Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
As we continue to move through the pandemic that has disrupted many of our lives, it is important that we get the right nutrition and enough exercise to keep us healthy. Join us for this free, live, interactive webinar as we talk to two experts who will give you some great ideas on how to keep family meals interesting and how to keep the family moving. Wednesday, August 12, from 10 – 11 a.m. Register here. For questions or more information, contact Balanced You at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov or call 206-263-9626.
Often when we think of vacation, we think of traveling. With travel restricted right now, it might be tempting to conclude that we don’t need to take a vacation from work. This might feel especially true if your favorite or dream holiday destination is temporarily off limits. 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 friends, and devote energy toward our communities. And… Read More
Crossposted from Public Health Inisider On July 24th, 2020, Dr. Jeff Duchin gave an update on the COVID-19 outbreak in King County as the current seven-day average of new cases reached the highest level since the beginning of April. Dr. Duchin addressed the importance of minimizing the number of close contacts people have outside the house and emphasized the need for making long-term behavior changes. Read more.
A lay-off may be difficult to cope with mentally and emotionally. Some feelings you may experience include grief, anger, sadness, hopelessness, or relief. Any feelings you experience are valid. Remember that there are steps you can take and resources you can access to support your mental health and emotional well-being during this process. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
Crossposted from the DES Express Kevin Nuechterlein, Capital Project Manager, and Matt Sykora, Properties and Business Development Administrator, are both back at the airport after having served as part of the Donations Management Team at King County Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nuechterlein was part of the first small group of employees who, under Senior Emergency Management Program Manager Janice Rahman’s leadership, worked with KCIT in March to develop a web-based platform to match donors with those who needed personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer or other items. Read more.
On Friday, July 24, King County Executive Dow Constantine released his annual State of the County address, in which he discussed King County’s historic challenges and changes, and announced new actions in human services, the criminal legal system, and the environment. His announcements included: Maintaining the nearly one-third reduction in adult detention we have achieved during the COVID-19 crisis, and beginning a phased closing of the King County Correctional Center after the pandemic. Proposed investments to help create safe and community-based solutions for the increasingly difficult youth cases that remain, fully converting… Read More
Sunday, July 26, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which enshrined the civil rights of people with disabilities into law. King County Executive Dow Constantine filmed a short message to celebrate the milestone, which you can watch here, or below. We also put together a short video that highlights some of the County’s work to expand opportunities for people with disabilities, which you can watch here.
Look fast because here comes Bullet, our Pet of the Week! This nine-year-old boy came to RASKC because the people in his previous home couldn’t keep up with his active lifestyle. He lived in a home with children, but would prefer older kids who can respect him and his space, or an adults-only home. His previous owner described Bullet as active, gentle, and loving. Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
As King County continues its work to slow the spread of COVID-19, all Executive Branch employees must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths if they are likely to be in contact with another individual and distancing of six feet is not able to be maintained, per the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. The only exceptions are: Any individual who has a physical disability that prevents easily wearing or removing a face covering; Any individual who is deaf and uses facial and mouth movements as part… Read More
Dear fellow King County employee, On Feb. 29, 2020, the nation’s first death from novel coronavirus was reported here in King County. Since then, we have had to radically change our way of life and the way we work to slow the spread of COVID-19. By maintaining social distancing, changing the way we deliver services, telecommuting wherever possible, implementing measures to keep front line staff safer, practicing good hygiene, and wearing cloth face masks, we have helped to slow the spread of the virus and save countless lives. However, we need to… Read More
Salary: $33.73 – $37.09 Hourly Location: Multiple locations in King County, WA Job Type: Civil Service, Full Time, 40/hrs Wk Department: KCSO – Sheriff’s Office Job Number: 2019MA09807 Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) posted a new episode of its Future of Work podcast series on “The Role of Universal Design in Workplace Inclusion and Accessibility.” In the episode, Brook McCall, Director of the Tech Access Initiative at the United Spinal Association, discusses workplace technology challenges for mobility disabilities. Listen to the PEAT podcast here, and learn more about PEAT at their website.
The Employment First Community of Practice will present a webinar on “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Individual Placement and Support: Improving the Working Lives of People with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders.” This webinar will be held Wednesday, July 29 from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. Register here. This webinar will discuss how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to individuals in recovery from substance use disorders in three phases of employment: pre-offer, post-offer, and work. They will use scenarios to discuss and illustrate the application of the ADA. It will also highlight Individual… Read More
Join together in celebrating 30 years of progress for all. A program celebrating the 30-year Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be hosted by TVW, the Washington Public Affairs Network on Monday, July 27 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The program will be accessible and will include: Presentations by Governor Inslees and Lt. Governor Habib Speaking presentations by advocates and community leaders Musical entertainment Historical video footage Interactive panel discussion Visit TVW to watch the celebration at www.tvw.org.
In addition to a small community pet food bank located at the Kent facility, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is proudly working with a number of public and private organizations to provide pet food and supplies to the communities we serve. Thanks to the generous donations of national charities, we are working together to distribute food to various locations. An interactive map of these locations is available here. Mobile pet food banks are also organized throughout the King County area. These pop-up pet food banks will be announced throughout RASKC social media channels and events calendar. Read more about this… Read More
Salary: $96,012.80 – $124,716.80 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020-11863 Division: Prevention Closing: 7/27/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Public Health – Seattle & King County supports school districts across King County that have made the tough decision to begin the school year with online learning. The current level of COVID-19 transmission in King County is of serious concern. The increase in COVID-19 cases is continuing with an average of 157 cases per day over the last week, up from 36 cases per day reported in early June. This is the highest volume of cases reported since early April. Read more.
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I released my annual State of the County address – from my home in West Seattle. I discussed King County’s historic challenges and changes, and announced new actions in human services, the criminal legal system, and the environment. In my address, I announced that I intend to propose maintaining the nearly 1/3 reduction in adult detention we have achieved during the COVID-19 crisis, and beginning a phased closing of the King County Correctional Center after the pandemic. And, with youth detention numbers at record lows, I will… Read More
King County Elections mailed out Primary election ballots last week. Voters who have not received their ballot yet can contact Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683). This election, voters have the opportunity to weigh in on 52 offices including statewide offices such as Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Congressional representatives, and state legislative seats. Some voters will also have measures from their local fire district on their ballots. Ballots are due by Election Day, August 4, and can be mailed with no stamp necessary or dropped in one of the 69 drop box locations across the county. If mailing a ballot, Elections… Read More
King County Information Technology (KCIT) is now offering online trainings for employees – wherever they may be. KCIT understands that as employees adapt to working from home, they are being asked to use new and changing technologies. The KCIT Training Team wants to support each employee to feel confident in their new, remote work environment. The “Training Hub” provides on-demand, self-guided technology trainings when and where employees need them most. Employees are encouraged to explore the KCIT Training Hub by: Taking a quick, guided tour using the How to Use the KCIT Training… Read More