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Clean energy projects bring $5.2 million in savings for WTD
Balanced You attends the Healthy Worksite Summit
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Meet the SCOPE Team, connecting services directly to your community
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Complete Open Enrollment by Nov. 15
Don’t miss your opportunity to evaluate your benefit choices and make changes. If you haven’t already done so, make sure the right benefit options are in place for you and your family next year. If you don’t participate in Open Enrollment, your current elections automatically continue for next year—except your Flexible Spending Accounts and your Benefit Access Fee exemption, which must be selected each year. Learn: Review the information on the Open Enrollment web pages, including 2019 Key Benefit Changes. If you’re in the Regular employee benefit group, check out the new Short-term Disability Plan. Choose: Consider changing medical plans. If you cover a spouse or… Read More
U.S. Department of Defense presents awards to King County and DAJD
The Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented King County, the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), and several County managers with awards, Nov. 8, in recognition of their support of County employees who currently serve in the Reserve and National Guard. King County was nominated for the “Freedom” Award by Senior Master Sergeant Michelle Helpenstell, a corrections officer with DAJD, who also serves in the Air Force Reserve. The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by King County’s Adult and Juvenile Detention Honor Guard followed by remarks by U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erik Campbell with… Read More
Program offers diverse community opportunities in trades and apprenticeships
The King County Priority Hire Program is helping people in economically distressed communities across King County receive the training and skills they need to access rewarding employment and training opportunities in the construction industry. This work is building opportunities and creating a more diverse and trained workforce that will help this region prosper and grow. “There are opportunities for people in the trades and this program is a great strategy to implement that will help diversify the workforce,” said Samantha Kealoha, Labor Equity Program Manager. “It’s important to help people get into this industry… Read More
Training Spotlight: Report Writing and Document Design and Lominger Competency and Skill Assessment
Report Writing and Document Design, Nov. 14: Want to see immediate improvement in your report writing projects? Learn to write for specific audiences, design documents for readability and clarity, and write concisely using plain English guidelines. Discuss and share ideas in this interactive workshop and learn to produce reports, simple or complex, that grab attention and get results. Register and learn more. Register and learn more. Lominger Competency and Skill Assessment, Dec. 12: During this class, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your professional skills and generate a list of self-identified competencies that reflect your… Read More
Superior Court behind the scenes: The Jury Room
Crossposted from King County Superior Court blog This is the second in the Walk in the Shoes series with Chief Administrator, Paul Sherfey, Presiding Judge, Laura Inveen and Communications Manager, Jamie Holter. Judge Inveen, Paul Sherfey and I visited the Jury Room Monday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 a.m. as jurors started to trickle in. Over the next hour, Jury Room Court Operations members Daisy Rios and Santiago Villanueva will check in more than 200 people using a barcoded postcard which doubles as a juror badge. Read more at King County Superior Court blog
Anita Khandelwal confirmed as Director of Public Defense
The Metropolitan King County Council removed the interim title from Anita Khandelwal, giving its support to her appointment to a four-year term as the King County Public Defender and Director of the Department of Public Defense. Khandelwal will be the Department’s second director since voters approved the Charter amendment creating the position in 2013. Read more in the official press release.
Rev Up For Retirement seminar, Nov. 15
Are you too young to think about retirement? Think again! With increasing concern over the future of Social Security and the stability of retirement plans, it’s a good idea to stay informed and prepare in advance. Attendance is strictly voluntary but registration is required. Learn more and sign up here. Thursday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Eighth Floor Conference Center, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle
Pet of the Week: Gerti
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC We’d like to introduce you to Gerti, our Pet of the Week! This eight-year-old tortie is extremely affectionate and would love to curl right up in your lap. Her personality color is “Easy Going Green,” meaning she is a fun little lady who loves to go with the flow. Read more Tails from RASKC
Featured Job: Special Duty Equipment Operator
Salary: $29.60 – $35.99 Hourly Location: Renton, WA Job Type: Special Duty Assignment Department” Department of Transportation – Road Services Division Job Number: 2018MD08844 Closing: 11/12/2018 11:59 PM Pacific The Road Maintenance Section is responsible for providing road maintenance services to associated infrastructure within the unincorporated areas of King County and contract cities, in order to maintain and enhance the current condition of roadways and facilities in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner to protect the public’s investment and facilitate safe travel. The Equipment Operator position is skilled work, requiring the operation of… Read More
Meet our Elections translators: KC Jung, Korean
Crossposted from Election Connection We’re highlighting the great work our translators do helping to make our elections and services accessible to every member of the community. Here we sit down for a brief Q&A with KC Jung, our Korean language translator. What is your background and what brought you to working in local government at King County? I am originally from Seoul, South Korea. I first came to the U.S. to study English and decided to adopt this country as my new homeland because of the diverse background of people and places…. Read More
Employee discount: Pacific Northwest Ballet “The Nutcracker,” WildLights at the Zoo and Snoqualmie Summit
Employees can receive a 10% discount to the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performances of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” and discounted tickets to Woodland Park Zoo WildLights and the Summit at Snoqualmie. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Chief Technology Officer provides insight on cloud technologies
Recently, Aaron Barak, Chief Technology Officer for King County Information Technology shared his experience with cloud technologies through an editorial piece for CIO Review. The article mentioned how cloud technology can help employees shift from operations and maintenance tasks to more innovative activities that allow for increased value to line of business services. “Staff, previously anchored to legacy bespoke, on-premise solutions, can now, thanks to the ease and efficiency of cloud computing, spend their time developing emerging skill sets and innovative projects that benefit local government and residents,” he said. Read the full article… Read More
Employee discount to UW Local Government Appreciation basketball games, Jan. 5 and Feb. 2
King County employees are welcome to take advantage of discounted tickets to two UW Husky basketball games. These games are part of the UW Local Government Appreciation discount. Saturday, January 5 against Washington State University Saturday, February 2 against University of California Los Angeles To access the discount visit this link here. For more information contact JRothbaum@pac-12sales.com. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Join us Nov. 8 to honor employees who serve in Guard and Reserve
King County has approximately 90 employees who currently serve in the National Guard or Reserve. This event will recognize them for their service to our country and present them with a “challenge coin” in appreciation. Register and read more here. Thursday, November 8, from noon to 1 p.m., Chinook Building, 401 Fifth Ave., Room 121/123
Pet of the Week: Keyla
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC This happy girl is Keyla, our Pet of the Week! She’s an eight-year-old pittie who is very affectionate and would love to spend time cuddling with you! Despite her size, Keyla thinks of herself as a lapdog, and will gladly curl up in your lap for a nap. She’s an expert snuggler! Read more
Exec visits Elections employees on Election Day
King County Executive Dow Constantine visited King County Elections headquarters in Renton on Election Day as the staff counted ballots. This is the first General Election since he and Director Julie Wise made it possible for King County voters to return ballots without having to pay for postage.
King County Whistleblower Protection Code
King County encourages employees to report significant wrongdoing, called “improper governmental action,” so that problems can be identified and corrected. The Whistleblower Protection Code creates a reporting process for such improper governmental action (IGA), and aims to protect employees from retaliation for reporting or cooperating in an investigation of improper governmental action. Employees with concerns about improper governmental action, including violations of laws, dangers to the public health or safety, or gross mismanagement or waste, are encouraged to report these concerns to their department head or the King County Office of the Ombuds. Reports… Read More
King County Veterans Court celebrates Veterans Day and court graduates, Nov. 8
Regional Veterans Court will be holding a celebration of all veterans and a graduation for those successfully completing the court program on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the King County Courthouse (Courtroom E-326). Regional Veterans Court is a specialized track within King County District Court that connects veterans in the justice system to health and behavioral health treatment, housing and other services they may need to re-stabilize their lives. The Court helps veterans stay out of further involvement in the justice system, and reduces the use of jails and… Read More
King County Drug Court serves as international model
King County Superior Court’s Drug Court is an international model, and recently had two international visits to capture what Superior Court is doing right to help manage the opioid epidemic. On Monday, the U.S. State Department sponsored a high-level delegation from Haiti. Visitors spent several hours speaking with Drug Court Supervisor Mary Taylor and Judge Dean Lum about how it works and the success rate. On Tuesday, French journalist Romain Bolzinger from the French version of 60 Minutes captured how drug court impacts just one person as he followed a participant through the process. He… Read More
New department focused on helping employees succeed
A new standalone department focused on building a workplace culture where every employee has the tools, support, and opportunity to do their best work was created on October 3 when King County Executive Dow Constantine signed a Council-approved Ordinance to establish the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Executive Constantine proposed the new department in April to focus on serving, supporting and developing King County’s current and future employees so they can more effectively meet the changing needs of the people who live and work in King County. “As we embark on building this department… Read More
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