Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Crossposted from DES Express Three heavy-duty mechanic apprentices joined the Fleet Services team earlier this year, the first in a new apprenticeship program designed to grow the workforce from within. The program is also aimed at diversifying what has traditionally been a white male workforce. Mason Keselburg started Jan. 13. Christina “Tina” Taylor and Michael Domiquel both started on Jan. 27. They have all graduated from a trade school, with Keselburg as a recent graduate. Taylor will be Fleet’s first woman mechanic and Domiquel identifies as Asian. Read more from DES Express
Looking for some Election Day excitement? Meet your neighbors and continue your commitment to public service by volunteering as a drop box closer. Drop box closers are the friendly face the public sees on Election Day, ensuring that every vote is counted, and every voice is heard. Who: You and your co-workers What: Closing ballot drop boxes across King County When: Election Night – March 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Where: A drop box location near you Most voters wait until Election Day to return their ballots, with drop boxes seeing the most traffic in… Read More
As we continue to respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Public Health is committed to providing up-to-date information to King County employees. Below you’ll find links to our most recent blog posts, as well as travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Planning for a novel coronavirus update: What you can do to prepare at home, at work and in the community – Our Public Health Insider blog features an interview with Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, about how we can prepare at home, at work and in the community… Read More
King County’s FLASH is a comprehensive, widely used sexual health education curriculum developed by Public Health – Seattle & King County that is designed to prevent teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and sexual violence, by utilizing a behavior change framework. “I think it’s important for people to know that FLASH is a public health intervention program, making it a very different type of curriculum,” Kari Kesler, FLASH Educator Consultant, said. The curriculum is continually updating in order to provide the most accurate information. It has been adopted in every school district… Read More
Since King County began conducting an annual Employee Engagement Survey, your feedback has shaped how we invest in YOU. These investments have had a measurable impact on the employee experience. Through the annual Employee Engagement Survey, employees said they wanted: Opportunities for career growth and skills development. A respectful workplace where people feel valued for their unique contributions. Strong follow through on our commitment to Equity and Social Justice (ESJ). Work-life balance and other supports for personal well-being and mental health. In response to these concerns, we acted on your feedback and:… Read More
Employees can now access discounted tickets to Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Monster Jam at CenturyLink Field in Seattle during March and April 2020. Monster Energy AMA Supercross is Saturday, March 28, 2020. Click here for instructions for the discount. Monster Jam is Saturday, April 4, 2020. Click here for instructions for the discount. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.
The Department of Human Resources’ Learning and Development team is hosting several trainings this month, including: Conflict Management for Women (Two Session) Workshop: Feb. 19 and 26, 2020. Register here. Time Management/Working Smarter: Feb. 21, 2020. Register here. Excel – Level 3: Feb. 22, 2020. Register here. Intro to Strategic Planning: Feb, 24, multiple dates. Register here. View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct out of the way, we’re putting the finishing touches on Columbia Street, transforming the street to connect buses between Alaskan Way and Third Avenue – one of the nation’s busiest busways. Opening Feb. 22, the new bus connection will be smoother and more reliable, bypassing previous freight train delays in SODO. (View map here.). New bus stops also will be within a block of Washington State Ferries at Colman Dock and the Metro Water Taxi at Pier 50, and buses will now carry riders from the waterfront to the… Read More
Check out the latest safety video with suggestions on how to be safe when walking to and from your workplace or other destinations. A few of the top tips: Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable, low profile and appropriate for the weather. Don’t carry too much. Overloading yourself can make you appear vulnerable. If you must carry a purse, carry it close to you. Never carry a wallet in your back pocket. Avoid walking alone. Walk or travel with a friend. In the downtown core, consider asking Facilities Management Division Security at 206-296-5000 for… Read More
Salary: $96,362.03 – $122,144.67 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DHR – Human Resources Job Number: 2020EM11334 Division: Career and Culture Closing: 2/24/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Don’t let the scowl fool you – our Pet of the Week Georgie is actually a sweetheart! This older tabby girl enjoys chillin’ in her human friends’ laps. Like most cats, Georgie also loves to relax, nap, purr, nap, and then repeat. She used to live in a home with another cat and a dog. She also lived with kids, but wasn’t a good fit there. Georgie can be a little shy around kids and other cats, and would prefer to be the only kitty in her new home. Read… Read More
Starting March 12, people will receive letters in the mail with instructions on how to complete the 2020 Census, the results of which will be used to inform how funding is distributed for things like schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation, as well as how many representatives states will have in Congress. People will have until July 31 to complete the census online, by mail, or over the phone. The census will not ask if respondents are a citizen, and it is illegal for the census to share information with law… Read More
It’s time to celebrate all the goodness! And that means celebrating you, our King County employees — the people who went above and beyond to make the Annual Giving Drive a success. You’re invited to our Annual Employee Giving Program Celebration and Awards. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, 8:30 – 10 a.m., King County Courthouse, 9th Floor, Room E-942 We are also looking for employees to share their Employee Giving Ambassador stories of inspiration, gratitude, and connection. Whatever goodness it was, we want to hear, and then share as part of the celebration. Submit stories… Read More
On Friday, Feb. 7, Executive Dow Constantine joined public health professionals and community leaders in a strong stance against stigma and discrimination that can be exacerbated during global disease outbreaks. Watch the full press conference here. We know that protecting health and safety is not only about safety from a virus, it is also about creating communities where people support each other and we all have our basic needs met. Public Health – Seattle & King County has launched new resources for our collective community to help address stigma. Right now there are a lot of rumors… Read More
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2020 to be Black History Month in King County. “Whereas. the scientific, technological, economic, political, and cultural innovations by Black Americans and African Americans have been essential to the progress of our nation and we will continue to honor these accomplishments every month and every day in Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., County, Washington State,” Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation.
Every year, the employee engagement team recommends improvements to the data and survey process that enhance the employee experience, increase the effectiveness of the data, and provide more useful analysis. That said, the team always retains the two most important elements of the survey: trending data, and the confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Changes to this year’s Employee Engagement Survey are: Everyone will take the survey electronically Data will be available four weeks sooner, creating more time for action planning Demographic questions are optional, will be more specific, and the option for “prefer not… Read More
On the final day of one of the rainiest months in the region’s recorded history, King County Executive Dow Constantine took a day-long tour of several wastewater treatment facilities. He was able to meet employees who work on the front lines, keeping treatment plants and pump stations operating 24/7 under adverse winter conditions. He started in Georgetown where construction of a major new facility, the Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station, is underway. It will treat polluted stormwater that currently flows directly into the Duwamish River during severe rainstorms. Afterwards, he was briefed on… Read More
The Balanced You Worksite Fund is back for its third year. Beginning in mid-February, employees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and apply. Previous applicants are also encouraged to re-apply. So, start connecting with colleagues and brainstorming ways you’d like to create positive change in your workplace this year. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information and a slide show of 2019 Worksite Fund projects.
The ESJ Opportunity Fund is a competitive process overseen by the Office of Equity and Social Justice that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity and social justice and complement the ESJ Strategic Plan. This year, 33 applications were received totaling more than $185,000 in requests, with a 2019-2020 ESJ Opportunity Fund budget of $75,000. This was a highly competitive process that highlights the commitment across the County to equity and social justice work, not only at the department and agency level but also of our… Read More
Salary: $38.32 – $42.13 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DES – Executive Services Job Number: 2020TM11251 Division: FMD – Facilities Mgmt Closing: 2/20/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.