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Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
Get ready for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is just around the corner—Nov. 1–15. Many employees will have some significant benefit changes for next year. Look for information mailed recently to your home address and use the following resources to learn about the changes and all of your benefit choices for 2026. Go to the Open Enrollment web page. Find everything you need in one place, including links to resources and detailed information about the changes for next year. Look for the Open Enrollment mailer sent to your home address or download a copy: Regular Employee Mailer, Transit ATU 587 Employee Mailer, Deputy… Read More
Tina Shields recognized for 40 years of service
Crossposted from the DES Express On Oct. 28, Tina Shields, P-Card Program Manager in Accounts Payable for the Finance and Business and Operations Division, will reach a rare milestone: serving King County for 40 years. The King County Council recognized Shields at their meeting on Sept. 16. “I came from a very poor background,” Shields said. “I’m one of those people that’s not going to give up even if the odds are against me.” After working at an insurance company for five years, Shields started her career at King County as an… Read More
Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, July – August 2025
Crossposted from Metro Matters They enjoy watching the Seattle Sounders and Manchester United. One is a “Proud Country Girl” who enjoys being outdoors. They fish, hunt and travel and play softball and volleyball. Those who ride with them say one went the extra mile to return a lost phone: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have it back, knowing it was safely with him the entire time.” Another rider talked about their ability to help a distraught passenger: “I was so impressed with her ability, in the midst of snow and… Read More
King County Metro ridership growth second highest among nation’s largest transit agencies
Crossposted from Metro Matters Marking ongoing positive ridership growth, King County Metro posted a silver medal win among the 10 largest transit agencies nationwide. Metro had an estimated 63 million boardings this year through Aug. 31, which is increase and 4.5 million higher than the same time last year. Comparing Aug. 2024 and 2025, we’re seeing about 5,000 more morning boardings, 6,600 more midday boardings and 9,500 more afternoon boardings on an average weekday. A regional rising star is the RapidRide G Line. Although the new line only just celebrated its one-year anniversary,… Read More
Disability services available for employees
This October is the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce. As we celebrate acknowledgement, it is helpful to be reminded of the amazing Disability Services teams taking care of and supporting King County employees. Disability Services collaborates with the individual, their healthcare provider, and the appropriate departmental personnel for an individualized analysis of reasonable job accommodations that could effectively meet health or disability needs in the workplace. View this Disability Services Overview for more information and… Read More
Start something good. Give today.
King County’s Annual Giving Drive is underway, running from Sept. 29 to Nov. 14, 2025. This year’s theme, “Start Something Good,” is a celebration of King County’s strong legacy and invites us to cultivate hope and take positive action. Every act of giving is a fresh beginning. Through the Annual Giving Drive, we can choose to grow the good by supporting causes that matter most to each of us. Check out this video to learn more about the Annual Giving Drive, ways to give, and how to join! To see the full list of Employee Giving… Read More
Two King County Airport leaders recognized by airport executives’ association
John Parrott, director of King County International Airport-Boeing Field, received the President’s Award of Distinction from the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NWAAAE) during the chapter’s annual conference in early October. Dave Decoteau, who serves as the airport’s deputy director, was elected first vice-president of NWAAAE during the same gathering in Colorado Springs. Read more. Pictured below: On left, John Parrott, Director of King County International Airport-Boeing Field, and on right, Dave Decoteau, the airport’s Deputy Director and recently elected first vice-president of NWAAAE.
King County named Public Agency of the Year
Crossposted from the DES Express Submitted by the Finance and Business Operations Division King County received the Public Agency of the Year Award at an awards ceremony last Friday evening, Oct 17. Ken Guy, director of the Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD), accepted the award on behalf of the County, quipping, “Better never stops.” The Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council presented the award, which goes to a public agency that demonstrates strong leadership, innovative ideas, and a genuine commitment to supplier diversity and economic inclusion. It recognizes organizations that do… Read More
What keeps us going when the weeds keep growing
Crossposted from the Noxious Weeds Blog “What do you say when the [Noxious Weed] work feels futile?” This was a question that came to us earlier this season from Andrew Munson, a Noxious Weed coordinator over in San Juan County. It wasn’t a rhetorical question — he was genuinely wondering how other weed professionals handle the hard stuff: the Sisyphean [no end in sight] reputation of Noxious Weed control, the thankless days, the public skepticism, the physical toll, the moments that make you ask what’s the point? We felt it. Because we’ve… Read More
John Hurt’s career: family, service and new horizons
Within days of leaving active duty in the Army, he started as a corrections tech at the King County Jail — where both of his parents worked at the time. Decades later, he’s taking on new challenges as a supervisor. Read more. Pictured: Corrections Program Administrator John Hurt, left, is congratulated by Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Director Allen Nance.
King County launches new Stop Hate Hotline
Recently, King County Executive Shannon Braddock, in partnership with King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and non-profit Crisis Connections, announced the launch of the new Stop Hate Hotline, marking a significant milestone in the county’s efforts to combat hate crimes and support affected communities. The hotline can be reached at 833-786-7481 or 833-STOP-H81. “The launch of the Stop Hate Hotline represents King County’s unwavering commitment to creating a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and protected from hate and bias. This hotline provides crime victims and survivors support, resources, and assistance in reporting… Read More
Celebrate World Animal Day and Adopt a Shelter Dog Month: Give back through the Annual Giving Drive!
October is a special time to honor our furry, feathered, floating, and four-legged friends. World Animal Day was on Oct. 4, which shines a global spotlight on animal welfare, reminding us of the joy and companionship animals bring. You can see all animals awaiting adoption at the Regional Animal Shelter of King County here. It’s also Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a chance to support the thousands of dogs waiting for loving homes. Through the Annual Giving Drive, you can donate to nonprofits that rescue, shelter, and care for animals in need. Whether you’re… Read More
Upcoming pulse survey on employee communications
The Department of Human Resources (DHR) will be administering a pulse survey to King County employees from Oct. 28 to Nov. 14, 2025. This short survey is focused on employee communications and tracking progress on the recent Employee Engagement Survey that was conducted in March. The survey will also help to better understand the Engagement Survey question, “There is open and honest two-way communication at King County.” We want to hear from you so we can learn what tools, channels, and information you use and need to do your job effectively and… Read More
Don’t leave history behind: Celebrate Archives Month
October is Archives Month, and King County Archives wants you to celebrate with us. We’re offering county staff tours of our beautiful space, including the areas where we store and preserve historically significant county government records. What is Archives Month? Many people don’t realize that the historical county government records at King County Archives are publicly accessible. Archives Month is a reminder to explore and make use of them. Preserving government records is essential for promoting democracy and government transparency. Read more.
Balanced You Conversations with Debra Berliner
Balanced You Conversations is a series of talks about important topics related to overall health and well-being. Karla Clark, Employee Health & Wellness Project/Program Manager III with the Balanced You team, sits down with Debra Berliner, Communications and Education Team Manager, Immunization Branch at Public Health – Seattle & King County. They discuss vaccine safety, access, and community impact. Deborah explains that children’s immune systems are strong enough to handle multiple vaccines at once, and that doing so is both safe and convenient. She shares that all children ages zero to 18… Read More
Knowing your role during winter weather and emergencies
Being prepared for an emergency helps us to keep one another safe and to continue providing essential services to the people of King County. In the case of a significant disaster or emergency, county leaders must prioritize which functions and services will be provided, and which can be delayed or suspended. This prioritization informs King County’s employee emergency designations. Executive branch departments are in the process of communicating employee emergency designations to their employees using three designations. Read more.
Discounts for WA State Fair Oktoberfest, Seattle Seahawks, and ECHO
King County employees can now take advantage of the following discounts. WA State Fair Oktoberfest: Employees can take advantage of a discount for single day admission to Oktoberfest at the Washington State Fair Event Center, Oct. 3-5. Enjoy Bavarian entertainment, food, beer, games and more. Learn more here. King County employee Seahawks discount tickets: The Seattle Seahawks are excited to present an exclusive ticket offer to all King County Employees. Seahawks vs. Colts, Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:25 p.m., $85 Seahawks vs. Rams, Thursday, Dec. 18 at 5:15 p.m., $85 Purchase tickets here. For assistance, call… Read More
Support learning through the Annual Giving Drive
October is bursting with opportunities to honor the power of learning! World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5 shines a spotlight on the incredible educators who shape minds, spark curiosity, and build brighter futures; often while navigating underfunded schools, packed classrooms, and limited resources. It’s also National Book Month, a time to celebrate the stories, knowledge, and imagination that books bring to life. What better way to support both than through the Annual Giving Drive? Let’s rally together to uplift education and literacy by donating to nonprofits that champion teachers, students, and lifelong learning…. Read More
Don’t be caught off guard: Possible flooding risk early in the King County flood season
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green Seasonal weather predictions for this fall and winter predict a pattern similar to last year, including, an enhanced risk of snow and possible flooding early in the season, followed by neutral conditions later in winter and early spring. No matter what seasonal forecasts call for, the fact remains that flooding is the most common natural disaster in King County. If you live, work, play, or commute through King County, don’t be caught off guard – just a few inches of floodwater can cause damage to your… Read More
Making transit the best way to travel
Crossposted from Metro Matters Every weekday, our transit agency’s employees connect more than 300,000 riders to countless destinations in Washington state. But it’s our more than two million residents and visitors who truly drive King County Metro. A year ago, APTA credited Metro for having the second-fastest growing ridership among large transit agencies in the U.S. Since then, even more people are choosing our system and they’re doing so because we’re listening to them and meeting their needs. Read more.
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