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Updated mask guidance for employees
King County has released updates to its Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery and Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy, and has provided new guidance on face masks. Under the updated policy, “individuals should use county provided masks or substantially similar masks in the workplace. Bandanas, gaiters, buffs, vented masks and face shields are not permitted substitutes for masks” (Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy, page 9). Face masks must be worn properly in order to avoid contaminating the hands or face of the user. The County has cloth masks available for all employees to use… Read More
New support and resources to help employees during COVID-19
King County has announced some new financial resources, tools, and policy decisions to help employees manage during this pandemic and make our work sites safer for everyone. The new resources include support setting up remote workspaces, more options for flexible work schedules, support resources and leave options for parents with school-aged children at home, and updated guidance on wearing face masks at work. The Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery has also been updated and divided into two separate guides with specific information for employees in one guide, and managers and supervisors in… Read More
Creating Effective Application Materials – online, Sept. 1
King County Career Support Services staff will provide you with strategies and tips on making your application materials stand out. This training will 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 be held via Zoom Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 1-3 p.m. Register here. Additional courses are available… Read More
FMD saves the day with quick plumbing fix
Crossposted from DES Express When the plumbing backed up recently at the Jefferson Day Center on Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street, initial estimates said it might take two weeks to fix, requiring digging up a busy downtown street. That also would mean a full closure for the center, which offers a safe place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for adults experiencing homelessness. The staff offers a cup of coffee, snacks, showers, laundry, on-site case management, and connections to housing and employment services in addition to shelter upstairs. Read more.
King County dedicates $41 million to COVID-19 related rental assistance and eviction prevention
Individuals and families throughout King County economically impacted by COVID-19 due to illness, lost wages and unemployment may apply for assistance through the King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine. The new program dedicates $41.4 million for emergency housing aid and is expected to assist 7,700 to 10,000 households across the region. “Many people are facing serious challenges due to COVID-19 and the loss of health or income, leaving them extremely vulnerable to eviction,” said Executive Constantine. “This emergency program will forestall the loss of housing and… Read More
Video: August 24, 2020 Update on COVID-19 in King County with Dr. Jeff Duchin
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Watch the recording of the August 21, 2020 media briefing with Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. Dr. Duchin spoke with reporters and answered questions about the latest status of COVID-19 spread in King County. The briefing addressed the latest trends in cases, the role social gatherings are having locally, and what we can all do now to reduce transmission during the sweet-spot before our weather turns colder.
One month of summer left: If you can, take a vacation
If you want to take advantage of the warmer weather and sunshine, there’s only one month until we reach fall, so maybe it’s time to take a vacation if you can. While an overseas vacation or trip to a favorite destination might be on hold now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to remember that a vacation from work allows the body and mind to rest. It allows us to pursue other activities and think about things unrelated to our jobs and careers. We can focus on our family, share laughter with… Read More
Now recruiting 2020 Ambassadors!
Even when we’re apart, we can act together to make a difference. It’s part of who we are as King County Employees. Now, more than ever, the Annual Giving Drive is important for our community, for each other, and for ourselves. It will look and feel different, but the joy and purpose is the same. You will get bring your creativity to life, expand your technology and digital communications skills, and bring joy while building community and connection for your teams. The program is a vast resource for us as we navigate… Read More
CHOMP! 2020 Online Celebration
CHOMP! Summer Camp is just around the corner with great virtual programming lined up. From August 24 to 28 you can tune in each evening to check out new content, including a potato zucchini fritter demo, a virtual farm tour at Dandelion Fuzzies Minifarm, how to make a flute out of a carrot, gardening tips from Viva Farms and much more! Now in its sixth year, CHOMP! celebrates all that is fresh, delicious, local and sustainable in King County. The event supports King County Executive Dow Constantine’s Local Food Initiative by highlighting local farms and farmers, chefs and… Read More
King County awards COVID-19 relief grants to regional science organizations, arts and culture, and independent live music venues
King County provided $2 million in one-time grants to science, arts and culture organizations, and independent live music venues disrupted by COVID-19 across the region. The program is tailored to organizations that draw tourists and is designed to ease the economic burden of the pandemic while also increasing public health measures. With $2 million of funding backed by the federal CARES Act, King County awarded a total of 62 grants in three categories: Music venues (35 awards) • Arts, culture and science educations organizations (21 awards) • Science organizations (6 awards) The grant funds… Read More
The case of the metal strands – teamwork leads to the source of treatment system damage
Crossposted from Wastewater Treatment Division’s Clean Water Stories When wastewater comes into the Carnation Wastewater Treatment Plant, it first passes through a process that removes larger particles like trash and grit from the water. Next, the water flows through a process that involves tanks containing membranes. These membranes are fine filters (like spaghetti) that only allow water molecules to flow through. When staff at the Carnation Plant began noticing damage to the membranes, they investigated. What they found were metal strands causing the damage. They made a call to our utility’s Unusual Occurrence Program. Read more.
Expanded EBT benefits available for families to feed children who are learning from home
In order to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our community, many school districts have opted for remote learning, meaning many students will be learning from home this year rather than from classroom. While this important decision reduces the risk of families contracting or spreading COVID-19, it also introduces increased financial burden to families that relied on free or reduced-price meals at school and now must adjust their finances to feed their children at home. To lessen this burden, Washington state, in partnership with the federal government, has introduced the temporary… Read More
Free Webinar for employees: Planning for College 101
The costs of attending college continue to increase, so planning is imperative. This one-hour webinar, provided by My Secure Advantage (MSA), will review different types of college savings accounts, the FAFSA financial aid process, scholarships, grants, and loans. Participants will leave this class better prepared to establish and fund their college savings goals. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 | 9 a.m. & noon | Register Here. Note: If you register and cannot attend, a recording of the webinar, along with a copy of the session presentation and handouts, will automatically be sent within 24 hours.
Electric scooter share pilot program
King County has launched a one-year pilot program for shared electric scooters in accordance with Ordinance 18989. We’re creating this pilot program to offer new mobility options in the North Highline Urban Unincorporated Area, including White Center. Scooter share programs operate much like bike share programs – anyone can access a scooter using a smartphone app, ride to their destination, and leave the scooter in an appropriate location. This pilot program will help the County determine whether shared Scooters can support the County’s policy goals of: Improving first/last mile connections to transit Reducing… Read More
Substance use and mental health disorder recovery resources during the pandemic
The pandemic is creating unique challenges for those faced with substance use and mental health disorders, including those in active recovery. Social isolation can heighten symptoms and cravings. Meanwhile connection – the antidote to isolation and a cornerstone of many recovery programs – has changed in the face of social distancing. Before coronavirus, rooms and facilities in communities across the globe were filled with groups of people offering each other resources, tips, and stories of strength and hope. Now, those groups have been asked to stop meeting in-person, to prevent the spread… Read More
Hot weather tips during a pandemic
Crossposted from the Public Health Insider Beautiful, warmer weather is in the forecast, but we all know this summer looks and feels different. With safety measures in place for COVID, we won’t be able to head to the air-conditioned comfort of movie theaters, malls, or even libraries. Pools, splash parks, and many beaches are closed. In previous summers, some cities have opened air-conditioned community spaces for the public to cool off. They won’t be able to open them this summer because with COVID circulating, it’s too risky to have groups of people close together… Read More
Executive Constantine submits $87 million emergency COVID-19 budget for drive-through testing in South King County, housing, and childcare
King County Executive Dow Constantine has transmitted an emergency supplemental budget to the King County Council for the fourth time since the COVID-19 outbreak. The $87 million proposal includes funding for new test sites, housing, and arts organizations. The $87 million emergency supplemental budget provides funds for one-time investments to help in the health and economy recovery of King County. Included in the budget is $11 million for at least two drive-through/walk-up testing sites in South and East King County that can provide 500-1,000 tests per day. Public Health – Seattle &… Read More
Learn about the proposed 2021-2022 budget
Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, has recorded a short video about the proposed 2021-2022 budget. In the video, he discusses the uncertainties we’re facing as we plan for the next two years, the budget shortfalls in several funds, and the County’s commitment to investing in anti-racist policies. “My team in the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget is currently reviewing budget proposals and developing recommendations for the County Executive,” Dwight said. “There are still many unknowns and a lot of work to do between now and… Read More
New name for DHR division
As the Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section of the Department of Executive Services (DES) gets set to join the Department of Human Resources (DHR) in 2021, DHR’s existing Employee Health and Safety Division (EHSD) will be renamed Central Employee Services Division (CESD), effective Jan. 1, 2021. This change will more accurately reflect the full suite of services that the expanded division will provide beginning next year. Employees in BPROS and EHSD took part in a survey to name the division. While Employee Services Division (ESD) received the highest number of votes… Read More
Ride Away Your Stress, Safely and Affordably!
Crossposted from the Public Health Insider By Emily Devora Hops, UW MPH Student, Violence and Injury Prevention Unit When you are stressed out, what do you do to relax? Did you know that physical activity reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones? In fact, exercise releases brain chemicals that improves mood. During times of high stress, riding a bicycle is a great way to improve your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Biking can help you get to where you need to go and be a rejuvenating social activity to do with family, friends or alone. Within King County,… Read More
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