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King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
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News
New director is passionate about expanding voting turnout
Innovation is key to developing efficient business practices. Technology giants do it, retail business owners do it – everyone wants to take the next step to become better, stronger and have a deeper impact. Recently-elected Director of Elections Julie Wise looks forward to making this happen for the King County voting process. A south county local from Enumclaw, she has been with the Elections office for 15 years. First as a phone bank employee, she continued to get further involved after realizing she was a “geek” for the administrative elections process. A… Read More
Attorney gives new meaning to phrase “Grab life by the balls”
Deputy prosecuting attorney Nancy Balin is committed to ensuring justice for her community. Originally from Massachusetts and intent on pursuing her Master’s in Social Work, she instead focused on a law degree and never looked back. She’s been with King County since 1999 and admits that while it can be challenging work, she enjoys it. “There are always multiple things happening at once, it’s never boring here,” she said. “Aside from all our regular duties, we’ve also got to balance and prioritize what’s important. We’re conscious every day that we work for… Read More
Bringing women to the forefront in technology
This article is featured courtesy of Jamie Holter, Communications Manager, Department of Information Technology In honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), meet Diana Chism, King County IT for Production Operations. She’s been working in IT with the County for 26 years, yet still considers herself growing and learning. She has advice for women entering the tech world. Sit AT the table! “When you are invited to a meeting, have a seat at the table, literally! Women tend to sit along the outside and give men the seat closest to the center… Read More
Spanish language classes create opportunity for connection
When the phone rings and the woman on the other end asks her question in hesitant English mixed with Spanish, she finds herself surprised that the King County employee responds to her in Spanish and directs her to a translator who can better assist. Such smooth and welcoming customer experiences might be all thanks to King County’s Language in Motion program. King County has partnered with Seattle Colleges to offer Introductory Spanish business language classes. The classes are aimed at getting frontline employees in agencies such as Elections and Records and Licensing,… Read More
Featured Job: Executive Program Assistant
Closing Date/Time: Wed. 03/23/16 4:30 PM Salary: $26.49 – $33.58 Hourly, $55,099.20 – $69,846.40 Annually Job Type: Appointed Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington Department: King County Executive – Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget Description: King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy, & Budget (PSB) is seeking a seasoned professional to provide executive-level meeting planning and logistical support to senior management and committee and operations leadership. This role serves as a key member of the joint Executive office and PSB administrative support team. Our ideal candidate will have a strong… Read More
IT Governance: What it is and why it matters
This article is featured courtesy of Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology Governor Inslee’s investigation into the Department of Corrections’ early prisoner release issue cited “IT Governance” as a key contributing factor. What exactly is IT Governance? In short, it analyzes the need, researches the solution, takes advice from public and private sector experts, and creates an open environment to expose and fix errors quickly. More technically, IT Governance is an approach to IT solutions that integrates business needs, technology trends, innovation, best practices and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)… Read More
DES employees know hard work is worth the effort
More than 400 Department of Executive Services (DES) employees came together over two sessions on March 3 for the third annual DES All-Hands Meeting to build understanding of how DES employees contribute to the success of King County, support key priorities and how the department and the County can help them be more successful. Department Director Caroline Whalen wanted to bring the department’s employees together to build on the responses from the recent King County Employee Survey, share some successes from the department’s focus on customer service, and hear from King County… Read More
Changing management of animal services sees giant leap in adoptions
On Wednesday Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) celebrated an impressive feat: reducing the County’s shelter euthanasia rate for dogs and cats to 12 percent, down from 40 in 2008. King County Executive Dow Constantine met with animal welfare advocates at a Petco in Kirkland to commend the dramatic turnaround. The store has partnered with RASKC to showcase animals that are available for adoption, and has helped increase outreach and awareness to the overall community. “The people of King County want to know that every cat and dog has a safe,… Read More
Retirement means no coffee breaks for this outgoing employee
When most people retire they plan a big trip or some time to relax, but not outgoing Educator Consultant Chuck Davis. With his 27 years of change management and organizational development work under his belt, he is looking forward to channeling his passion into a private consulting practice. “I’ve learned and grown and matured while with the County, and I brought a certain skill set to my position, so this opportunity will be a nice marriage of the two,” he said. “I worked with employees to be more effective as a team,… Read More
New thinking finds forever homes for more animals
Helping animals find forever homes has always been the goal for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) but employees knew that they needed a shift in thinking if they were to save more animals. “I know it sounds corny but really there’s nobody there for these animals,” Lori Mason, Foster Care Coordinator and Licensed Veterinary Technician, said. “They were abandoned here for whatever reason and so all they have is us and the foster parents to find them a new life.” RASKC was formed in 2010 as a partnership between King… Read More
Featured Job: Executive Assistant – CAO
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/04/16 4:30 PM Salary: $69,846.40 – $88,524.80 Annually Job Type: Appointed Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington Department: Department of Executive Services Description: The Department of Executive Services – Director’s Office is searching for a seasoned professional to provide executive-level support to the County Administrative Officer and Deputy Director. This role involves daily interaction with the organization at all levels as well as external contacts. Successful candidates for this role will be self-starters who have excellent interpersonal skills, a keen attention to detail, an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and… Read More
Walk in the Shoes of a King County Employee – Family Law Facilitator Program
My job as King County Executive requires advocating for and balancing the needs of residents, employees, and the region as a whole. My years as an attorney working on behalf of clients taught me that fighting it out until there is a winner and a loser is usually less productive than figuring out what would work best for everyone involved. So I was excited for my first Walk in the Shoes this year – with legal staff in King County Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitator Program.
First Poetry-Based Symposium on Race and Racism Elicits Thoughtful Questions and Answers
by Donna Miscolta, Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “I didn’t expect to feel so much.” This testament to the power of the spoken word was one of several offered by the audience at the first of four symposiums on “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation” on January 12. This project, innovative in its approach to an understanding of racism, is made possible by the King County ESJ Opportunity Fund. Two poets, Quenton Baker and Casandra Lopez, presented their work to a group of 50 employees. It… Read More
Employee training spurs life changing decision
King County is inspiring. Its beauty, its people and its mission inspire King County employees to make a difference in their communities. It has even inspired outgoing employee Autumn Salamack to make a difference far away in Mascota, Mexico, about 2 hours east of Puerto Vallarta. She has taken her work with equity and social justice to heart and will soon leave King County for an adventure in the Peace Corps. Since August 2013 Autumn has served as the Sustainability Program Coordinator for King County Metro Transit. Her role soon grew to… Read More
A great place to look for love
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has recently partnered with Petco in Kirkland to bring pet adoption services to the region through the new Eastside Adoption Center facility. “We were approached by Petco to think more broadly about how we can reach the animal-loving public in King County, and an opportunity to bring dogs and cats to our pet-loving public,” said RASKC Director Gene Mueller. Located inside the Petco store, the 1,100 square foot location services many cities in the north King County region. Each animal available for adoption is originally… Read More
Invite to the OLEO Candidates “Meet and Greet”
King County has been recruiting for a new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight and has set aside dates for King County residents to meet and provide feedback on the final candidates. Join us to “Meet the Candidates” on either: Tuesday, February 16 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the TAF Center/Bethaday Community Learning Space, 605 SW 108th Street, Seattle (White Center); or Wednesday, February 17 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Lake Wilderness Lodge 22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley We are planning the two different events to give residents in… Read More
Eat healthy & support local farmers through Farm Fresh Local
Healthy IncentivesSM began on Tuesday, Feb. 2. and the program has a number of ways to help you eat healthy, including a new focus area, Farm Fresh Local. Through the Farm Fresh Local Text for Well-Being Individual Action Plan, you’ll receive tips and inspiration for eating local and making a difference—directly to your phone. During this Text for Well-Being program, you’ll learn fun facts about local food in King County, find out what’s in season, and get motivated to eat farm fresh food. Look for Community Supported Agriculture this spring As part of… Read More
Employees talk about importance of paid parental leave
Several employees are featured in a new King County TV video talking about the importance of bonding with a new-born child and how King County’s Paid Parental Leave pilot program will help them create that bond. “All the study shows that if you have that dedicated time that’s focused on a child you have better health outcomes for the child but also for the parents,” Councilmember Rod Dembowski said in the video. “And in this case, the program we’re talking about here, the parents are King County employees and we want to have good… Read More
Healthy Incentives is now underway
Healthy IncentivesSM is now underway! This year’s program offers the same great options and features as last year to help you achieve your health goals and be your best every day—while saving on your 2017 health care expenses. We invite you to think about your reason for being healthy and celebrate the reasons of your coworkers. You’re our reason for offering this program—to help you live a long, full life doing the things you love. By now, you should have received a welcome letter at your home with your Healthy Incentives ID and instructions… Read More
Disability doesn’t stop dancing employee
If you happen to see a man busting a move while cleaning up hedge trimmings or emptying a trash can at Marymoor Park, it’s probably Parks Specialist Dwight Lewis. Dwight has been with parks for 17 years and his enthusiasm for the work is showing no signs of waning. “He actually makes people on our crew want to be better at what they do,” Andy Boland, Parks Maintenance Coordinator, said. “He pushes us, he comes in with a lot of energy, positive attitude, and it’s really what we need; he’s a spark… Read More
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