Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Dear employee, As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to spread to more countries, the likelihood that eventually there will be more cases in the United States increases. King County is getting prepared now in order to reduce the number of illnesses and negative effects that could occur in our community. Department leaders are working with the Executive’s Senior Leadership Team and the Office of Emergency Management now on response planning – short term and long term – in line with our Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP). Every one of us have… Read More
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC A hale and hearty hello to Hemlock, our Pet of the Week! This handsome boy was brought in by a good Samaritan in mid-December. Hemi, as he’s also known, is the sweetest old man you’ll ever meet. He is a huge cuddle bug who drools when he’s happy. Hemlock purrs almost on contact and will rub his face all over you. At 12 years young, Hemlock still loves to play, especially with teasers and chase toys! He is sweet and gentle, and non-reactive to other cats, but he… Read More
Salary: $77,840.67 – $98,667.50 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment Department: DNRP Job Number: 2020-11392 Division: Director’s Office Closing: 3/9/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Seattle Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 on Third Avenue near the King County Courthouse in which two people suffered non-life threatening injuries. The incident, which occurred after regular working hours, did not involve any King County employees. Our first priority is your safety and security at work. King County continues to work closely with other local jurisdictions, including the Seattle Police Department, to improve security in the downtown area around the King County Courthouse. Some recent steps: King County Security, King County… Read More
We are all responsible for the security of our workspaces, so please be aware of others when you are using your King County ID card to access County buildings or closed office spaces. Key card access is designed to allow access only to individuals who have been assigned to a designated space. A recent theft of a bicycle from a secured area in the Chinook building highlights this issue. Do not prop open secure doors, or allow unknown persons to “tailgate” behind you through a secure door. Tailgating is when an… 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 post, an update on the current risk in King County, travel recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and an anti-stigma social media tool kit recently developed by Public Health. What happens if coronavirus spreads here? With continuing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to more countries, it is increasingly likely that we will see a worldwide spread… Read More
Why did you start in your role with King County? I was elected as a Judge in 2004. I ran because I was interested in the job through my prior work as a law clerk. I had tried many cases in civil and criminal arenas and I wanted to stay in the courtroom. What do you do in your role? My current role is as Presiding Judge, which means I work on the case flow (distribution) of the work of the Court, setting policies and overseeing the budget process. As a trial… Read More
In July 2019, King County’s Executive Branch adopted a policy for employees to participate in Employee Resource Groups during their work time. These Employee Resource Groups, also called Affinity Groups, are led by employee volunteers, and are formed around protected categories set by local and federal anti-discrimination law. Some of the categories included are race, gender, and sexual orientation, among others. “The groups promote equity and social justice, foster employee engagement, strengthen workplace effectiveness, improve leadership abilities, and enhance personal and professional growth within King County,” said Janine Anzalota, Equity and Civil Rights… Read More
How do YOU want to be healthy and well at work? Today, we are excited to announce the launch of the 2020 Balanced You Worksite Fund to help you and your co-workers bring your own creative ideas and solutions to to creating a work-place that feels healthy and supportive . During 2019, the Worksite Fund supported 43 projects designed by and for employees across King County. Projects included a certified therapy dog to help employees reduce stress, self-defense classes to help employees feel safer, physical activity equipment and yoga classes to help… Read More
Salary: $116,486.45 – $140,823.49 Annually Location: Multiple locations in King County, WA Job Type: Multiple job types-career service and/or temp Department: MTD – Metro Transit Job Number: 2020TB11350 Division: Vehicle Maintenance Closing: 2/27/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Who is this handsome gentleman? Why it’s Dapper, our Pet of the Week! This affectionate lovebug would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. Dapper is a young pittie mix who is full of energy and loves to play. He tends to calm down more when the people around him are calm. Because he has lots of energy, Dapper does best when he gets lots of exercise and something to keep his mind busy. Read more. View all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
This month during Black History Month, we are reflecting on why King County adopted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. logo, and what it means to be the only county in the United States named after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King County changed its logo in 2007 from a gold crown to an original graphic image of civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King is an international icon for justice, equality, and peace, and the logo is symbolic of those same… Read More
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