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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
Pet of the Week: Duck
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC We have a Duck for Pet of the Week – but he’s really a cool cat! Duck is a two-year-old brown tabby. This handsome boy is very sweet and gentle, but likes to take things a bit slow. He likes getting attention on his own terms and can get overstimulated if there’s lots of movement and activity around him. Just move carefully and keep an eye out for signs he may need a break. Due to his shy nature, Duck would do best in a calm and quiet… Read More
Washington State’s new immunization law: How does it affect you?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Your back to school routine may look a little different this year. That’s because Washington State recently passed a law removing personal/philosophical exemptions for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The law also requires employees and volunteers at licensed childcare centers to provide immunization records indicating they’ve received the MMR vaccine or have proof of immunity. Read more from Public Health Insider
Walkpools: Safety in numbers
Have you heard of walkpooling? Walkpooling is a buddy-up initiative that helps employees travel safely. Some of you have said you’d feel more comfortable walking to and from work with a buddy, and walkpools are a great option; whether you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations. Our top three reasons why walkpools are great: safety in numbers, health benefits, and mutual interdependencies that can lead to friendships. Check out our video, or visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information.
Fluid Life Events: Changing your benefits after birth or adoption
Last week, the Business Resource Center (BRC) launched a new PeopleSoft feature, Fluid Life Events, that allows you to make benefit changes online from any mobile device or computer. You can make changes to your medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D coverage if you experience one of the following life events: marriage, divorce, birth, or adoption. You can still submit paper Qualifying Life Event forms and documentation to the Benefits office if you prefer; these forms can also be used for life events not yet available in PeopleSoft. Birth and Adoption The addition of a new… Read More
‘BUPE Pathways’ Program reduces illicit opioid use and improves quality of life
Crossposted from Public Health Insider In downtown Seattle, a program to treat opioid use disorder that is co-located with needle exchange services is showing promise for reaching people experiencing homelessness. The program is based on a public health model that provides immediate, client-centered care and access to buprenorphine. Initial findings from two different sources of data shows that the innovative Buprenorphine Pathways (Bupe Pathways) program may reduce opioid use and improve the health and well-being of some of our most vulnerable community members. A recent article in the journal Substance Abuse found that Bupe Pathways was successful at retaining people… Read More
Franco honored with Veteran of the Year Award
Crossposted from DES Express The Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), has honored Business Resource Center team member Chris Franco with its prestigious Veteran of the Year Award. This award celebrates Franco and how he exemplifies courage, honor, and is a beacon for other Latinos to follow. ALPFA also recognized Chris for embodying selfless service, integrity, honor, and respect, and his role in the community as a leader of character. “It means a lot to me personally. My family is a family of immigrants and veterans,” Franco said. “I’ll be working very… Read More
Empowering employees to prioritize Equity and Social Justice
The Solid Waste Division is helping build a more equitable and just King County by empowering its employees with new equity and social justice awareness and skills through a series of interactive training sessions. The Solid Waste Division (SWD) of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks engaged employees in 12 open discussion sessions where they went through the fundamentals of equity and social justice (ESJ) and what it means to establish a pro-equity environment where every person can thrive – internally and in the community. “I saw this awareness throughout the… Read More
Stay safe in the heat
Forecasts call for “unseasonable heat” today and tomorrow. Here are some tips to help you manage the heat: For everyone Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors. If you’re outdoors, take breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned buildings. Avoid direct contact with the sun. Avoid exercising or strenuous activity in the afternoon, when the heat is most intense. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. NEVER leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open! It… Read More
Employee Discounts to 2019 Washington State Fair and University of Washington football
Washington State Fair: Employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Aug. 30 – Sept. 22. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you are logged into the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code. University of Washington football: UW vs. Eastern Washington University, Saturday Aug. 31, and UW vs. USC, Saturday, Sept. 28. To access the discount, visit this link here. Questions? Contact Justin Rothbaum at 206-685-8429 or jrothbaum@pac-12sales.com. See all available employee discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
How can Metro meet the needs of our growing county and help solve the climate crisis? We need to hear from you!
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County is growing quickly. Our economy is doing well, but unfortunately, rising housing prices mean that many people must live farther from work and drive long distances. That’s not good for quality of life, and it’s not good for the environment – transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in King County. At the same time, innovations in mobility services mean there are many more ways to get around than ever before, but many of these services can be expensive and lead to more cars on… Read More
Fluid Life Events: Changing your benefits after marriage or divorce
Certain life events may impact your benefits and allow you to make changes mid-year. This week, the Business Resource Center and the Benefits office launched a new PeopleSoft feature, Fluid Life Events, that allows you to make benefit changes online from any mobile device or computer. You can make changes online to your medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D coverage if you experience one of the following life events: marriage, divorce, birth, or adoption. You can still submit paper Qualifying Life Event forms and documentation to the Benefits office if you prefer; these forms can… Read More
Green infrastructure, aiming for LEED Gold Certification
The recent installation of the rain garden and green roof are the latest milestones at the Children and Family Justice Center. The eco-friendly design and landscaping support the County’s climate change priorities. In addition to being beautiful, the rain garden is one of many sustainable features that will retain run-off stormwater. The garden’s landscape showcases Princeton Sentry trees, Barrenwort plants, and Mexican beach cobble stones around the perimeter of the garden. A unique characteristic to the garden are rain chains, a functional and modern alternative to traditional gutter downspouts. Visitors and staff… Read More
DPD interns: A summer of epic victories, hard-fought losses and many hours in the courtroom
Crossposted from For the Defense The Department of Public Defense is saying goodbye this week and next to its 20 interns, thoughtful and dedicated law students who experienced both epic trial victories and hard-fought losses during their 10 weeks at DPD. They worked in nearly every case area DPD handles; put forward excellent release arguments, writs, and motions; researched complex legal issues, and wrote thoughtful legal memos. They spent time together at trainings, shared lunches where they heard from others in the field of public defense, and were mentored by several excellent attorneys. … Read More
Employees connect with community at Cine en el Parque
King County employees were on hand to connect with residents about programs and services at the August 10 Cine en el Parque event. Community outreach teams from several departments did a great job of providing information at interactive booths with bilingual staff at the screening of Spider-Man: Un Nuevo Universo. “Cine en el Parque” is a free outdoor movie at Dick Thurnau Park in White Center, where movies are projected onto a 40-foot-tall inflatable movie screen (bigger than most indoor theatres) that turns the Park into a spectacular outdoor cinema under the stars. It was a great opportunity to… Read More
Pet of the Week: Ginger
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Look at that sweet smile – it’s Ginger, our Pet of the Week! This senior Labrador/Shepherd mix is looking for her forever home. Her personality color is “Easy Going Green,” meaning she is an adaptable dog who loves to go with the flow! Ginger is a sweet girl, very affectionate, and would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. She loves going on walks and hanging out with her favorite people. Ginger came into the shelter with another dog, but she may be selective about… Read More
Executive Constantine announces John Diaz appointed Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention
Dear fellow King County employee, I am pleased to announce the appointment of John Diaz to serve as the new director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, effective Wednesday, August 21. His appointment is subject to Council confirmation. John has served as Interim DAJD Director since April of this year, and during that time I have been impressed by his leadership, strategic thinking, and genuine interest in the work of DAJD employees, and the stability he has brought to the department. Prior to joining King County, John was the Seattle… Read More
Using People Roundings to build a better workplace
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer Two years ago, Executive Constantine launched our Investing in YOU strategy to build a supportive and respectful workplace culture at King County where every employee can be at their best and do their best work for our community. One way that I track our progress on this strategy is through a process called People Roundings. Rounding is what doctors and nurses have traditionally done to check on patients in hospitals. We use People Roundings to check in with leaders and staff in departments on our People Measures, the key metrics we… Read More
City Hall Park lunch options
Check out the food trucks at City Hall Park on the south side of the King County Courthouse this week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Today and Thursday it’s Plaza Garcia Express Mexican cuisine, and on Friday it’s World’s Best BBQ. Click here for a complete schedule and menus of food trucks at City Hall Park. For more information visit www.seattlefoodtruck.com.
Featured Job: Business and Finance Officer IV – Budget (Internal Only)
Salary: $94,937.02 – $120,338.60 Annually Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DLS – Local Services Job Number: 2019RH10423 Closing: 8/21/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Are you an experienced public sector budget analyst seeking your next challenge? Come join the Roads Services Division of King County’s Department of Local Services as a Business and Finance Officer IV! Successful candidates will have the skills needed to develop and monitor the Road Division’s biennial capital and operating budgets, as well as the Capital Improvement Program’s Six Year Plan and demonstrated ability… Read More
Training Spotlight: Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience
Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience, Oct. 17: Emotional Resilience refers to a person’s capacity for meeting difficult emotional situations with greater equanimity and a person’s capacity for returning to a state of emotional balance more quickly. This 4-hour workshop introduces techniques specifically designed to enhance participants’ ability to be aware of and respond to difficult emotional situations with both mindfulness and compassion, a combination which cultivates emotional resilience. This course is sponsored by Balanced You. Register and learn more. View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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