Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the winners of the 23rd annual John D. Spellman Awards, the region’s highest honor for historic preservation. This year’s award winners include family-owned Kenmore Air for offering scenic Pacific Northwest flights for nearly 80 years, a flood risk reduction project that preserved cultural resources in an archeological site along the Green River, and the person who led the rehabilitation of one of the earliest homes built in Skykomish connected to the town’s railroad past. “The Spellman Award winners are saving and restoring King County’s rich history… Read More
Congratulations to the Assessor’s Office and District Court for leading the way with 100% of employees completing 2024 Cybersecurity Training! Other top finishers with more than 90% completion include (in alphabetical order): DNRP, Elections, Executive Services, Human Resources, Judicial Administration, KCIT, Local Services, Public Defense, Public Safety, and 4Culture. Seattle Public Libraries, Highline School District, SeaTac Airport – these and several other local government agencies were hit by serious cyberattacks in 2024. New threats are always emerging; that’s why cybersecurity training is constantly updated and is required for all King County employees… Read More
One of the easiest ways the bad guys trick you into falling victim to their fraudulent scams is to exercise a sense of trust by pretending to be someone you know. More than likely, you receive emails from your Human Resources team on a frequent basis. Scammers take advantage of this constant communication by crafting spear phishing attacks using emails that spoof your HR team. Spear phishing attacks are email scams that typically target an individual or organization by spoofing, or appearing to come from a trusted sender. Don’t blindly trust emails… Read More
Employees can enjoy several offers for discounted tickets to upcoming Seattle Symphony shows: Feb. 21 and 22: Disney’s Frozen in Concert with the Seattle Symphony – Enter promo code COMPOSER20 to unlock 20% off tickets and pay no additional fees. Pricing will adjust in your shopping cart. Limit 4 tickets per household. Feb. 23 to 25: From Roots to Canopy – Enter promo code KINGSSO to unlock 15% off tickets and pay no additional fees. Pricing will adjust in your shopping cart. Limit 4 tickets per household. Feb. 27: tenThing Brass Ensemble – Enter promo… Read More
As government employees, we are all subject to laws and regulations about how we manage records, and this includes how and when we dispose of them (destruction or transfer). For more information, see Disposition of Records guidance. Transitory records can be destroyed whenever you want, no documentation is needed Records already filed to Content Manager (CM) or stored at the Records Center do not require extra steps (Content Manager manages their retention and automatically initiates disposition once per year) For disposition of all other records, fill out a Disposition Request Form For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The… Read More
By Noah Haglund, DAJD Communications Specialist A snarl and a menacing look were all it took to push his way inside. When Erika Overall peeked out the front door of the Maleng Regional Justice Center’s (MRJC) administrative offices one chilly morning last week, she didn’t see the shaggy intruder at first. It was only when the executive assistant looked down that she noticed a head wedged in the door – the head of a large dog. Her attempt to shoo the canine away was met with a growl. She tried opening the… Read More
Balanced You Wellness Heroes highlights employees doing things to better their lives, the lives of their colleagues, and our community. Meet Wellness Hero Jeff Chan, Engineer II, King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). In this video, Jeff talks about his new role at the county, how his role helps keep residents safe and healthy in their homes, his past experiences working with theme parks, and more! Watch the video below.
Crossposted from Metro Matters Karin Peterson is a veteran operator going on three decades of service with Metro. She started driving because, as a single mother, Metro’s flexible schedule and benefits matched her needs for her family. LaToya Lewis came to Metro in 2024 after a family member suggested it was a good fit since she already had a Commercial Driver License. She graduated from operator training and became one of the growing number of new drivers to join Metro. Through a program called “Mentors Moving Metro,” they have formed a bond… Read More
Monday, Feb. 17 is Presidents’ Day, and King County government offices will be closed. All offices will reopen Tuesday, Feb. 18. On Feb. 17, Metro Transit buses will operate on weekday schedules. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
King County employees can receive discounted tickets to the upcoming Saturday, Feb. 22 Seattle Thunderbirds vs Everett Silvertips men’s junior hockey league game. It starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4:30 p.m., and is at the accesso ShoWare Center, located at 625 W James St, Kent, WA 98032. The discount link requires you to input coupon code “County” to purchase tickets for $24 plus fees, a discount of $10 off a regular priced $34 ticket. This discount only applies to blue seats on the seating chart. To purchase tickets, visit this link. See all… Read More
Choosing and visiting a primary care provider (PCP) is a great way to support you and your family’s health. Research shows that people who have a relationship with a primary care provider are more likely to receive high-value care, have better access to care, and report a higher satisfaction with their health care. Your PCP is the provider you visit for most medical needs, including preventive screenings, care for chronic conditions, and non-emergency illnesses. Your PCP is the person you speak to about your health questions and concerns, both mental and physical. They… Read More
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Making a living from farming is no easy undertaking. Gaining capital to enter the agricultural sector, accessing infrastructure for growing and producing, and navigating competitive markets are some of many challenges that farmers face. For BIPOC farmers and growers in particular, these challenges are compounded by the added layer of an enduring history of racial and social marginalization. The Black Farmers Index was created to increase the visibility of Black farmers that lack the exposure to sell or distribute their food. Read more.
This month, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and enduring contributions of African American and Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers in our region and beyond. In honor of Black History Month, the Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice is hosting “The Unspoken Truths,“ a traveling museum curated by Delbert Richardson. All King County employees are invited to visit the powerful exhibit which explores American history, culture, and contributions, fostering reflection, dialogue, and learning. You can visit the exhibit on the 13th floor of the Chinook Building during the first two weeks of February…. Read More
Crossposted from King County Parks Meet Marvin! For Parks employee Marvin Johnson, a day spent outside connecting with parks visitors is a good day. Quick with a smile and always happy to chat, he is one of the many people working hard to keep our county parks, trails and natural areas open and available to everyone. Hear from Marvin, other employees, and partners about how the King County Parks Levy enhances our region’s quality of life in our new video. Read more.
Crossposted from Metro Matters At King County Metro, we occasionally receive questions related to our handling of personal information and whether we coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on immigration-related matters. Metro, ORCA, Sound Transit, and other ORCA transit agencies do not share customers’ personal information with ICE or the TSA. This includes—but is not limited to—information shared while acquiring or updating an ORCA card, other transit pass or transit fare; and information provided to a fare inspector, transit customer service staff member, transit police officer,… Read More
King County’s Employee Giving Program gives employees access to support the causes and communities that matter most to them. The 2024 Annual Giving Drive, which ran from Oct. 7 through Nov. 22, 2024, was focused on small acts adding up to big impacts and the drive did just that. Employees are able to participate in the drive in numerous ways including monetary donations, donating time, and volunteering their skills. The total amount of dollars given throughout the 2024 drive was $2.37 million, a 3% increase in dollars year over year. There was… Read More
Crossposted from Metro Matters Feb. 4 was Transit Equity Day, a time to recognize the vital role public transit plays in advancing social and economic justice. Metro is proud to support the Labor Network for Sustainability’s mission to ensure transit is safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable, and affordable for all. Observed annually on Feb. 4, Transit Equity Day also honors the birthday of Rosa Parks, whose courageous act of defiance on a Montgomery bus in 1955 became a turning point in the civil rights movement and a lasting symbol of the fight for transit… Read More
Dear King County employee, I want to provide you with an update on King County’s budget. Overall, King County’s budget is healthy. However, one component – the General Fund – is facing a $150 million gap in 2026-2027 because of a state law that prevents property tax revenues from keeping up with inflation. State law prohibits more than a 1% annual increase in the property tax. King County, like many other counties, has managed within the 1% revenue growth limit by finding efficiencies, making small reductions in services, and finding small new revenue sources. This… Read More
Just like when you’re driving on the roads, tailgating can also be a problem when you’re walking into your workplace. Tailgating in the workplace is when an unauthorized individual follows an authorized person through a secured entry point such as a door or gate. It’s one of the most common security breaches, but is also easily stopped. You can prevent tailgating by staying vigilant and being aware of your surroundings, and not letting people follow you into secured workspaces. Tailgating can happen in a variety of ways, including opening a door and… Read More
Cold temperatures, snow, and freezing conditions are set to continue in our region tonight and into tomorrow. Please be prepared for icy, slippery conditions, possible commute delays, and impacts to business operations. If you work on site, please be prepared for snow and icy conditions. Accumulated snow and ice may create hazardous conditions, so exercise caution and take extra precautions as needed. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra… Read More