Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Balanced You Conversations is a series of talks about important topics related to overall health and well-being. Karla Clark, Employee Health & Wellness Project/Program Manager III with the Balanced You team, sits down with Debra Berliner, Communications and Education Team Manager, Immunization Branch at Public Health – Seattle & King County. They discuss vaccine safety, access, and community impact. Deborah explains that children’s immune systems are strong enough to handle multiple vaccines at once, and that doing so is both safe and convenient. She shares that all children ages zero to 18… Read More
Being prepared for an emergency helps us to keep one another safe and to continue providing essential services to the people of King County. In the case of a significant disaster or emergency, county leaders must prioritize which functions and services will be provided, and which can be delayed or suspended. This prioritization informs King County’s employee emergency designations. Executive branch departments are in the process of communicating employee emergency designations to their employees using three designations. Read more.
King County employees can now take advantage of the following discounts. WA State Fair Oktoberfest: Employees can take advantage of a discount for single day admission to Oktoberfest at the Washington State Fair Event Center, Oct. 3-5. Enjoy Bavarian entertainment, food, beer, games and more. Learn more here. King County employee Seahawks discount tickets: The Seattle Seahawks are excited to present an exclusive ticket offer to all King County Employees. Seahawks vs. Colts, Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:25 p.m., $85 Seahawks vs. Rams, Thursday, Dec. 18 at 5:15 p.m., $85 Purchase tickets here. For assistance, call… Read More
October is bursting with opportunities to honor the power of learning! World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5 shines a spotlight on the incredible educators who shape minds, spark curiosity, and build brighter futures; often while navigating underfunded schools, packed classrooms, and limited resources. It’s also National Book Month, a time to celebrate the stories, knowledge, and imagination that books bring to life. What better way to support both than through the Annual Giving Drive? Let’s rally together to uplift education and literacy by donating to nonprofits that champion teachers, students, and lifelong learning…. Read More
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green Seasonal weather predictions for this fall and winter predict a pattern similar to last year, including, an enhanced risk of snow and possible flooding early in the season, followed by neutral conditions later in winter and early spring. No matter what seasonal forecasts call for, the fact remains that flooding is the most common natural disaster in King County. If you live, work, play, or commute through King County, don’t be caught off guard – just a few inches of floodwater can cause damage to your… Read More
Crossposted from Metro Matters Every weekday, our transit agency’s employees connect more than 300,000 riders to countless destinations in Washington state. But it’s our more than two million residents and visitors who truly drive King County Metro. A year ago, APTA credited Metro for having the second-fastest growing ridership among large transit agencies in the U.S. Since then, even more people are choosing our system and they’re doing so because we’re listening to them and meeting their needs. Read more.
Crossposted from the DAJD Employee Newsletter For two decades, José Reynaga has been a dedicated custodian for King County, ensuring that the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) remains safe, clean, and welcoming every day. Beyond his essential custodial work, Reynaga has nurtured something extraordinary that brightens the lives of everyone around him: His passion for gardening and flowers. Read more. Pictured: Miae Aramori, left, and José Reynaga, right, showcasing two of Reynaga’s beautiful floral arrangements at a recent CCFJC staff appreciation event.
King County government observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an annual paid holiday on the second Monday in October, which falls on Oct. 13 in 2025. This holiday provides an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge about our nation’s history and the institutionalized practices and policies that continue to harm Indigenous people today. It will also help us further our understanding of Indigenous heritage and culture, and the many ongoing contributions of Indigenous people in our region. Most County operations will close on Oct. 13, but some will continue, including some court… Read More
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro’s commitment to improving the safety of our employees and riders remains unwavering. We have a clear-eyed focus on what people, process, technology, and other resource investments we need to make to make a meaningful impact on transit safety. At the heart of Metro’s commitments are continuing to focus on how we care for our employees and how we care for our riders. The King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force identified opportunities to coordinate across sectors to prevent, deter, and ensure people are following our… Read More
When you support local businesses in Skyway, you’re doing more than just shopping — you’re fueling the local economy, creating jobs, and helping build a stronger, more connected community. Every coffee, workout, or meal purchased in Skyway keeps dollars circulating where they matter most, right here at home. The Department of Local Services’ Basha Alexander dropped by some of those businesses recently. Some have been in the area for more than 30 years while others are relative newcomers to the Skyway area. View the original post on Instagram here.
Crossposted from Headwaters Oh, October. The crisp breeze hinting at cooler days to come. The stunning displays of fall foliage. The shifting, softening sunlight. If you love this time of year, you’re not alone: toxic algae do, too, and typically peak in our lakes this month! Fortunately, the Science Section has a team of lake scientists who work with other King County agencies and local communities to help keep people and pets safe from toxic algae. Together we monitor, test, and respond to algae incidents so everyone can enjoy our lakes safely all year long. Read… Read More
Crossposted from Public Health Insider As we age, caring for our brain becomes just as important as protecting our heart, bones, and muscles. The Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. POINTER study offers hopeful news: lifestyle changes, especially those that target multiple risk factors, can help preserve memory and thinking skills in older adults. The best part? These strategies are practical, science-backed, and easy to start. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or thinking ahead for yourself, here are four ways to invest in your brain health, starting today! Read more.
Bloodworks Northwest will be at the Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue in Seattle, on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for blood donations. Book your appointment online here. Enter “King County” for the Sponsor Name. Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same-day appointments are available at most locations. Photo identification is required. Need help booking an appointment? Call Bloodworks’ Donor Care Team at 1-800-398-7888 or email schedule@bloodworksnw.org. Bloodworks is your local source for blood. Your donation can save lives. Blood donors help support a lifesaving blood supply to 95%… Read More
Various groups and communities have been targeted by executive orders and policy directives recently issued by the federal administration. Guided by our values and True North, King County will continue to provide county services and programs that support all communities and all people, including immigrants and refugees, women, transgender people, LGBTQ+ people, people of all racial identities, people with disabilities, and people of every religion, or of no religion. We are steadfast in our commitment to our employees. There are many services and resources offered by King County and organizations in the community… Read More
National Customer Service Week is Oct. 6-10, and it’s an opportunity to recognize the hundreds of employees at King County who serve and support our customers every day. “We focus on the customer” is an Executive Branch core value. To standardize the customer service approach at King County, the Customer Service Playbook offers guidance and tips for employees who support customers, both internal and external. Providing exemplary customer service is what we aspire to at King County. It’s what we must do to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Thanks… Read More
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green It’s 4:30 p.m., you’re still at work when you get a flood alert saying the Snoqualmie River has reached phase 2 – minor flooding is expected in low lying areas. Because you know that driving through floodwaters is dangerous, you need to check to see what the conditions are, plan what route you’ll take home, and figure out how the rest of your night might be impacted. The King County Flood Warning Center is here to make sure that information is available. In the following interview… Read More
King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 16 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness. Employees will receive test messages from KCInform via phone, text, and email. KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable)… Read More
Crossposted from Metro Matters From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we recognize Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx/Hispanic communities across our region and country. This observance also highlights the importance of representation, connection, and belonging; values we strive to integrate into our workplace and service every day at Metro. Read more.
Join the Employee Giving Program as we meet the nonprofits that make our Annual Giving Drive possible! Nonprofit Expos are a great chance for King County employees to connect with different nonprofit organizations, ask questions, and form connections! Come curious, as we have a unique opportunity to share resources, connect with new people, and create long-lasting connections. These expos are open to all King County employees. Employees do not need to register to attend. Read more. Start Something Good. Give Today. Learn more about how to join the Annual Giving Drive.
The Switch Your Trips (SYT) promotion has officially begun! Leave the car at home during October and reap the benefits of trying other modes of transportation. Complete and log at least 10 trips using a qualifying travel option—that’s carpool, vanpool, bus, train, light rail, foot ferry, bicycle, walking, rolling, skateboarding, or a combination of all modes — and you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win some great prizes — including $1,500, $500, or one of many other great prizes. So, join your fellow King County employees… Read More