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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
Saving more lives than ever before
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) continues to set the standard when it comes to saving animals’ lives. This year, more than 4,100 dogs, cats, and other animals in our care were adopted to new families or returned to their lost owner. Because of this amazing work, we expect to achieve another organizational milestone in 2019, reaching a live release rate for dogs and cats of 95%. This again puts RASKC in rare company for public, open-admission animal shelters in the United States. The credit for this… Read More
Pet of the Week: Yasu
Hi! My name is Yasu and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by a good samaritan on December 14, 2019. I’m a bit under socialized because I’ve spent my whole socialization prime time with my litter, which means that I haven’t received a lot of consistency or human attention. I’m ready to begin my life with a new family! I am a young dog with who needs some social skills and consistent training added to my life. I’m super sweet and affectionate, but I’m also incredibly high energy and intelligent. This means I… Read More
Happy Holidays to all our employees, we are thankful for you!
Happy Holidays to all our employees! Know we are thankful for you, and appreciate all that you bring to King County! Thank you for your integrity in your work and compassion for our residents.
In January, eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you meet all of the following criteria: You enrolled in PERS Plan 2 before Sept. 1, 2002. You are currently in an eligible position. You will earn service credit in January. Here’s how: Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. Complete a DRS Member Transfer Form Return it to the King County Benefits, Payroll… Read More
Navigating a loved one’s military deployment
When a member of the military is deployed, it is challenging not only for the service member, but also for family members, especially during the holidays. Providing support to individuals and their family members currently serving is a meaningful way to impact and uplift each employee and their wellbeing. “My wife, Stephanie, is a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has been serving for 17 years. Her unit has been deployed since March of 2019 so it will be nearly a year before I see her again,” said Ariana Bostian-Kentes, Learning… Read More
Director John Diaz honors DAJD employees who are on active duty
DAJD Director John Diaz was inspired to speak out to acknowledge not only DAJD’s five employees who will be deployed over the holidays, but all County employees who currently serve in the National Guard or Reserve, and their families who support them.
Bicycle repair discount for employees
Local mobile bicycle repair business Shots and Sprockets promotes an inclusive bicycle culture in the greater Seattle area with safety-focused bicycle maintenance and reliable products provided through the convenience of mobile repair vans. King County employees can now receive 10% off all parts and labor on repairs and all retail items. Employees must show a proof of employment at time of service (ID, paystub, etc.). Schedule service online at the Shots and Sprockets website or by calling 206-724-2994 between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week. Service is also available during the workday onsite through a… Read More
A warm thank you to our employee audience
Our top stories, videos, and social media posts for 2019 Throughout 2019, the Department of Human Resources Employee Communications Team highlighted the professional accomplishments, challenges and successes of our employees, as well as King County opportunities and important events. These were shared in our weekly Employee News newsletter, the KC Employee News blog, our KCEmployees Twitter account, the King County, WA LinkedIn account, and our King County Employees YouTube channel. Thank you to all our readers for engaging with our content, sharing it with others, and helping us to be successful in providing you… Read More
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides on King County Metro
King County Metro will help riders safely usher in 2020 with free bus rides from 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve through 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Free rides on Metro service are sponsored in part by Seattle Center, which draws thousands of people for New Year’s Eve festivities. In addition to Metro buses, rides are also free on Via to Transit Southeast Seattle, DART, Seattle Streetcar, Community Van, Community Ride, and Access paratransit. “There’s no better night to leave your car at home than New Year’s Eve, and with free… Read More
New overtime rules for salaried workers adopted by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries announced rule changes to raise the income threshold of salaried workers eligible for overtime compensation. The Dec. 11 rule change is the strongest in the nation and is expected to cover an estimated 250,000 workers once fully implemented. The previous threshold of $23,660 per year will now be tied to minimum wage and will increase to $83,356 by 2028. “Working Washingtonians should be able to count on fair treatment and fair pay. Modernizing overtime protections will help make that promise real for thousands of workers… Read More
Department of Retirement Systems notice on public records request
The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) will release information in response to a public records request DRS received for certain items of information “for each person currently employed by a public employer in Washington,” and has asked employers to share this notice with employees. The DRS advises that some of the information items requested are subject to public disclosure and will be released to the requesting organization on Jan. 3, 2020. Read more on the DRS website. For information or questions, contact DRS at 844-704-6780 or drs.pdrnotice@drs.wa.gov.
Have you completed Cyber Security Awareness Training?
All King County employees are required to complete Cyber Security Awareness Training in 2019. Have you taken it yet? There are 12 training modules, and it takes approximately 50 minutes to complete all 12. Each module is only a few minutes long. To start your Cyber Security Awareness Training, please login at https://sso.securingthehuman.org/kingcounty Your account for Securing the Human: Username: King County email address Password: King County email password For more information about Cyber Security, please visit our Sharepoint site.
Featured Job: Feedback and Analytics Manager
Salary: $116,494.98 – $147,664.19 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Appointed Department: EXEC – Executive’s Office Job Number: 2019SWMJ10999 Division: Office of Perf Strategy & Budget Closing: 1/6/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Pet of the Week: Jojo
Jojo is a 1 year-old, brown, female, Doberman Pinscher mix (A601685). Her personality color is RED, meaning she is a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality. Jojo can be very hyper and is still working on her manners, so she would do best with a family who is willing to work with her and help her become the best dog she can be! Jojo is a very friendly girl who loves to play. Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
Focus on values: We focus on the customer
Dear employee, As public servants, “We focus on the customer” is not only one of our core values – it’s also part of every employee’s work, whether their customer is a member of the public, or another county employee. Over the past eight years, through training, collaborating, and learning from employees about their experiences and challenges, we’ve created a common understanding of what excellent customer service looks like in King County. There are of course minor variations between departments due to different mandates and regulatory roles, yet we all have a common… Read More
Reduced Link service for 10 weeks from Jan. 4 – March 15
From Jan. 4 to March 15, Sound Transit is building new tracks that connect downtown Seattle to the Eastside. When open in 2023, East Link trains will serve 19 stations from Northgate to Redmond, including 10 new stations in Judkins Park, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond. Trains will continue running during heavy construction, but there will be reduced service for 10 weeks. Here are the basics: Trains will run every 12 minutes, every day of the week All trains will have four cars Riders traveling through Pioneer Square Station will change trains on a… Read More
Employee representative needed for Deferred Compensation Board
The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board is seeking a King County employee for a three-year term as a board representative. Applications are due Jan. 31, 2020. In keeping with the vision of the King County Strategic Plan for Equity and Social Justice, the board is keenly interested in broadening the diversity of perspectives represented on the board. The employee representative must currently participate in the King County Deferred Compensation Plan—prior board experience is not required. As a board member, you will: Attend monthly meetings Devote a reasonable amount of time to working on… Read More
A DPD mitigation specialist begins to use videos to tell clients’ stories
By Leslie Brown, Department of Public Defense At a recent sentencing of a client represented by the Department of Public Defense (DPD), the judge heard a compelling story about the father of two at the table before him – but not only from his public defender. He also watched a 20-minute video, a film that showed how much the man was loved and supported despite addictions that had led him down a troubled path. His mother spoke about his empathy. His best friend said he’d offer him a job. His fiancée discussed… Read More
2020 CPR/AED training dates available
Registration is open to all King County employees for Basic CPR classes offered in the Chinook Building. Classes cover Adult, Child and Infant CPR, AED, and Choking Rescue. To register and view the full schedule, visit www.kccpr.eventbrite.com. Additionally, registration is open for the BLS for Health Care Provider classes. This class is intended for Public Health- Seattle & King County employees who are required to have BLS for Healthcare provider card as a condition of employment. To register and view the full schedule, visit www.kcbls2020.eventbrite.com. For questions or more information, contact Laura Miccile at 206-477-8664 or Laura.Miccile@kingcounty.gov.
What’s happened to traffic since SR 99 tunnel tolling started
Crossposted from Metro Matters One month after tolling began in the State Route 99 tunnel, we’re getting our first few weeks of traffic data. While it’s still early, SR 99 tunnel usage remains high and exceeds forecasts. Traffic volumes were within normal ranges on I-5 and ridership on King County Metro Transit remained consistent. Initial information from Seattle-area transportation partner agencies reflects weekday data between Nov. 12 and Nov. 22. (Thanksgiving week was excluded as it is an unusual travel week). Traffic patterns vary and we expect they will continue to change as… Read More
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