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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
Scenes from the late 1980s: Looking back at the construction of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel
Crossposted from Bytes and Boxes On March 23, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) converted to Link light rail trains only, and bus service was moved to surface streets. At the Archives, we’re reminiscing over these photographs of its construction, showing a glimpse of 1980s Seattle and the people who built the tunnel. The photos below come from Series 1844: Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel project files and Series 1147: Office of Information Resource Management Printing and Graphic Arts photographs. Ask an archivist if you have any questions about any of these photographs or the other transit-related records held… Read More
Executive Constantine discusses new labor agreement, importance of strong partnerships in article
King County Executive Dow Constantine signed a new two-year Total Compensation Agreement this week with leaders of the King County Coalition of Unions representing nearly half of the County’s 14,000 employees, and penned an op-ed article in the Washington State Labor Council’s TheStand.org publication about the agreement. In the article the Executive talks about significance of the agreement, its key elements, and the importance of King County’s strong relationship with labor. “I appreciate the value that unions bring to their members and to the broader community,” Executive Constantine wrote. “Our employees are the backbone… Read More
Employee Transportation Program makes it easy to get around
King County employees are saving time and money while reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions by making the most of their Employee Transportation Program benefits. In January 2019 alone, almost 7,300 employees used public transit at least once, saving money on gas, parking costs, and wear-and-tear on their personal vehicles. Last year King County employees took more than 2.2 million transit trips across 12 transit services, saving $3.5 million in fares. “Over time, the Employee Transportation Program has been adding more services so County employees have even more choices to commute to work,… Read More
Professional development program encourages employee success and workplace development
The Professional Development Scholarship Fund is a new opportunity for employees to learn new skills and further their careers. It comes as part of the Investing In YOU initiative, and in collaboration with the King County Coalition of Unions, sets aside available funds for employees who have applied to take training that occurs in 2019. A one-year pilot program, the scholarship fund comes as a direct result of the annual employee engagement survey. From the 2017 survey, it was noted that employees are passionate about their career growth, and actively seeking ways… Read More
Youth engagement program provides resources and voice to Latinx students
King County is committed to being a place where every person can succeed and fulfil their potential. It is important to further work being done that allows every community here to thrive and have the opportunities it deserves. A current program in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), through the Employment and Education Resources (EER) division, seeks to do this for underserved Latinx youth. The King County Reengagement System, working closely with the Road Map Project, coordinates with local partners to reduce education and employment disparities faced by youth and… Read More
County Council condemns intolerance, supports religious freedom
They are your co-workers, friends and neighbors. They serve in the military, are in law enforcement and work in King County government. They are Muslims, a faith with over 1-billion worshipers, and they are increasingly under attack. Responding to the growing acts of religious intolerance not only in King County, but around the world, the Metropolitan King County Council condemned acts of violence against those exercising their constitutionally protected right to worship. The proclamation recognizes the killing of 50 worshipers inside two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15 by a… Read More
Behind the Robe: Chief Criminal Judge Sean O’Donnell
Crossposted from Superior Court’s podcast series. Not only is he the tallest judge in Washington, he used to be a speech writer at Boeing. Now he presides over the busiest courtroom in Washington State. Every day, sometimes every five minutes, he makes custody and release decisions that impact defendants and our community. Judge Sean O’Donnell’s story.
Pet of the Week: Kona
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Kona is a 3 ½ year-old, female, black and white, domestic shorthair cat (A527477). Her personality color is RED, meaning she is fun-loving and very spirited! Kona’s previous family described her as adventurous and playful. She may need a little time to warm up to new people, but once she does she is a big sweetheart! Read more from Tails from RASKC
Training Spotlight: Grammar Refresh and Lominger Competency and Skill Assessment
Grammar Refresh, April 10: Confused about grammar and punctuation? This fun, hands-on class will help you master the latest rules, avoid common errors, and write with confidence. We’ll cover apostrophes, verb tense, word usage, subject/verb agreement, commas/semicolons, style guides, how to avoid the 10 most common grammar and punctuation mistakes, and more. Register and learn more. Lominger Competency and Skill Assessment, July 17: During this class, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your professional skills and generate a list of self-identified competencies that reflect your towering strengths and challenges. Next, based upon the next job… Read More
New King County enhanced shelter opens at West Wing
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the opening of a 40-bed men’s shelter in a former work-release space at the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. The facility renovation, which took place after King County held a series of focus groups with advocates and those who have experienced homelessness, cost $2 million. It included upgrades to facility internal systems, new sinks and other plumbing fixtures, new fiber optic cables, paint, laundry, and other improvements, including removing security signage and infrastructure. DESC will provide services, including behavioral health treatment, housing counseling and… Read More
Roads uses survey data to launch Roads Career Academy
King County uses its employee survey results to act on what employees have to say through a process called action planning. See how the Roads Services Division used its 2017 Employee Survey data to act on a theme that consistently came up among its employees: career development.
Thanks to you, Employee Survey hits new heights
King County hit its highest response rate ever in this 2019 employee engagement survey and is narrowing in on its goal of 70%. As of today, the countywide response rate is 69%, an increase of 2% over 2017 and an increase of 10% since the first annual survey in 2015. All of the paper surveys will be counted and final response rates will be available next week when contest winners will be announced. Survey reports will be available the week of May 13. King County Executive Dow Constantine will communicate countywide results… Read More
Local Services hires Service Partnerships manager
One thing that’s different about King County’s new Department of Local Services is the Service Partnership Agreements it’s making with other King County agencies. The agreements will allow Local Services to serve as a “one-stop shop,” helping residents and businesses in unincorporated areas connect with county services while also gathering information about those services. On March 25, Jesse Kent joined the department as its Service Partnership Agreement Manager. He’ll oversee this part of the new department’s approach, managing working relationships with other King County departments and looking at the data they collect… Read More
Executive Services uses All Hands to discuss values and priorities
Department of Executive Services (DES) employees got together last week to welcome new colleagues and learn more about King County’s priority initiatives at their sixth annual All-Hands Meetings. The All-Hands Meeting, held across a morning and afternoon session to facilitate as much participation as possible, was hosted at the Seattle Central Library’s auditorium in downtown Seattle. DES Director Caroline Whalen kicked off each session by welcoming members from the Fleet and Airport Divisions, who officially joined DES in January. Employees spent some time learning about some of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s… Read More
One man’s courage keeps passengers safe from harm
Dear fellow King County employee, Last week one of our own employees was injured in the line of duty, a victim of a senseless act of gun violence. Eric Stark, a seven-year Metro Transit employee and member of the Amalgamated Transit Union, demonstrated extraordinary heroism when, after having been shot, he steered his Metro coach and passengers away from the shooter to safety. His quick thinking prevented further injuries and likely saved lives. Eric’s courage and selfless commitment to his passengers is remarkable and inspiring, and I know you join me in… Read More
“What’s My Job?” Public Health project acts on survey results, allows leaders to shadow front-line employees
During 2017, employees from the Public Health – Seattle & King County Community Health Services Division (CHS) suggested their Leadership Team spend more time with CHS employees getting to know them and their work. After viewing the results from the annual employee engagement survey, this seemed like a great opportunity to help leadership learn about the work being done by front line employees and share more information about roles across the division. This project became known as “What’s My Job?” and included a member of the CHS Leadership Team spending up to… Read More
From the Hip: Patty Hayes, Director, Public Health – Seattle & King County
Becoming a trauma-informed organization Patty Hayes, RN, MN is director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. She is responsible for the operations of the 9th largest public health department in the U.S. (ranked by population served); a staff of nearly 1500; six divisions; and delivery of public health services to the more than 2 million people who live in and visit King County. Public Health touches King County communities in untold ways, including disease investigation and control, food safety through restaurant inspections, health and wellness services for low income moms,… Read More
Public Defense creates new post-conviction unit
Crossposted from For the Defense People with criminal convictions who are eligible to have those convictions vacated will get additional legal assistance to do so, thanks to a new post-conviction relief unit at the King County Department of Public Defense. The department started its new unit this month, a pilot project funded by King County’s recently passed 2019-2020 operating budget. One paralegal and the equivalent of one full-time attorney will provide the legal help eligible clients need to get convictions vacated. The pilot project also provides funding to the King County Prosecuting… Read More
Last days to have your say in Employee Survey
There is less than three days to join the more than 7,500 employees who have had their say in the 2019 Employee Engagement Survey and help make King County work better for you. We’re also approaching the finish line for this year’s Speak Up! participation contest. Here are the current leaders as of Wednesday, March 27: For this contest, all divisions are placed in contest classes with their peers by employee headcount; those with the highest participation or are the first in their bracket to achieve 100% will be awarded prizes. Click here for the breakdown… Read More
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