people who go to that building, and there will be signage about the project.” Read more.
Featured Job: Education Specialist – Downtown Needle Exchange
Salary: $56,673.97 – $71,837.79 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020DB12401 Division: Prevention Closing: 11/23/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/2907925/education-specialist-downtown-needle-exchange
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