Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
The Employee Giving Program (EGP) hosts multiple expos for employees to meet amazing nonprofits and get to know the work they are doing in the community. This year the EGP offers an online option, every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. via Skype. Here employees can meet nonprofits in an online webinar and learn about a specific topic each week. View the upcoming schedule below, and click on the link to download a calendar invite to Outlook with Skype access information. Oct. 31: Animals Nov. 7: To be decided Nov. 14: Youth Nov. 21: Environment … Read More
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program started Oct. 7, and almost 1,200 nonprofits are taking part this year. Throughout this year’s drive, we’ll be featuring four nonprofits in different categories. This week, we’re highlighting nonprofits that support communities that are impacted by natural disasters and focus on relief efforts. American Red Cross Northwest Region (9343) 1900 25th Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98144 – This foundation prevents and alleviates human suffering, in the face of emergencies and natural disasters, by the power of mobilizing volunteers and generosity of others. Peace Winds America (9472) 2366 Eastlake Avenue East,… Read More
This story is part of our series celebrating Disability Awareness Month. Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right; however, for individuals with a sensory, mental or physical disability, this access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system. GR 33 requires courts to provide prompt response to requests for accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination… Read More
Don’t miss your opportunity to evaluate your benefit choices and make changes. If you haven’t already done so, make sure the right benefit options are in place for you and your family next year. See what’s changing next year. Review the Benefit Access Fee associated with your medical plan if you cover a spouse or domestic partner. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment. Consider enrolling in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income, but you must enroll each year. In-person assistance with Open Enrollment… Read More
Mindful Leadership, Dec. 5: A mindful leader embodies leadership presence by cultivating focus, clarity, creativity, and compassion in the service of others. Leadership presence is a tangible quality. Mindful leaders can fell the space in fast-paced, high-stress situations and work to create a culture of trust. Leadership presence is a tangible quailty. This requires full and complete attention, with curiosity and openness, in the present moment. Those around a mindful leader see and feel that presence. Register and learn more. View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Crosssposted from Metro Matters Metro’s new Access Paratransit operator, MV Transportation, brings a renewed customer service focus to the service, with offerings on the horizon including app-based scheduling, expanded multilingual support, higher on-time performance, and tighter pick-up and drop-off windows. But first, when Metro’s new contract with MV begins October 26, operations will focus on creating a seamless transition for customers and helping them know the resources available to them, should they need extra assistance. Access, Metro’s American Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit program, is for people whose disabilities prevent them from using Metro’s… Read More
Through the Harborstone Credit Union Preferred Employer Program, when employees open a new membership that includes a savings, checking, and direct deposit, they will receive a $100 deposited to the account, a 0.25% discount on vehicle loans, and a paid appraisal on home loan purchases and refinances that are funded through Harborstone (a $700 average value). To receive the discount and apply, employees should contact Galileo Tan, Preferred Employer Program Manager, at 206–310-7204 or galileo.tan@harborstone.com. With BECU, Employees can earn a $200 bonus deposit by opening a new Member Advantage Money Market account and meeting the member advantage requirements. Find… Read More
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Say hello to this handsome gentleman – Dusty is our Pet of the Week! This senior boy is very sweet and loving, and loves pets from head to tail. His favorites are head rubs and scratches behind his ears. Dusty also likes the double-cheek smoosh – where you gently rub both his cheeks at the same time. He may even do the roly poly as you pet him! And unlike some cats, Dusty enjoys a good gentle belly rub. Read more from Tails from RASKC
Salary: $101,566.41 – $131,934.41 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2019-10738 Closing: 11/7/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Empowering lives and strengthening communities since 1994, the King County Drug Court is holding a celebration for its 25th year anniversary. The public and employees are welcome to attend. There will be inspiration, music, food, and the celebration of graduates, current participants, service providers, and community partners. Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the King County Courthouse, Room E-942, 516 Third Ave Seattle, WA 98104. For more information contact Mary Taylor at Mary.Taylor@kingcounty.gov.
As we approach winter, this is a great time to ensure you are well-prepared for an emergency or inclement weather at home or work. There are many online resources that you can use to make sure you and your family have what you need to Make it Through an emergency – from an extended power outage to a more severe event. We strongly encourage you to take personal preparedness seriously. As a county government, we are also reviewing our internal emergency preparedness procedures and Continuity of Operations Plans. In case of a significant… Read More
Employees and their spouse or significant other are invited to learn more about saving for retirement with the King County Deferred Compensation Plan. Upcoming in-person sessions on Oct. 29, 30, and 31 will include: Social Security Simplified, Retirement Savings Options, Savings Strategies, and Achieving Financial Goals. See details and registration here. Other sessions are offered throughout the year. For more information about Deferred Compensation Plan education — including webinars — visit the Deferred Compensation webpage. For questions please contact KC Deferred Comp.
The King County Department of Community and Human Services is now accepting applications for a facilitator for the recently awarded Countywide Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Collaborative. The facilitator will support the four awarded agencies in building a shared mission and vision and to develop a service model and work plan to steward the goals identified by the Collaborative. Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 by 5 p.m. There is up to $65,000 in VSHSL Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB) funds available. The investment period is Dec. 2019 – Dec. 31, 2020, subject… Read More
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program started Monday, Oct. 7, and almost 1,200 nonprofits are taking part this year. Throughout this year’s drive, we’ll be featuring four nonprofits in different categories. This week, we’re highlighting four nonprofits that support and offer animal adoptions, rehabilitation for senior animals, and training services. Greyhound Pets, Inc. (9935) PO Box 891, Woodinville. WA 98072 – This foundation places retired Greyhounds in loving and secure homes and educate the public on the benefits of Greyhounds as family companions. They have multiple locations across the Puget Sound area, as… Read More
Advancing our “We are responsible stewards” value The Recicla más, or Recycle more program, provides information about recycling in Spanish to communities throughout King County. Started in 2011, Recicla más has relied on developing a partnership with facilitadores, or community educators, in the Latinx community to help improve and increase recycling. The Solid Waste Division (SWD), in the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, is further expanding this work with several multicultural/multilingual communities in King County to educate residents and businesses about recycling , composting, and waste prevention best practices. These partnerships ensure that the program… Read More
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
By Leslie Brown, Department of Public Defense As a young woman just out of college and well aware of institutionalized racism and its generational impact on black and brown people in America, La Rond Baker decided to use her degree to teach GED and Adult Basic Education classes at the King County Correctional Facility. Even so, she was struck by what she saw in the jail – by the stark racial disparities between the jail population and the general population of Seattle. Two years later, La Rond went to work for Powerful Voices, a Seattle-based nonprofit focused… Read More
Why did you start in your role with King County? I started at King County 15 years ago as an intern in the Service Development. I joined Metro because I was passionate about making a positive impact on the environment. And, I was immediately drawn to public transportation as a way to reduce carbon emissions by getting people out of their cars. But what keeps me here is the people – the employees that are committed to providing the best public transportation and the customers. For me, the ability to connect customers… Read More
On Oct. 16, 2019, the Metropolitan King County Council proclaimed October as Disability Awareness Month in King County, celebrating the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community and workforce. The proclamation is a reminder of our continued efforts to break down barriers so that people of all abilities can share their unique abilities, perspectives and talents. Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in… Read More
Dear Fellow King County Employee and Giving Partner, We want to share something amazing about our Employee Giving Program – thanks to the generosity of the people who work here, we celebrate having raised more than $32 million since our program began in 1988. What does that mean for our community? It means numerous children have learned to read. It means countless seniors at risk for hunger have eaten hot, nourishing meals. It means increasing numbers of animals have gone to live in their forever homes. And it means researchers have achieved… Read More