Featured Headlines
Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
King County employee guidance for wildfire smoke during COVID-19
With the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to prepare ahead for wildfire smoke and extreme heat this summer. Washington State is already above average for the number of fires for this time of year, and experts are forecasting a high chance of wildfire smoke in our region this summer. Wildfire smoke may make it more difficult to fight respiratory infections such as COVID-19. It may also increase some people’s sensitivity to infection by COVID-19 and in some cases may make the symptoms of COVID-19 more severe. A previous COVID-19 infection may… Read More
Seven questions people ask about our daily COVID-19 data dashboard
Crossposted from Public Health Insider The recently expanded “Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary” shows the latest data for test results, hospitalizations and deaths in King County and in each city, town and zip code. Dashboard users can use “tabs” to filter by race, age and gender for each location. They can also compare how each city or zip code area compares to the overall rates for King County. (Most unincorporated areas are also included, and more will be added.) The dashboard includes demographics for race, age, and gender. (Don’t miss the other COVID-19 data dashboards,… Read More
Live healthier with these free wellness programs
When you feel healthy, you can get the most out of life and do your best work. That’s why we created Balanced You, a program to help all King County employees meet their financial, emotional, and physical needs. Two scientifically-proven wellness programs, Omada and Living Well, are free for employees and dependents. These programs – available in live, interactive formats online – are designed to help you reduce the risk of long-term health conditions such as diabetes, or manage long-term health conditions if you are already diagnosed. Visit the Balanced You blog for more… Read More
Update on our services in Safe Start Phase 2
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC King County is now in Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s “Safe Start” plan, another step forward as we work to carefully and gradually recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our focus at Regional Animal Services of King County continues to be helping people and pets safely as our region emerges from the public health emergency. Many of our services can be accessed online or by phone from the comfort of your home, including animal control response, lost and found pet services, and pet licensing. Phase 2 allows many businesses and service providers to assist in-person… Read More
The virus hasn’t let up and we can’t either
Crossposted from Public Health Insider On June 19, King County was approved for Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start plan. Phase 2 allows for twice the capacity in retail, restaurants, and other businesses previously allowed in King County’s modified Phase 1 and goes into effect immediately. There are several new things that we can do in Phase 2. We can now enjoy eating out a favorite restaurant—and it will be roomy because capacity is limited to 50%. You can shop more easily to get what you need at a clothing store. You can gather… Read More
King County enters Phase 2 of Safe Start recovery plan
King County’s application to enter Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start recovery plan was approved by the state Department of Health last Friday, allowing many businesses following the state guidelines to operate at double the capacity of the modified Phase 1. Following approval by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, King County has officially entered Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start recovery plan to allow limited business re-opening. Phase 2 allows for twice the capacity in retail, restaurants, and other businesses Read more in the official press release.
Emergency Deployment Program needs your administrative and project management skills
Do you have administrative, finance, data entry or project management skills and want to assist with King County’s response to the coronavirus? If so, we need you! As King County continues to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and keep our workforce, workplace, and community safe, there is an urgent need to fill administrative-related roles within the county. These opportunities for temporary work redeployment are available to employees who can assist with COVID-19 related concerns. In support of the county’s mandatory telecommuting order, most roles can be done remotely. Some assignments can… Read More
Some good news
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog We interrupt this beautiful day to bring you beautiful news – more water taxi service is floating your way starting Monday, June 22! As Washington State moves forward with its “Safe Start” plan, the Marine Division is enhancing service on the water taxi routes to Vashon Island and West Seattle starting next week. Both routes will operate a Monday to Friday commuter schedule. This means that service will triple over its current level of service. Read more.
Featured Job: Public Defense Investigator
Salary : $36.22 – $45.91 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Multiple job types-career service and/or temp Department: DPD – Public Defense Job Number: 2020SE11769 Closing: 6/30/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
King County Metro restores some transit service starting June 22
Crossposted from Metro Matters With stabilized workforce levels and the state’s “Safe Start” plan moving forward, King County Metro will restore service on dozens of bus routes, increase water taxi service, and partially restore Via to Transit on Monday, June 22. The move fully restores 23 bus routes that were canceled in March and April and adds trips to other routes. A few recently canceled peak commuter routes will be restored, while other routes will remain suspended due to financial constraints and lower anticipated ridership. The result is Metro will operate more… Read More
Community support: Helping seniors stay safe at home during COVID-19
Crossposted from Community Connections The growing senior population in King County has been facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. Our Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) funded senior centers have prioritized keeping their community of seniors safe while adapting typical service delivery and developing new ways to meet clients’ needs. Below, we feature three VSHSL-funded senior centers that have found creative ways to serve seniors during this challenging time. Read more.
Mindfulness Classes: Back by popular demand, multiple dates
As we continue to maneuver through this very difficult time in our society, it is important that we manage our mental health and stress levels. Balanced You heard from employees that Mindfulness Classes have helped alleviate some of the anxiety many are experiencing, so we are continuing to provide them through August. In this two-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. The workshop includes hands-on learning of several simple but effective… Read More
Financial resources for King County employees
COVID-19 has resulted in urgent financial needs for many households. Fortunately, there are ways King County employees can receive financial help. Read this Balanced You blog post for information on T. Rowe Price and My Secure Advantage.
Navigating grief during COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider The COVID-19 pandemic may be introducing new layers of loss – social isolation, disrupted routines and cancelled future plans, financial strain, illness, and perhaps death – to everyday life. On top of COVID-19 and its varying effects, you may be feeling loss and pain as you process the continued harm and injustice to Black communities. Experiencing or realizing the layers of oppression and systemic racism communities are facing within this ongoing pandemic is painful, complex, and full of grief. Grief is the response you have to losses in… Read More
Juneteenth: Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States
Dear fellow King County employee, Tomorrow, June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 that Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with word that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved Africans were now free. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, and is an opportunity to reflect on and learn about our nation’s history, Black history, our shared history. It is a time to celebrate the vital contributions that Black and African Americans have made – and continue to make… Read More
King County distributing 25 million face coverings to residents, workers and businesses
With King County preparing for a transition to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, and county and state directives about face coverings in effect, the county is distributing 5 million cloth face coverings and 20 million disposable face coverings to residents, workers and businesses. “We made good progress at flattening the curve, and saved thousands of lives, but with increasing activity comes the need for ever-increasing vigilance to protect each other from COVID-19,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The county is providing these face coverings at no cost so… Read More
Finding connection and centering People of Color during Pride 2020
In June of every year, Pride Month – a celebration of visibility, equality, connection, and self-affirmation – is celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community across the country and around the world. This year, as the Black Lives Matter movement grows, it is important to remember that the first Pride was held in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots. These riots, led by trans women of color fighting against police brutality and oppression, were the catalyst for the rights our LGBTQ+ community has today. As we continue to protect ourselves and our community from… Read More
Looking back at Pride in celebration and solidarity
Usually at this time of year, King County employees, family, and friends are getting ready to take part in the Seattle Pride Parade and other community events in support of LGBTQ+ rights. While we can’t celebrate in person this year, we will celebrate the spirit of Pride, the fight for equality and acceptance for all, and the voices and rights of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people. We’ve put together short video to look back at King County Pride over the years, and remind us that the fight continues today. Watch the video here and… Read More
Pet of the Week: Sunny
Even when it’s gray and rainy outside, our Pet of the Week Sunny is ready to brighten your life! This seven-year-old boy was brought in by a good Samaritan on May 12. Sunny is a gentle and loving cat who likes to take things slow, so he’s one of our “Bashful Blue” pets. He may get nervous in new situations, so Sunny is looking for a family who understands that he might need some time to warm up. Once he gets to know you though, he will be a very devoted friend! … Read More
Featured Job: Communications Specialist III – TLT
Salary: $77,840.67 – $98,667.50 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk Department: DCHS – Community & Human Services Job Number: 2020SC11740 Division: Comm & Human Svcs Admin Closing: 6/28/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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