Featured Coronavirus Information
Updated guidance for mandatory telecommuting (updated Oct. 29, 2020)
Emergency childcare for first responders & essential workers
Help needed to support COVID-19 efforts
Cleaning and disinfecting facilities during COVID-19
News
Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations joins Department of Human Resources
The Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section (BPROS) of the Department of Executive Services officially joined the Department of Human Resources (DHR) on Jan. 1, 2021, part of Executive Constantine’s efforts to better serve King County employees from one centralized department. This transition brings multiple benefits by centralizing the entire hire-to-retire value stream under one single department, avoiding any confusion that multiple business owners can cause. It will also deliver greater synergies by closely aligning BPROS’ work with DHR’s Employee Health and Well-Being team. “With BPROS joining DHR, we can now offer… Read More
Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques, January 26
This two-hour virtual workshop will provide you with strategies and tips to help you to do your best during the interview. Learning objectives include: How to prepare for a virtual job interview The interview structure and types of questions you will be asked The STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses General tips and strategies This workshop will take place Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here. For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links… Read More
Training Spotlight: Easy Steps to Great Grammar – Online
Confused about grammar and punctuation? This fun, three-session class will help you master the latest rules, avoid common errors, and write with confidence. You’ll cover apostrophes, verb tense, word usage, subject/verb agreement, commas vs. semicolons, style guides, how to avoid the 10 most common grammar and punctuation mistakes, and more. Class sessions include plenty of examples and exercises to help you practice your new skills. This three-part series starts January 6 and finishes January 20; classes are held each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register Here Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the… Read More
Metro Deputy General Manager Michelle Allison
Crossposted from Metro Matters Michelle Allison, who has helped shape King County Metro into the regional mobility leader it is today, was named Metro’s Deputy General Manager. Allison served as Interim Deputy General Manager since August and was previously Metro’s Chief of Staff. Terry White, recently confirmed as Metro’s new General Manager, announced the appointment this week. “I would not have accepted my new position without knowing that Michelle would fill this important role,” said White. “She is a trusted colleague and friend, and I am confident she is the right person to… Read More
Training Spotlight: Leadership and Management Series – Online
Develop your coaching, problem solving, strategic planning, and time management skills with this workshop based series. Take all four classes in the series to enhance your professional toolbox with skills to be used in a variety of workplace situations. Offered through N Seattle College, this course will run 1 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays from January 13, 2021, through February 3, 2021 and is $275.00 for all four classes. Register Here Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and… Read More
STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback, January 12 and January 20
This 60-minute, virtual, small group workshop is designed to provide mock interview practice and feedback using the STAR-LA method as taught by King County Career Support Services. This workshop is ideal for participants who have attended the Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques workshop or have watched the 10 minute STAR-LA method video found on the Career Support Services website. This workshop will take place Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 10 – 11 a.m. Register here. For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career… Read More
Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions
As we move into 2021, you may find yourself thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. While health and well-being goals are helpful, some types of goals can leave us feeling guilty or insufficient if we don’t reach or sustain them. Balanced You supports employees’ well-being goals and encourages everyone to approach their 2021 resolutions with kindness and caring toward themselves as we continue to work through the pandemic together. Read this Balanced You blogpost for strategies to use and resources to support you in developing 2021 goals that uplift you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Creating Effective Application Materials online workshop, January 13
This one-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives include: Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments This workshop will take place Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. Register here. For additional online workshops offered… Read More
Happy New Year: Somewhere over the rainbow, where bluebirds fly
We acknowledge this year has been a challenging one, for so many of our employees and residents. Together we find strength and take comfort in knowing that as Israel Kamakawiwoʻole sings “Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly, and the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true.” The first step to a positive, and hopeful 20201, is to wish for and dream of this change. Through this we will be able to recognize our highs and lows, and work through them. It won’t be easy, but what worthwhile dream isn’t… Read More
Metro wins Performance Excellence Awards for equity and for sustainability
Crossposted from Metro Matters Metro was honored with two King County Performance Excellence Awards: the Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice and the Innovation Award for Sustainability. Given by King County Executive Dow Constantine, these annual honors are given to employees and teams at King County that demonstrate exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, service, and innovation. “These awards recognize people who are helping build a best-run government at King County,” said Constantine. Metro received the Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice for its work to design a Mobility Framework. Read more.
Airport outreach incorporates equity and social justice
Crossposted from DES Express The team at King County International Airport – Boeing Field (KCIA) have been updating its master plan, a comprehensive study required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that describes the airport’s short, medium, and long-term sustainable development goals, alternatives, and plans. “Because the airport is such a big aspect of the neighborhoods surrounding it, we knew we wanted to be good neighbors and do more than just a single open house for our outreach,” said Kevin Nuechterlein, Capital Projects Manager at KCIA. Diverse neighborhoods around the airport include Georgetown, South… Read More
Hope and Joy Campaign: January 6 Coffee Connection
As part of the Hope and Joy Campaign, the Balanced You team is hosting a series of virtual zoom sessions, called “Coffee Connections”, to provide spaces for employees to connect over fun topics and events. The next Coffee Connection’s theme is “New Year’s Resolutions.” Join us then to share your intentions or themes for 2021, or hear others’ plans to get inspired. It will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 10-10:30 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at this link, using passcode 618235. Check out other upcoming Coffee Connections on the Balanced You Blog here.
What we know (and a few things we don’t) about COVID-19 vaccines: a conversation with Dr. Jeff Duchin
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Two COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA and the first shipments have arrived in King County. In this interview, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Seattle & King County Public Health, answers common questions such as… Who is getting the first shots? How effective are the new vaccines? What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work? What kind of common side effects do the vaccines have? What about the severe allergic reactions that the news has reported in a handful of people? Read more.
Executive Constantine’s Top 20 Accomplishments in 2020
When we ended 2019, we had every reason to be optimistic, hopeful, and prepared for another year of growth in King County. But 2020 proved just how quickly things can change. It’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated our focus this year, as we led the response to the nation’s first outbreak of the disease. From setting up our medical command center even before the first confirmed case, to building isolation and quarantine recovery facilities, to distributing millions of masks to county residents, King County employees have been working to… Read More
Pet of the Week: Cairo
Hi, my name is Cairo! I’m a 7 year-old male domestic short hair. If you’re looking for a fancy and independent gentleman who also happens to be a great conversationalist, I might just be the cat for you! My caretakers feel I would do best as the only cat in my new home; however, I also lived with adult humans and large dogs, and I get along great with both! Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d… Read More
Call for applicants: Wastewater’s “Operator-in-Training” program offers paid jobs, no experience needed
Crossposted from WTD Clean Water Stories King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is looking for operators to monitor complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them. Operators check readings and take water samples to make sure things are running smoothly. Good operators are hard to find – and desperately needed. WTD needed a way to bring in talented, new people and help them get certified as quickly as possible, so they started an Operator-in-Training (OIT) program to find and train their own operators. “Part of our program is to show people enough about wastewater for… Read More
Training Spotlight for December 29
Easy Steps to Great Grammar – Online – Confused about grammar and punctuation? This fun, 3-Session class will help you master the latest rules, avoid common errors, and write with confidence. You’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. Class includes plenty of examples and exercises to help you practice your new skills. This course is coming up quick, starting on Jan. 6 and finishing on Jan. 20, and is held each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register here. Please… Read More
Featured Job: Administrative Manager/Clerk of the Board
Salary: $79,902 – $107,459 Location: Multiple locations in King County, WA Job Type: Appointed Department: KCC – King County Council Job Number: KCFD12172020TC Closing: 1/14/2021 11:59 PM Pacific Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Top 10 Balanced You blog posts of 2020
This year, the Balanced You blog became an even more important source of information for King County employees, with readership doubling from 12,000 visitors in 2019 to 24,000 visitors in 2020. Articles included COVID-19 supports, well-being tips, program information, and resources for allyship. To round out 2020, Balanced You is highlighting our top 10 most clicked articles below. If you haven’t had a chance to read these, we encourage you to check them out here!
Metro health ambassadors promote masks, community spirit
Some former Metro employees are helping people safely get where they are going in a different way. “I usually drive a Metro bus, but today I’m giving out masks to try and make sure everyone is masking up and being safe,” Jena, a Metro bus operator and Health Ambassador, said. After King County Metro Transit was forced to lay off some part-time employees due to COVID-19, the agency came up with an innovative solution: they allowed drivers facing layoff to opt into the Department of Community and Human Services’ (DCHS) Health Ambassadors… Read More
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