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
KCIT fixing IT system Saturday, June 13
On Saturday, June 13, from midnight until 4 a.m., KCIT will be fixing a part of the IT system. This repair will fix a bug that has caused widespread outages over the last few weeks. Many IT systems will be down for about four hours. Some programs will stay online during the repair, while others will not. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which stay on and which will not. The good news is many everyday tools will not be affected. This includes Office 365 applications (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Planner) and Oracle EBS. Employees… Read More
Building Gender Inclusive Spaces online workshops, June 22 or June 26
As part of King County’s continuing efforts to lead with racial justice and in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Department of Human Resource’s Learning and Development team will be hosting two online workshops titled Building Gender Inclusive Spaces: Exploring the Intersection of Race and LGBTQ+ Identities. In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn foundational knowledge of gender and sexuality and best practices to support a gender diverse workforce, with a focus on the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. Participants will have the opportunity to move through real-life scenarios, apply their understanding… Read More
Bloodworks NW now offering Pop-Up Donor Center June 15 through July 29
The essential measures Bloodworks NW has taken for social distancing has taken away the usual setting for mobile blood drives that account for 60% of collections. With hospitals preparing to re-start surgeries, organ transplants and cancer treatments that were suspended in March, donors are needed now, and in the coming months. To help keep the blood supply stable during this unprecedented time, Bloodworks NW has partnered with the iconic STG Paramount Theatre to host a Pop-Up Donor Center, beginning June 15 through July 29. With King County on-site blood donations temporarily on hold, this is a great opportunity to give… Read More
Emotional well-being resources for Black communities
Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed continued harm to Black bodies and minds, harm that has been perpetuated for generations via institutions, policies, and laws in every community throughout the United States. The combined impact of police violence, a pandemic disproportionately affecting People of Color, and centuries of systemic racism places undue stress on Black communities. This stress continues to impact each individual Black person’s emotional well-being uniquely, based on their identity, support systems, and other contexts. Balanced You stands with Black Lives Matter and recognizes the resiliency and strength… Read More
PeopleSoft HCM outage this weekend, June 12-14
To allow for KCIT infrastructure maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available this weekend, June 12 through June 14. During this planned outage, KCIT will upgrade infrastructure including server maintenance that impacts the PeopleSoft system. As a precautionary measure, the PeopleSoft system will be taken offline and not available during this time. This work will begin on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to be completed by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window…. Read More
Black Lives Matter silent march and general strike Friday, June 12
Dear employee, Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLMSKC) has called for a statewide silent march and general strike across Washington on Friday, June 12. King County remains steadfast in our fight against racism, hatred, and violence, and in our commitment to our “We are racially just” value. We respect, value, and support people peacefully expressing their views and exercising their First Amendment rights. Employees who are scheduled to work and wish to attend any of the strike events on June 12 must follow their department’s appropriate leave policies. For more information on your… Read More
Use new W-4 to change your tax withholding
Form W-4 is used to let your employer know how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay. The IRS recommends completing a new Form W-4 when your personal or financial situation changes. This year, the IRS redesigned Form W-4 to reduce complexity and improve accuracy. Go to the IRS website for information about Tax Withholding, FAQs on the 2020 Form W-4, and a Tax Withholding Estimator. If you would like to adjust the amount withheld from your King County paycheck for tax purposes, please use PeopleSoft to update your W-4: Sign in to PeopleSoft…. Read More
PRIDE rides on
Crossposted from Metro Matters June 28, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride parade. Started in New York City, the event was originally known as Christopher Street Liberation Day. This activist-created march bloomed in reaction to the police raid against LGBTQ patrons of the Stonewall Inn, and the five days of community protests and riots a year earlier. The first Pride parade brought together thousands of participants. Today, millions participate in Pride events around the world. In 1977, Mayor Charles Royer made the first official declaration of Gay Pride Week in… Read More
King County submits plan to re-open limited business activity in COVID-19 recovery
King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, and King County Board of Health Chair Joe McDermott today submitted a plan to the state Department of Health that would allow limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses and personal activities. The county’s application includes recommendations from King County local health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin that would: allow all outdoor recreation permitted in Phase 2 in Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan expand opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities allow restaurants to begin opening indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity allow hair… Read More
COVID-19 and unrecognized realities experienced by black people
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Face coverings help protect our community from COVID-19. Unfortunately many members of the Black community are concerned that wearing face coverings may lead to dangerous and harmful encounters with law enforcement or other community members. Racism influences perceptions of face coverings and those wearing or not wearing them. After rounds of engagement and feedback from community partners, the decision was made to roll out the face covering policy as as a directive, not an order, so as to prevent further policing of black and brown communities or perpetuate further… Read More
Featured Job: Disease Research & Intervention Specialist – Hepatitis A
Salary: $30.67 – $38.88 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020AB11705 Division: Prevention Closing: 6/17/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
MOS and MTA Certifications available online
Through a partnership with the Washington Library System, Career Support Services and the Administrative Professionals Committee now offer employees the opportunity to connect with the King County Library and Seattle Public Library for MOS and MTA certification exams, as well as online study guides. Employees can earn their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certifications from home at no cost, as well as access study guides and practice tests to help earn the certification. As a reminder, employees may also use the online learning website www.Lynda.com at no cost with their… Read More
Tech Tip: Reminder about regular emails from KCIT vendor KnowBe4.com
Each Wednesday all King County email users will receive an email from authorized King County vendor KnowBe4.com about phishing scams. King County Information Technology (KCIT) has partnered with KnowBe4.com to regularly provide information and training to employees about phishing scams and other email red flags. KnowBe4.com is a leading industry expert in security awareness training. Its mission is to help employees to make smarter security decisions, every day, and keep the County’s and employees’ information secure. Employees are encouraged to read through the helpful information in each email and review the security tips… Read More
Reminder: PeopleSoft outage starting Friday, June 5, at 3 p.m.
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available this weekend, starting today, Friday, June 5, at 3 p.m. During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. This work will begin on Friday, June 5, at 3 p.m., and is scheduled to be completed by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. We realize that this outage impacts all… Read More
FSA rules relaxed in response to COVID-19
During Open Enrollment last year, you may have elected a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to have money taken from your paycheck, pretax, to pay for dependent day care or certain medical expenses not covered by your health plan. Now, your expenses may have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, so the IRS has relaxed rules pertaining to Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs. These changes are effective through the end of 2020. Increase or decrease your FSA contribution If you have a Health Care or Dependent Day Care FSA, you can… Read More
Working together to repair our region
On Sunday, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined King County employees and volunteers to clean up and repair damage done to County buildings and resources. Executive Constantine shared his experience on Twitter, and through this accompanying message. “I was in downtown Seattle this morning to personally thank King County employees and volunteers who are repairing our facilities that were damaged by violent opportunists who hijacked last night’s peaceful protest against racial injustice. Some of our facilities – a childcare center, a homeless shelter, a homeless day center, bus stops – had broken windows or were… Read More
PeopleSoft HCM outage this weekend, June 5-7
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available the weekend, June 5-7. During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. This work will begin on Friday, June 5, at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be completed by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. We realize that this outage impacts… Read More
Facilitating Effective Meetings online webinar, June 10 and 11
A common challenge faced by individuals in business is how to lead and facilitating meetings that are interesting and solicit active engagement. This two-day training covers the skills used by a facilitator to design and run an effective meeting. How to be a better participant is also discussed. Topics include specific facilitation skills, group decision making skills, and how to deal with disruptive behaviors. This webinar will be led by notable trainer and meeting facilitator Lenny Borer, who specializes in classes on communication and problem solving skills, meeting facilitation, instructor training and… Read More
Standing for justice as we keep our community safe from spread of COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Public Health – Seattle & King County shared perspectives from our local leadership about George Floyd’s tragic death, yet one more in an endless string of violence perpetrated against Black people in our country, and answered questions about participating in protests while reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19. Story: In recent days, community members joined protests locally and across the country in response to the death of George Floyd and so many Black lives that have been taken through senseless, violent and racist acts. This racism and hate comes… Read More
Resources available to identify and address COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have put together a useful website to support people during the coronavirus pandemic. It includes a list of possible symptoms to watch out for, such as fever, coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath. View the site here. The website shares how anyone can have mild to severe symptoms, but that older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk. Additional symptoms can include: Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or… Read More
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