Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
From the Hip: Lorinda Youngcourt, Director, Department of Public Defense
A promising program helps young people take charge of their lives As public defenders, we’re often representing people who have already experienced considerable trauma in their lives, people in need of much more than a good criminal defense lawyer. We represent people who are homeless and mentally ill, who are poor and jobless, who have few resources and little support. That’s why I’m so pleased when we’re able to take steps that help to address some of the underlying issues that bring a person into the criminal justice system. And one such… Read More
Supporting Employee Growth and Development
When Kathy Waymire in the Department of Natural Resource and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division talked to her staff about the One Thing the group would focus on for their action plan, Growth and Development bubbled to the top of the list. Some were interested in improving skills for their current jobs and some were interested in looking down the road at what might come next for them. So, Kathy, eager to do something to support these aspirations now, turned to development plans as a tool to help her staff identify… Read More
A local organization’s perspective on why Communities of Opportunity is receiving national attention
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids blog In King County, many have taken note of Communities of Opportunity (COO), a ground-breaking partnership between community, the Seattle Foundation and King County to address inequities in health, social, racial, and economic outcomes. Now this approach is getting national attention. This past weekend, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro honored Communities of Opportunity. The Seattle Foundation received the Secretary’s Awards for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships in Washington D.C. at the Council of Foundations annual conference. Read more at Best Starts for Kids
Discounted tickets to see the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm Ticket prices between $16-$29, most sections within 101-128 Friday, June 3, 7 p.m. vs Phoenix Mercury Sunday, July 10, 4 p.m. vs Indiana Fever Friday, August 26, 7 p.m. vs Los Angeles Sparks Click here to access this offer and enter promo code: KING2016. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount Webpage.
Seventh annual Big Backyard 5K supporting King County Parks
Register for the seventh-annual Big Backyard 5K in support of King County Parks. The race is Sunday, June 5 at 9 a.m. at Marymoor Park. The course is flat, chip-timed, and stroller and dog friendly! Register as an individual or team today! And as a King County employee use promo code KCP5 for a $5 discount on your registration fee. Don’t forgot to stop by the King County Parks info booth for your Healthy Incentive’s Parks Fitness Challenge code! For more information about the Big Backyard 5K visit http://www.bby5k.com.
Governing magazine highlights King County for work on training management
Brooke Bascom, Employee Engagement Manager in Executive Services, was recently quoted in a Governing online magazine article, speaking towards using smart management skills. Her quotes reflect the importance of conscious and intentional action to work with employees to create a positive work environment. This is in response to a statement within the King County Employee Engagement Survey that received only 49 percent positive response rate: “My supervisors deal with problems among co-workers effectively.” Brooke explains that King County is working to establish opportunities for managers and supervisors to better address issues when they arise. She… Read More
Administrative Professionals Recognition Day, April 27
On Wednesday, April 27, 2016, King County celebrated National Administrative Professionals Day. Guest speakers included King County Executive Dow Constantine, Rhonda Berry, King County Deputy Executive for Operations, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, Susie Slonecker, Interim-Deputy Director-Human Resources Division, and Joanne Lee, Business and Development Manager of Seattle Colleges. Thank you to the Administrative Professionals Advisory Committee for their great work in putting this event together!! Click here to see a video of the event, or watch it below.
Featured Job: Community Service Officer
Closing Date/Time: Thurs. 05/05/16 04:30 PM Salary: $24.09 – $30.54 Hourly Location: Multiple locations in King County Job Type: Civil Service, Full Time, 40/hrs Wk Division: King County Sheriff’s Office Description: For application instructions and requirements, specific to Sheriff Office positions, please visit Civil Service Application Requirements. The responsibilities of this classification include providing to the community various law enforcement services that do not require powers of arrest. Duties include crisis intervention, conflict mediation and agency referrals. The incumbent also assists King County Sheriff’s Office in investigations, takes incident reports and acts… Read More
Kudos! Riders appreciate Metro driver adding humor to route
This bus rider appreciated the cheerful disposition and sense of humor shown by his driver on a quiet, sleepy morning. Kudos to this driver for ensuring riders get to work in happy, positive mood!
Finance and Business Operations team act as behind-the-scenes caped crusaders
It takes a lot to be a superhero. You’ve got to wear a cape and have the right color spandex. You’ve got to make sure your hair’s always big and shiny, and you’ve got to have the token admirer. Or you could work on the P-Card team in King County’s Finance and Business Operations Division. P-Card stands for Purchasing Card, and its King County’s preferred method of buying goods and services. It’s essentially a US Bank VISA credit card, issued to a King County employee that streamlines the purchasing and payment process…. Read More
Kudos! King County joins list of best places to work
King County’s efforts to create a workplace culture that empowers employees as problem-solvers and decision-makers are beginning to pay dividends, with the County making Forbes magazine’s list of America’s 500 Best Employers in 2016. King County ranked number 192 on the 2016 list –the first time it has appeared in the ranking– and number 19 among governments nationwide. Forbes compiled the list by asking more than 30,000 U.S. workers employed by companies with more than 5,000 staff members how likely they were to recommend their employer to someone else and how they… Read More
Paratransit/Rideshare Operations Manager steering program to meet rider needs
Imagine being unable to take a bus because of a disability. Riders without disabilities can take it for granted, but riders with disabilities do not. For those riders with disabilities who can’t take their trip on the bus, there is Access, King County Metro’s ADA paratransit service. It is a demand response, shared ride transit service that picks riders up and takes them to their destination. It operates during the same times and days as the bus does and riders can use it to go anywhere as they would the bus. With… Read More
KIRO 7 story looks at fix for 2017/18 budget deficit
King County is facing a $50 million budget deficit in 2017/18, and KIRO 7 News spoke recently to Budget Director Dwight Dively about a small fix that would have a big impact for the County’s ability to provide services. Below is an excerpt from the story: According to Dively, a 3.7 percent increase would help the county provide necessary services for its increasing population. At the current 1 percent rate, Dively explained, the county is in the red. “If we were able to keep up with inflation and population growth with our… Read More
Exercise program smashes stereotypes, pairing youth and law enforcement
The Badges and Barbells Weightlifting Club is a unique program that builds connections between King County and the community. The program is targeted toward students and First Responders, which includes law enforcement, corrections and fire personnel. It focuses on weightlifting, conditioning workouts and additional exercises to improve individual health and allow participants to form positive relationships. Andrew McCurdy, Sergeant with the King County Sheriff’s Office and current Covington Chief of Police, heads the program. “As First Responders, we too often only have contact with teenagers during times of crisis,” he said. “By… Read More
Featured Job: Functional Analyst II
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 05/09/16 11:59 PM Salary: $32.79 – $41.56 Hourly Job Type: Career Service Location: Chinook Building, Downtown Seattle, Washington Department: Department of Public Health–Administrative Services Description: This position reports to the Health Information Management (HIM) Manager, in the executive branch of Seattle and King County Department of Public Health. The HIM Functional Analyst will support key HIM activities in the following Divisions: Jail Health Services (JHS), Prevention (STD and TB clinics) and Community Health Services (CHS). They will also work with the King County Records Center, King County Information Services… Read More
Apply for the 2016 Bridge Fellowship Program
Crossposted from the DES Express blog Applications open soon for the 2016 Bridge Fellowship Program: A Career Development Course for the Emerging Leader. The program is an opportunity for any employee to gain new skills and knowledge to assist in advancing your career at King County. Employees who participated in the 2015 King County employee engagement survey identified access to training opportunities and career growth as a key driver of their engagement, but less than half responded positively to having fair and equal access to career advance opportunities. The Bridge Fellowship Program… Read More
Flood reduction grant opportunity deadline is May 27
The King County Flood Control District has announced the availability of $3.3 million in grant funding for projects that reduce the impact of flooding in King County. Eligible applicants include homeowner associations, non-profit organizations or associations, schools, special purpose districts, tribes, cities and towns within King County and King County agencies. Individuals who need funding for a local flooding issue are encouraged to work with an eligible group to apply for a grant. Projects must provide a flood reduction benefit so that it directly addresses existing or potential flooding. The deadline for… Read More
Drug court graduation draws media attention
Public defender Natasha Coleman recently asked King County Superior Judge Cheryl Carey if graduates from the King County Adult Diversion Drug Court could share a talent at their graduation ceremony. The judge agreed, and the first such performance happened Wednesday, when rapper Shelby Allen – a 22-year-old man and one of Natasha’s clients – shared his story and his appreciation for Drug Court through a rap he wrote. KCTV, KING5 and KIRO radio were on hand to observe him. Natasha said Shelby was thrilled. “It was the best ceremony I have ever… Read More
Kudos! Seattle Times recognizes KC Metro driver for exceptional service
The Seattle Times recently profiled KC Metro driver Cherry Gilbert noting her positivity and good-natured approach to her work. “Cherry Gilbert is so well suited to her job behind the wheel that she’s never caused an accident or gotten a complaint. In fact, she’s never even lost her cool. She’s so good-natured that she’s completely unfazed by drivers who honk or cut her off, bicyclists who flip her off, or passengers who ramble, yell or curse.” Read more at the Seattle Times. Image courtesy of The Seattle Times.
Employee discounts: Sounders FC and Mariners
King County’s Employee Discount Program has new discounts available: Seattle Sounders FC – Saturday June 25, 2 p.m. Sounders FC vs. New York City. Ticket prices: Green Zone (Hawks Nest) $24; Balcony (first four rows of 300 level) $27. To take advantage of this offer, click here to purchase tickets and then enter the Special Offer Code: Employee2016. If you do not already have an account you will need to create one. If you have any issues with this offer please contact Gary Boyle. Seattle Mariners – Friday, May 13 vs Los Angeles Angels, and Friday, August 19 vs Milwaukee Brewers. Ticket prices: $12… Read More
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