Plan ahead, expect delays during SR 99 closure beginning Jan. 11, 2019
Dear fellow King County employee,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Starting January 11, 2019, after the evening commute, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close SR 99 through downtown Seattle for approximately three weeks, and permanently close the SR 99 Viaduct. Additional ramp closures mean this work could create up to six weeks of traffic disruption.
No matter how you commute, or where from, you should expect significant delays during these closures and be prepared for crowded buses, trains, water taxis, and light rail. All buses coming into or through downtown Seattle will face delays. Twelve southwest routes and five northern routes will be directly affected by the closure.
Metro has been working with regional partners to provide travel options and alternatives to help you get around during the closure. Visit kingcounty.gov/getready to review your options and find out which routes are affected.
King County is always committed to delivering high quality services to our customers and we will continue to do so during this period. Please allow plenty of extra travel time to get to work and expect rush hour congestion to start earlier and end later.
You may wish to take vacation for some of this period, or consider adjusting your schedule, working at an alternative location, or teleworking if these are options for your job. If you wish to make alternative work arrangements for any of this period, please discuss these beforehand with your supervisor. We have existing policies that address attendance and work schedules, and a website with our telework policy, forms and templates that can assist your planning.
Also, as getting to and from meetings will be very difficult, try to limit meetings with external partners and people coming from outside Seattle during this period, or conduct meetings using Skype for Business (formerly Lync).
Thank you for helping us continue to meet and exceed the expectations of the people we serve during this construction work.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
This is a map of the SR 99 closure through downtown Seattle. For more information visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/realign99.
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Pet of the Week: Kingston
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
This regal-looking fellow is Kingston, our Pet of the Week!
Kingston is a German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd mix who is smart, playful, and protective of his people. Since he’s so spirited and fun-loving, he’s one of our “Rambunctious Red” pets.
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Featured Job: Chief Legal Counsel
Salary: $155,783.00 – $209,511.00 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appointed
Department: King County Council
Job Number: 2018-08997
Closing: 1/1/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
The Metropolitan King County Council is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic attorney with a passion for Public Policy, Leadership and Professionalism to join our team. The Chief Legal Counsel serves as a legal advisor to the Council and staff on a variety of matters dealing with public policy, legislation, and Council actions. The ideal candidate will be adept at municipal law, and the powers and duties of public officials and agencies. The Chief Legal Counsel is a senior level professional position and supervises the work of the Council’s Deputy Chief Legal Counsel. This position operates with considerable latitude in providing legal advice and proposed solutions for consideration by decision makers to support the Council in fulfilling its mission. The most competitive candidates will have an in-depth knowledge of County government and the theories and practices of civil and administrative law as they relate to local government. This is an exciting opportunity to join the King County Council staff and help provide excellent regional services to county residents. The position requires effective collaboration with Councilmembers, staff, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the King County Executive and County departments, other units of governments, and members of the public.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Training Spotlight: How to Navigate Amidst Overwhelming Times, Lean Basics and Introduction to Career Development
How to Navigate Amidst Overwhelming Times, Dec. 11: The King County Office of Equity and Social Justice is hosting a workshop that centers on the lived experiences of native employees and employees of color. This session will pay special attention to the intersection of trauma and oppression especially that of indigenous and people of color lived experience and background. This will be a large a cross disciplinary gathering that works towards building a critical mass of those striving for sustainability. Register and learn more, use password affinitygroup.
Lean Basics, Jan. 8: Have you heard about Lean before? Have you wondered if Lean could be applied on your job? Come and join us in the Lean Basics course where you will become familiar with the fundamental principles of Lean; such as Waste Identification, Visual Management, and Continuous Improvement. Students will engage the materials through instructor lead classroom discussions, and interactive hands-on learning. Read more and register.
Introduction to Career Development, Jan. 15: In this workshop you will learn the key elements of career development, identify your individual interests and values as they relate to career options, explore similar job classifications, learn the importance of competencies when identifying career options, leverage tips for engaging in conversations with your leadership, and gain the knowledge of how to research and seize career opportunities. You will choose a partner and participate in various exercises together. Read more and register.
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Kudos! King County Archives welcomes UK film crew
Pictured: A hand drawn map used in the case provided by King County archives.
On November 13, three representatives of London-based Arrow Media came to the King County Archives to see the Ted Bundy collection. Assistant Archivist Amanda Demeter laid out a selection of maps, photographs, and documents from the collection, and the crew also got footage of the collection in the vault. A documentary about Bundy is in production and slated for release some time next year. Arrow Media is expected to return to Archives soon for footage on a documentary about Gary Ridgway.
Kudos to King County Archives for being a valuable international resource on Pacific Northwest history!
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Did you know you had this benefit? Volunteer sick days
King County will pay you to volunteer: Eligible employees may use up to three days of sick leave each year to volunteer at any local school or any nonprofit organization participating in the King County Employee Giving Program. Learn more here.
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Inmate program provides opportunity and education
The Maleng Regional Justice Center’s Janitorial Certificate Program was recently featured on KING5 News. A story highlighting the program aired on Nov. 2 that featured how the custodial program sparks positive change for inmates.
Through an interview with Renton Technical College instructor Martin Douthit and current students, the video shows how programs like this provide people a second chance.
View the below or at this link.
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Looking to reduce stress? Try a mindfulness class
Balanced You offers a variety of health and well-being options to support employees so you can feel good, get the most out of life, and do your best work for the people of King County. If you’re looking to reduce stress, give one of our popular mindfulness classes a try. Practice mindfulness at County worksites, online, or in the community. There are still spots available in many upcoming classes. Contact Balanced You with questions at BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9626.
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Radio shop star: Ric Myers
KCIT Electronics Communications Specialist Ric Myers was assigned the task of finding a vendor to install a bi-directional Amplifier system (BDA) in the Shoreline Police Department’s new building, located at Shoreline City Hall. After he received the bids, Ric declared he would do the work himself. Ric, along with coworkers Aaron Oestmann and Sean Bachler, ran cable and installed antenna systems throughout the Shoreline Police headquarters, saving thousands of dollars and completing the project three months ahead of schedule. Because of Ric’s great attitude and great customer service, Shoreline Police have made him their “go-to guy” for all communications needs explained Ric’s coworker, William (Rich) Richardson Jr., King County System Manager.
But that’s not the end of the story. The King County Sheriff’s Office in Burien Precinct 4 was also scheduled to have a BDA installed by a private vendor. Ric went there to survey the facility and discovered a broken, pre-existing BDA System. His skills allowed him fix the broken BDA, saving King County more than $52,000 in replacement and installation costs.
“Regional Services, KCIT and King County are blessed to have Ric Myers on their team,” Rich said.
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Health Hero Karin Collinsworth uses her experience to help others live healthy
Karin Collinsworth is a familiar face to many employees. For the past 10 years, she has taught yoga twice a week in the Chinook Building’s Activity Center. Teaching the stretching art to County employees is her way of giving back. “I learned early on how important exercise is to reduce stress and be healthy, so I enjoy showing my co-workers how they can achieve both through yoga,” says Karin.
Karin is a systems analyst for King County Information Technology (KCIT). When she isn’t solving a systems crisis or teaching yoga, she is chatting with co-workers who stop her on her daily walks with Cocoa. Named for her beautiful chocolate mane, Cocoa is more than just your average pet; she is a diabetes alert dog. She alerts Karin when her blood glucose is going too high or too low, which can have serious complications. Cocoa has been with Karin for four years, but she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 17. “I’ve always been the kind of person who would rather try to do something about a situation and not just give up.”
A couple years after diagnosis, Karin signed up to participate in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and was randomized in the experimental (tight control) group. She worked with top doctors at the University of Washington on several studies. Although they haven’t been able to find a cure for diabetes, Karin says she is grateful that participating in the trials have kept her from having a lot of common health problems associated with the condition. “I consider myself lucky because I’ve had 30 years of good care during the studies. A lot of people with my disease experience sight loss and kidney failure,” Karin stated.
Read more from Balanced You
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