Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
New funding opportunity from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy
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
2019 Annual Giving Drive: Spotlight on nonprofits supporting animal welfare
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
Recycling program builds relationships between King County and Spanish-speaking communities
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
Meaningful program creates workplace efficiencies and opportunities for employees
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
DPD’s new special counsel has long worked at the forefront of social change
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
Five questions with Chris O’Claire, Division Director for Mobility, King County Metro
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
King County Council recognizes 2019 Disability Awareness Month
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
Please join us in the Annual Giving Drive
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
Training Spotlight: Basic First Aid/CPR/AED, renewal
Basic First Aid/CPR/AED, renewal, multiple dates: The “Medic First Aid” program provides basic first aid, CPR, and AED (automated external defibrillator) training. The renewal option is for those who hold a current First Aid/CPR/AED card. It consists of a brief review of primary topics, followed by performance of each skill. This certification is valid for 2 years. Learn more and register here. View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Third payday of the month, Oct. 31
Almost all King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month, but Oct. 31 will be your third payday of the month. The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks. For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
Discount available for employees at HomeStreet Bank and Disney on Ice
King County partners with HomeStreet Bank to offer employees the Hometown Home Loan Program. This employer-assisted housing program offers a wide selection of home loan options, whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, or remodeling. Visit the website for more information. Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, WA, Oct. 30-Nov. 4, 2019. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-248-8740, option 1. For questions call the number or email FeldDirectGroups@feldinc.com. Savings will be applied at time of purchase. Order tickets before the deadline on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 11 a.m. View all available discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
Getting to know Mohamed Nimeri
Crossposted from DES Express Mohamed Nimeri grew up loving airports. The family moved a lot for his father’s work as Sudan’s ambassador to several countries, so he had quite a bit of experience flying. Although he is from Sudan, he grew up in “a lot of countries,” including the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. King County International Airport recently hired Nimeri as its pavement engineer. He is advancing the state of the industry in pavements, and is one of King County’s most highly trained pavement experts. Nimeri recently completed graduate school, earning master’s and doctoral… Read More
Research results show students across U.S. put high value on FLASH curriculum
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Students in different parts of the country overwhelmingly find the FLASH sexual health curriculum, produced by the Family Planning program at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), valuable and worth recommending to their peers. As part of a multi-year study being conducted in the South and Midwest, more than 90 percent of students surveyed say they will use the skills they learned in class in their real lives, and more than 90 percent would recommend FLASH to a friend. Read more from Public Health Insider
ESJ Opportunity Fund now accepting applications, deadline Nov. 22
The Office of Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) is now accepting applications for the Equity and Social Justice Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund is a competitive process that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity, social justice and King County’s mission to lead with racial justice in support of the ESJ Strategic Plan. Read more in the overview here and download the application here. Applications are due by or before November 22, 2019. For questions contact Tynishia Walker at TWalker@kingcounty.gov or at 206-263-0534.
PeopleSoft team receives innovator award
Crossposted from DES Express Thumbs up to the PeopleSoft team for recognition as an innovator at the recent Oracle OpenWorld conference. They created a disaster recovery option on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, selective adoption (PUM) and improved the user experience with fluid pages. The team now has a world-wide presence on the PeopleSoft web site. Mike Betschart also made his first official YouTube appearance. The PeopleSoft team Mike Betschart, the PeopleSoft Manager plus his leadership team: Tracey Dang Hannah Gacey Joe Isaacks Rey Rodriguez Technical Team Curtis Hanson Jay Hsiao Ken Kaspersen Prasanth Kondugari Ampalavanar Mohanakumar Analyst Team… Read More
Focus on values: We are responsible stewards
Dear employee, Last month, we launched a monthly focus on our values to help us gain a deeper understanding of King County’s values and how we apply them to our work. This month, we are focusing on the value “We are responsible stewards.” Being a responsible steward is a value I take very seriously. For me, stewardship is taking care of the resources entrusted to our care. As Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, my primary focus is making sure we are strong financial stewards, so people know their… Read More
Pet of the Week: Leo
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Looking for a spunky, spirited boy? Look no further than Leo, our Pet of the Week! This border collie/Boston terrier mix is waiting for his forever home. He was brought in by his previous family because he had a tendency to run off property. (A well-fenced yard at his new home would be good.) Read more from Tails from RASKC
Featured Job: Administrative Specialist II
Salary: $21.91 – $28.75 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DNRP – Natural Resources & Parks Job Number: 2019SN10707 Closing: 10/20/2019 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
It’s in the mail: Look for Open Enrollment information
Check your home mailbox for important benefits and Open Enrollment information mailed recently to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. Open Enrollment takes place Nov. 1 – 15 and is your opportunity to: Enroll in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income—saving you money. You must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment. The Health Care FSA maximum contribution for 2020 is $2,700. Select the appropriate Benefit Access Fee—or exemption. If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your medical plan, a Benefit Access… Read More
2019 Annual Giving Drive: Spotlight on nonprofits supporting the Latinx community
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program started October 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. To honor Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at King County, we’ve highlighted four nonprofits that support and advance the rights of our Latinx and Hispanic Community. Casa Latina (9307) 317 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144 – Empowers Latinx/Hispanic immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing – toward full participation of the Latinx/Hispanic community in the economy and democracy of the U.S. Soccer Without Borders Seattle (9968) 600… Read More
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