Featured Headlines
VIDEO: Interim DNRP Director Mo McBroom shares her path to public service
KCSO in the spotlight: Air support
Welcoming new neighbors: King County invests in vital support for immigrant and refugee communities
King County, Plymouth Housing, and City of Kirkland celebrate opening of new permanent supportive housing community, Sheila Stanton Place
News
Resilience and strength in the face of violence
Dear fellow King County employee, A shooting occurred during yesterday’s evening commute in downtown Seattle, leaving one person dead and multiple people with injuries. It was the third shooting in two days within a several-block radius of downtown. These events strike us all deeply – as residents, commuters, and public servants. Everyone deserves to feel safe. As we process this string of violent incidents, we must support each other, and appreciate the collective trauma that gun violence inflicts upon the entire community. As always, King County employees displayed laudable courage and exemplary… Read More
Customer Care Team poised to improve customer service
Crossposted from DES Express Walt Lowry was hired last fall to lead the Facilities Management Division’s Customer Care Team and improve its processes. Now fully staffed, the team juggles dozens of work orders daily, while developing process improvement strategies. “There’s never a dull moment in Facilities,” Lowry cracks. “All of our buildings are old. They’re handing out work orders like they’re playing cards. We deal with moves, clogged toilets, dead batteries, flags, leaks, broken windows, elevator issues and inspections, and anything else staff can think about for building needs. Read more from DES… Read More
Everyday customer service makes a difference
Crossposted from DES Express Within just minutes at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, Security Officer Kim Brown helped a handful of customers. He escorted a woman and her young child from outside a closed courtroom to the proper room for their appointment. While giving a tour, he overheard a couple who sounded lost and offered his services. He quickly answered another question from someone who stopped at the Information Desk. He gives cookies to crying kids and helps start employees’ dead car batteries. It’s all in a day’s work for Brown, who… Read More
MLK Jr.: ‘The time is always ripe to do right’
Crossposted from Metro Matters Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Seattle once, from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, 1961. King was 32 at the time and had yet to deliver his iconic address during the March on Washington or write his powerful Letter from Birmingham Jail. Accounts from his time in King County, King’s “The American Dream” speech at Garfield High School includes lines that he would use two years later in his “I Have a Dream” speech. King also delivered some of his most powerful calls to action to Seattle audiences. The Seattle Times reported… Read More
Watch the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
King County employees turned out in force to honor our nation’s foremost human rights leader and our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The event was held Thursday, Jan. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. at Town Hall Seattle. The keynote speaker was john a. powell, Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California at Berkeley. Former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. You can watch a video of the entire celebration by… Read More
Featured Job: Engineer II (Capital Strike Team)
Salary: $37.75 – $47.86 Hourly Location: Seattle, WA Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week Department: DNRP – Natural Resources & Parks Job Number: 2019MK11102 Division: WLRD -Water & Land Resources Closing: 1/23/2020 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
2020 Mindfulness classes open for registration
Would you like to stress less this year? Give Balanced You’s popular mindfulness classes a try! Balanced You has partnered with Mindfulness Northwest to offer classes at county worksites, online, or in the community. Classes are available to King County employees free-of-charge, subject to availability. The next available class, “Introduction to Mindfulness” will be Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the King County Airport. Registration closes January 15th. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
Pet of the Week: Rudolph
Hi! My name is Rudolph and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by a good Samaritan on Dec. 2, 2019. I am a sweet cat who may need extra time and attention to warm up to new situations and new people. When I was a wee little one, I was not taught how nice and friendly people can be, but I am learning quickly! Though I may be timid at first, once you take the time to show me I can trust you I will show you just how wonderful I… Read More
Celebration follow-up, Jan. 21
As we will spark reflection and ideas at the MLK Celebration, employees are encouraged to continue the dialogue to deepen our equity, inclusion and belonging discussions and actions in work teams, departments, and communities. One opportunity to participate in facilitated follow-up conversations will be held at the King Street Center 8th floor conference center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.. All King County employees are welcome. For more information, contact KKibet@kingcounty.gov.
Free Financial Check-Up Webinar for employees
Making Life Easier offers webinars throughout the year, free-of-charge, to King County employees. Topics include mental health, financial savings, healthy communication, and more. Employees interested in developing healthier finances can tune into Making Life Easier’s next webinar, “Your Financial Check-up,” which will be released Jan. 21. Webinars are available on-demand. Employees can access webinars via the Making Life Easier portal, username: King County. Contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov for more information.
KCInform alert system reaches employees in emergencies
This week’s snowy weather is a perfect reminder for employees to sign up for KCInform, the King County employee emergency alert system. KCinform, powered by CodeRED, allows us to reach you by phone, text, and email with timely information in an emergency or natural disaster. If you have not registered your personal phone, personal email, or work cell information yet, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-3830 (between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday) to request your unique registration link. Watch this short video to learn more or visit the KCInform website.
Employees come together to raise Seahawks flag
Several employees joined Councilmember Joe McDermott to show their support for the Seattle Seahawks by coming together to raise the 12th Man Flag at the Administration Building plaza last Thursday, Jan. 9 The wintry weather couldn’t stop King County employees from raising the Seattle Seahawks flag at 12:12 p.m. on a cold, rainy Blue Friday. Unfortunately the Hawks’ Super Bowl run came to an end on Sunday in Green Bay, but like the 12s, they’ll be back next season. Go, Hawks!
Normal business operations today
King County operations will open as scheduled today, Wednesday, Jan. 15. If you are scheduled to work today, please plan to report to work at your normal start time or discuss any changes beforehand with your supervisor. Please note that some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff. Be prepared for cold weather, high winds, and possible delays on your commute. As always, have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making travel decisions. Metro Transit routes: Metro Transit service is operating on normal routes… Read More
See something, say something
Our first priority is your safety and security at work. You can take an active role in your safety. The county has produced a variety of communications to help inform employees about safety tips and related updates: Check out a new short video, below, on how to report emergencies and non-urgent security concerns. Watch for additional videos with safety tips throughout the year. Look for posters in English and Spanish at major worksites, especially those downtown, with information about how to report emergencies and security concerns. New employees will receive a wallet… Read More
Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program now providing benefits
On Jan. 1, 2020, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program began providing workers with paid time off to welcome a new child to their family, care for a sick loved one, or recover from their own serious medical condition. Who qualifies? To be eligible, you must have worked at least 820 hours for a Washington employer during the qualifying period, which generally speaking is the last year. Most King County bargaining units and all non-represented employees are eligible (list of participating unions) if they meet the qualifying conditions. What can… Read More
Be prepared for snow and ice tonight and tomorrow
More snow is forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning with continued icy road conditions, so please be prepared for possible commute delays and impacts to business operations. A heavy band of snow is expected to begin this evening in the northern half of the City of Seattle northward, and other areas could see accumulations. As always, have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making travel decisions. Metro Transit routes: Metro Transit service is operating on snow routes for areas of NE King County. Additional routes may… Read More
Normal business operations today, Jan. 13
King County operations will open as scheduled today, Monday, Jan. 13. If you are scheduled to work today, please plan to report to work at your normal start time or discuss any changes beforehand with your supervisor. Some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff. Be prepared for cold weather on your commute. As always, have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work on time,… Read More
WaterWorks grants funding 69 community projects in 2020
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories King County’s WaterWorks Grant Program is fulfilling its mission to invest in clean water and community partnerships. The King County Council recently passed an ordinance to approve the funding, moving work forward on projects around the region that will include restoring damaged habitat, building green infrastructure and providing youth education and internship opportunities. Sixty nine local environmental projects that protect water quality, control pollution and build healthy communities will receive funding through King County’s WaterWorks Grant Program. Read more from Clean Water Stories
Resolved to stress less in 2020? Check out a mindfulness class!
Crossposted from Balanced You Would you like to stress less this year? Give one of our popular mindfulness classes a try! Balanced You has partnered with Mindfulness Northwest to offer classes at county worksites, online, and in the community. Classes are available to King County employees free-of-charge, subject to availability. See the January to March 2020 calendar at the link below. Mindfulness classes are one more way King County is Investing in YOU. Contact Balanced You with questions at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9626. Read more from Balanced You
Increase your financial wellness with My Secure Advantage. Sign up before Feb. 14, 2020 to be entered into a raffle!
Balanced You knows that financial wellness is important to you and your well-being. As such, King County employees are eligible for 90 days of confidential, unbiased money coaching through My Secure Advantage (MSA) every year. You can take the first step with MSA by opening an account and taking the online financial assessment. If you take the assessment before February 14, 2020, MSA will enter you into a drawing to receive a $100 Amazon gift card! Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
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