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Construction preparation work continues as new shelter design takes shape
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD), and the design team have reached an initial agreement on the new shelter site layout. Next, FMD will finalize design documents and meet with the City of Kent and King County Public Health to ensure that design decisions are up to code. The final design is expected to be approved by mid-summer. In the meantime, interior upgrades, electrical, and plumbing fixture replacements are ongoing. FMD has been working with a contractor to bring the… Read More
Reminder: Consumer fireworks banned in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local As the July 4th holiday nears, Local Services reminds everyone that the use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County, including communities such as White Center, Skyway, East Federal Way, Fairwood, and the East Renton area. Fireworks enforcement will be managed by the Code Enforcement team in the Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services. Code Enforcement will investigate complaints received about illegal fireworks use and/or sales in unincorporated King County. You can report violations online; you will be asked… Read More
Think twice about fireworks this Fourth of July
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC America will mark its 250th birthday this Fourth of July, and there are lots of celebrations planned all over the nation for the milestone. Many of those celebrations will include fireworks, both professional displays and people shooting off their own. While most areas of King County have banned most types of consumer fireworks, it’s a good bet that you’ll still hear a few bangs, booms, and pops around Independence Day. To help your pet cope with the noise and reduce the chance that they run away, Regional… Read More
Solving septic system puzzles: Portraits of Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider When you think of the public health department, you might think of vaccines, clinics, and disease tracking — you probably don’t think of septic systems. But where our wastewater goes and how it gets treated is foundational to public health! This installment of Portraits of Public Health features one of our septic experts, Beau, who shares his passion for the importance of septic systems in protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, and allowing a property to function as a home. Read more.
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
A message from King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Team, Sunday, I joined hundreds of King County employees, families, friends, and even a few pets to march together in solidarity, unity, and celebration at the Seattle Pride Parade. Pride celebrates a rich history of resistance, courage, and joy. It grew from the fight for basic rights and dignity, led by people, particularly Black Trans women, who refused to accept invisibility or inequality. Their activism laid the foundation for the freedoms and recognition the LGBTQIA+ community continues to pursue today. From the bold acts… Read More
Professional Development Scholarship application period closes July 10
Applications for the Professional Development Scholarship are open through Friday, July 10, 11:45 p.m. Eligible employees can receive up to $3,000 annually for training, certificates, degrees, licenses, or certifications. Check the scholarship intranet page for eligibility criteria, scholarship guidelines, and the application link. For help with the application, join the virtual support office hours on June 26 or July 8. Friday, June 26 from noon to 1 p.m. Join here. Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m. Join here. For questions, email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov and visit the scholarship intranet page.
Celebrate at the Seattle Pride Parade and travel with Metro!
Crossposted from Metro Matters The Seattle Pride Parade is back and more fabulous than ever on Sunday, June 28, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend to honor our LGBTQIA+ community—and have a lot of fun. It’s likewise a meaningful moment to observe the ongoing work to advance equity, dignity and support for LGBTQIA+ people. We’re encouraging everyone to plan ahead and ride transit if they are traveling to or around downtown Seattle to ease their trips. Read more.
Dr. Susan McLaughlin confirmed as Director of King County Department of Community and Human Services
This month, the King County Council confirmed Dr. Susan McLaughlin as the Director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) after Executive Girmay Zahilay nominated her earlier this year. Since last December, Dr. McLaughlin has served as the Acting Director of DCHS. She has spent over 20 years in DCHS, including serving as the Health and Human Services Administrator and the Director of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division. In her time with the department, she has overseen a wide range of programs for mental health and substance… Read More
Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier undergo refresh, July 1
Historically, Making Life Easier (MLE) has focused on helping King County employees with home- and life-related stress and concerns. On July 1, MLE will expand its services to also help employees with workplace issues. This all-in-one counseling is provided by King County’s external vendor Curalinc. Also on July 1, King County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will change its name to the Employee Assistance for Supervisors (EAS) and will provide resources to supervisors only. Supervisors will receive counseling, coaching, consulting, and training from the King County mental health professionals who worked with EAP. Click… Read More
The King County Water Taxi is inviting everyone to “Make it a Boat Day” this summer
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog On a warm June day, with music pulsing in the background, hundreds of people came to the King County Water Taxi terminal at Pier 50 in downtown Seattle for a celebration. They came down to the water on Friday, June 12 at the encouragement of the Water Taxi to “Make it a Boat Day” and take advantage of the opportunities that are available by sailing the Salish Sea. The M/V Doc Maynard sailed to the pier sporting new colors for the summer. The special wrap is in… Read More
This summer, Trailhead Direct just might be the easiest way to reach your favorite trails
Crossposted from Public Health Insider This summer is shaping up to be one of the busiest King County has seen in years. With major freeway construction underway and World Cup visitors expected to bring heavier traffic across the region, getting to your favorite trailheads may take longer than usual. For people looking to enjoy the outdoors without the stress of congestion, parking, or long delays, Trailhead Direct offers a simple, car free way to reach some of our most popular hikes. Read more.
Balanced You Mindfulness: 2026 summer schedule
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It’s a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Balanced You partners with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased, SolJoy, and Mindfulness Northwest. You can see the class list from each provider below. These classes are open to all employees. Each class is a one-time event. Below is a list of upcoming classes, along with their registration links. Read more.
King County Metro teams up to strengthen community, cultural connections during Seattle’s soccer summer
Crossposted from Metro Matters Smiles so big they fill the room. Connections so strong they last generations. As the region welcomes the world to Seattle’s soccer summer, community groups are teaming up with King County Metro to promote positive change and relationships that will last beyond the tournament events. This effort is called our Inclusivity Initiative, and through this work Metro aims to demonstrate that excellence in transit operations and deep commitment to community fairness are inseparable elements of true public service. Metro has convened conversations with community organizations and created a… Read More
Persistent as water: Celebrating the women engineers of King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories International Women in Engineering Day, observed every June 23, traces its roots to 1919, when a group of women who had stepped into engineering roles during the First World War refused to step back out when it ended. They formed the Women’s Engineering Society to fight for their place in the profession and to hold the door open for others. It took nearly a century for the world to formally mark what they started: the day was founded in 2014, received UNESCO patronage in 2017, and has… Read More
Take care working outdoors during hot weather
Warm weather is here, and employees and supervisors are reminded to take care of themselves and one another as temperatures rise. Some of our work needs to be performed outdoors, and in extreme heat, Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to when temperatures are cooler, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt schedules wherever possible so work can be performed in the morning. Please see the following advice and tips to help stay safe in the heat. Note… Read More
Executive Zahilay recognizes Juneteenth, a day that carries both celebration and weight
On Friday, June 19, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay emailed all County employees in recognition of Juneteenth, its history and legacy. “For me, Juneteenth is a reminder that the pursuit of freedom, opportunity, and justice for African Americans did not end in 1865,” Executive Zahilay wrote in his email. “Today, we honor the generations of African Americans who continued that pursuit long after June 19, 1865. People who organized, advocated, worshipped, taught, created, mentored, served, and led in their communities in the face of relentless resistance.” Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when… Read More
Seattle Seahawks discounts for fall games available
The Seattle Seahawks are excited to offer King County employees, family, and friends the opportunity to purchase tickets at a discounted rate for a few upcoming fall games. Purchase tickets here. Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:25 p.m. Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Chargers, priced $153 Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1:25 p.m. Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals, priced $133 Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1:25 p.m. Seattle Seahawks vs New York Giants, priced $133 See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Take the KCIA Community Outreach Survey
At King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA), we are always looking for ways to improve our outreach and better connect with the communities we serve. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us understand what is working well and where we can improve. We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our Community Outreach Survey. Your responses will help guide our efforts to improve communication, engagement opportunities, and access to resources and programs at KCIA. This survey is voluntary and anonymous. You can complete the survey here. Please share your input by July… Read More
King County Employee Transportation Program E-bike subsidy pilot
The King County Employee Transportation Program (ETP) is now accepting applications for the e-bike subsidy with options to lease a class 1 or 2 e-bike for up to one year. This subsidy can be used for up to $100 per month for up to one year e-bike lease subscription from any of the ETP preapproved vendors (Ridepanda, Rybit, Wombi). Spaces are limited, but if selected, you will receive a follow up email with concierge support to help identify which bike and vendor may work best for you. Options to purchase during or… Read More
Summer safety tips for pets
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Summer-like temperatures have arrived in the Puget Sound region. Be sure to keep yourself and your pets safe from the heat with these tips. Animals cannot sweat like humans, and they are vulnerable to overheating quickly, especially when the temperature rises above 80 degrees. Be sure your pets are ready for the summer heat with these safety tips: Be sure to provide plenty of fresh, cool water to pets, and shade from the sun. Though pets still need exercise during warm weather, take extra care when exercising… Read More
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