Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office employee newsletter Recently, the King County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Seattle Police to take part in the Special Olympics Washington Law Enforcement Torch Run, carrying the Flame of Hope along the Seattle waterfront. This annual tradition brings law enforcement agencies together across the country to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics programs, supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities. This annual event is more than just a run—it’s a show of unity, inclusion, and the kind of community support that goes far beyond public safety…. Read More
Jet Dental onsite clinics are coming to Metro! Metro is thrilled to partner with Jet Dental to bring professional dental care directly to Metro employees! Whether you’re due for a cleaning or want a brighter smile, this is your chance. A professional dental team will be onsite offering dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, and optional teeth whitening. The costs include: Dental Exam, Cleaning & X-rays: Billed to your dental insurance (or $150 without insurance) Teeth Whitening: $299 (not covered by insurance) Walk-ins welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged! Make sure to have your insurance info handy… Read More
Stay active and boost your mental health this summer with free, virtual fitness classes you can join from anywhere! Regular movement is proven to support well-being, and our Get Movin’ with Balanced You summer series makes it easy to stay on track. Enjoy live weekly sessions led by certified trainers, featuring yoga, stretching, cardio, core workouts, mat-based Pilates, tai chi, and strength training; a great opportunity for keeping your body moving and your mind refreshed all season long. Check out the new summer schedule here. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the Get Movin’… Read More
On July 3, King County Executive Shannon Braddock announced that applications for the Executive’s Small Business Awards are now open. There are eight Small Business of the Year award categories: Overall Small Business, Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Exporting, Green/Sustainable, Workforce Development, Rural, and Creative Economy. “Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, providing jobs, driving innovation, and reflecting the rich diversity of our region,” said Executive Braddock. “It’s an honor to celebrate the entrepreneurs whose vision and determination power King County’s economy and strengthen our communities.” To be eligible, businesses must be located within King… Read More
King County Executive Shannon Braddock today announced the winners of the 2025 Green Globe Awards, King County’s highest honor for environmental stewardship. The Environmental Catalyst award went to Seattle Times environmental reporter and award-winning author Lynda Mapes. Other winners included an effective hunger relief program that was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, a regional bicycle donation hub, an organization that is advancing equitable access to outdoor experiences, and a nonprofit that is developing transit-friendly, sustainable homes that will be permanently affordable. Read more.
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee newsletter Last May, members of the King County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent both our agency and the state of Washington during National Police Week. While in our nation’s capital, our team took part in several moving ceremonies, including standing watch at the National Candlelight Vigil for Fallen Officers, and joining agencies from around the world on stage at the U.S. Capitol to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These moments are more than symbolic—they’re a reminder of… Read More
King County employees get access to exclusive discounts and deals through ticketsatwork.com. Experience the magic of Disneyland. Save up to $64 on multi-day tickets to the Disneyland® Resort—where every visit brings a new kind of happy. With endless things to do, it’s the perfect place for summer family fun. Learn more here. TicketsatWork is updated daily with seasonal offers and exclusive savings on everything from home entertainment to your everyday needs. Visit ticketsatwork.com/tickets and use the company code KingCounty to begin receiving discounts and extra special offers on your go-to brands and most-loved experiences, including brand new offers on cruises, just… Read More
Crossposted from King County Local With the dry season fast approaching, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas of King County. This ban, which prohibits yard debris fires and fires set to clear land, takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., June 30. The ban is being issued in conjunction with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals Association. It does not apply to recreational fires or gas/propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers, or charcoal grills. Expected periods of higher… Read More
Crossposted from Public Health Insider By Public Health’s Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Team Beyond scenic views and fresh air, the trails of King County offer something deeper—a chance to recharge mentally, physically, and even emotionally. And there’s no better time than the gorgeous Puget Sound summer to embrace the outdoors! Here are some of our favorite ways to hike, run, or simply wander among the trees for our own well-being: South Tiger Mountain, Middle Fork Snoqualmie, and Twin Falls: “For me, trail running is more than fitness—it’s a mental reset and a way… Read More
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Are you interested in learning more about the resources and services available in your community? The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Resource Access Team is hosting a series of Resource Access Fairs across King County. Connect with local organizations and services funded through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, and enjoy a day of food, refreshments, and community connections. Read more.
Crossposted from Metro Matters Fireworks, parades, picnics and festivals on July Fourth — there’s so much going on! Here’s some things to know before stepping onto transit on July 4 to get to your celebration. King County Metro buses are operating on Sunday schedules on July 4 and there are reroutes planned in several areas due to events, such as parades and local festivals in Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, West Seattle and downtown Seattle. Please check our service advisories for your route before traveling. Seattle Streetcar The First Hill Line will operate regular service July… Read More
We wish all of our employees, their families, and the King County community a safe and wonderful Fourth of July. A few closures and notices will be in effect for the holiday: King County government offices will be closed to observe Independence Day on Friday, July 4. All offices will be back on schedule Monday, July 7. On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Crossposted from Metro Matters With great pride, King County Metro announced Thursday the Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year: Shannon Nale, an outstanding Transit Information Processing Specialist. Shannon, a payroll specialist who works out of Metro’s South Base, was recognized for her excellence by leaders and colleagues in a ceremony at the base, receiving a day off, a dedicated parking spot for the coming year, and plenty of accolades for her honor. Leaders and team members praised Shannon’s work, saying it’s vital to keeping Metro’s services safe, efficient and accountable. All her… Read More
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections After over a decade with King County Department of Community and Human Services, Sheila Ater Capestany will depart the Children, Youth and Young Adult Division for an exciting new chapter as Executive Director for Start Early Washington. Ahead of her departure, King County leaders and community members came together to recognize Sheila’s visionary leadership that ushered in one of the largest publicly funded initiatives for babies, young people and families in the country, Best Starts for Kids, and created the Children, Youth, and Young Adult Division. Read more. Pictured: From left, Former… Read More
King County employees are reminded to never reuse passwords across accounts and always enable multifactor authentication (MFA), also called two-step authentication. Recent news of 16 billion exposed credentials has made headlines around the globe. While this is not a new data breach (the list is a compilation of previously leaked credentials from various past incidents), it still serves as an important reminder: following cybersecurity best practices can help protect vital King County systems. Thank you for doing your part to safeguard King County! For questions or assistance, contact the KCIT Helpdesk.
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s proposed 2025 supplemental budget includes $26.1 million in safety and security investments for King County Metro. In partnership, the City of Seattle has committed more than $5 million in voter-approved funding to support Metro’s 2025 safety and security efforts. To support safe, vibrant, and healthy communities where everyone can thrive, King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s proposed 2025 supplemental budget, with funding support from the City of Seattle, will strengthen both transit safety and security. Read more.
The Seattle Seahawks are excited to present an exclusive ticket offer to all King County Employees for the following games: Seahawks vs. Chiefs, Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. $40 Seahawks vs. Texans, Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. $85 Seahawks vs. Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1:05 p.m. $85 Seahawks vs. Rams, Thursday, Dec. 18 at 5:15 p.m. $85 Purchase tickets here. For assistance, call or email Ruby Fera at RubyF@Seahawks.com or 425-203-8134. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Did you know? About half of all pets that go missing every year are lost around the Fourth of July. It’s a scary statistic, but fortunately there are steps you can take to help keep your dog, cat, or other animals safe from the bang, boom, and pop of fireworks. Before the fireworks Exercise your pet in the daytime before fireworks begin. That can help tire them out so they sleep through the peak of the noise. Check your pet’s license, ID tag, and/or microchip, and make sure… Read More
The second application period for the 2025 Professional Development Scholarship Program ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2025 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition. The Scholarship Program is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU, and is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing up to $3,000 annually towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications. Awardees for this period will be notified… Read More
Operators at King County’s West Point Treatment Plant credit the new onsite battery system for providing reliable power during its first year of service, ensuring critical pumps operated during 78 power disruptions. Engineers estimate that 15 of those power disruptions were severe enough to potentially cause an emergency bypass of untreated wastewater into Puget Sound had the onsite batteries not been activated in June 2024. Pumps at the state’s largest treatment plant were powered exclusively by the 16.8-megawatt battery system during each of those disruptions. King County Executive Shannon Braddock praised the… Read More