Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Cross-posted from Plane Talk With freezing temperatures already hitting the region this fall, King County International Airport (KCIA) is getting ready for the winter ahead. Airport staff held the annual review of the Snow and Ice Control Plan (SICP) late last month and is readying equipment. Airport staff are in close contact with the Northwest Weather Service to stay abreast of severe weather forecasts. As soon as adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice are forecast, Airport Operations activates the SICP and notifies airport leadership. The Airport Duty Manager continuously monitors… Read More
“For those who do not work inside the jail or juvenile detention, these can be somewhat mysterious places. For those who do know the jail and detention, we often see people when they are at the lowest point in their lives.” That statement from the opening remarks by Alan Nance, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) at their annual awards ceremony underscores the importance of the work each and every one of the people in DAJD do every day to provide a safe and secure environment. “Our annual… Read More
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times from the King County Courthouse to King Street Station and Colman Dock via the Pioneer Square light rail station. In this pilot phase, which started Monday, Nov. 6, King County employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street… Read More
The Administrative Professionals Program is excited to announce the Administrative Professional Recognitions for the 2023 third quarter, from July through September. These 10 individuals have been recognized for their excellence as administrative professionals at King County. View the recognitions here. The list includes: Catalina Corvalan, Marni Donnely, Shenathan Burtdon, Linda Eaves, Ithica Nolan-Williams, Susan Felchlin, Alison Hoffarth, Stephanie Scappini, Viviana Ramirez-Carrillo, and Bryan Baird. Thank you to the Administrative Specialists, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and others who keep King County operating. Please consider taking a moment to recognize an Administrative… Read More
The Employee Giving Program helps King County employees support a multitude of causes from arts, culture, and humanities to mental health services, and more. We have been doing this for 35 years and it is amazing to see the positive impact King County employees can have by working – and giving – together. We can make a difference and are better together! Check out this video below to learn more about the Employee Giving Program and be a part of the change! You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today!
Now in its 11th year, King County Regional Veterans Court (RVC) strives to increase effective cooperation between federal, state, and local veteran’s service agencies and the criminal justice system. RVC’s mission is to address the underlying issues that have resulted in veterans being referred to the criminal justice system. This Veterans Day, RVC is seeking additional veteran mentors to work with RVC participants. “Mentors help to continuously support and uplift the veterans they partner with as each vet undertakes the rigorous RVC program requirements,” says Terrell Carrington, RVC Mentor Program Coordinator for… Read More
The King County Vehicle Maintenance Community Connection (VMCC) group is building community among the women, trans women, and nonbinary people in Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance (VM) Division. The mission is to build a sustainable and structured support group where measurable outcomes build community among the women in VM to deconstruct loneliness. The group seeks to understand what it would take to support the current women in VM, and prepare to support future women hired into VM. The group also provides education about the resources available for personal and professional growth. Together, members in… Read More
We are in the fifth week of the Employee Giving Program’s (EGP) Annual Giving Drive and are making great progress. King County has a strong history of supporting and uplifting arts, culture, and humanities that reflect creativity, shared history, and diversity of perspectives. There is a plethora of organizations that create spaces and places that build cultural wealth, connect across differences, and tell stories of vibrant communities. We’ve highlighted a few EGP organizations that are pillars in King County that specialize in arts, culture, and humanities, including a shout to Bob Ross… Read More
Many small businesses and restaurants struggled to stay open and some unfortunately shuttered during the lockdown and restriction period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small and locally-owned restaurants are the essence of local communities, fostering growth, providing jobs, and contributing to the unique character of their neighborhoods. King County Local Services responded during the pandemic by offering relief funding to numerous small businesses in the county. We were pleased to see that four of the seven restaurants recommended in this recent Seattle Times article received COVID-19 relief funding from King County. It’s rewarding… Read More
Open Enrollment starts today and ends Nov. 15. To ensure you are selecting the right benefits for you and your family for 2024, learn about your choices and see what’s changing next year: All set? When you’re ready, login to PeopleSoft Nov. 1 – 15, and select the Open Enrollment tile. Make your changes, review your Preview Statement, then use the Submit Enrollment button. For help with PeopleSoft, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357. If you don’t participate in Open Enrollment… Need assistance? Contact the Benefits team: Benefits, Payroll and Retirement… Read More
Did you know that building and facility energy use is the region’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which represents nearly half of King County carbon emissions? The continual increase in greenhouse gas emissions is a key driver of the ongoing climate crisis. The need for sustainable, regenerative, and resilient building practices is critical to curbing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a climate-friendly future. Additionally, climate change often disproportionately impacts frontline communities – communities that face historic and current inequities and have limited resources to adapt, often cited as environmental justice… Read More
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories What do whales and wastewater treatment have in common? A visit to Brightwater Treatment Plant in Woodinville explains it all. Inside the wastewater treatment plant, giant baleen-like filters are on rare display as King County Wastewater Treatment Division staff begin replacing the plant’s 48 membrane-filtration modules. Brightwater’s state-of-the-art membrane filtration system filters out bacteria and viruses from wastewater – much like whale baleen – as a last step in cleaning water before it’s piped to Puget Sound. This is the first time Brightwater is replacing its membrane… Read More
King County employee ORCA passes will automatically renew at the start of the new year and employees should disregard the expiration alert when tapping for use on transit. For questions or concerns, please reach out to the Employee Transportation Program coordinator at ETP@kingcounty.gov.
The Employee Giving Program provides thousands of ways to make a difference all through one program. During the Annual Giving Drive, King County employes have access to a wide breadth of different causes. We have spotlighted a number of organizations that represent this diversity of causes and missions. Organizations that are committed to keeping our regions natural ecosystems healthy and thriving. LGBTQ+ led organizations that create safe spaces and work for LGBTQ+ rights. Organizations that offer support and solutions for victims of domestic violence. Read more to learn about each nonprofit. You can find… Read More
Crossposted from the DES Express Earlier this month, Andrew Cronholm joined Fleet Services as Deputy Director. He started part time on Oct. 2 while transitioning from his role in the Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget (PSB). He officially began full time in Fleet on Oct. 9. Read more.
Crossposted from Metro Matters With free fare for those 18 and under, youth have unlocked the freedom to Go All the Places, and Do All the Things! We’re proud to share with you the positive response from youth and community, one year into Free Youth Transit Pass. Youth can ride for free by using a Youth ORCA card, showing a student ID, or just getting on board on transit systems across the region. Read more.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently awarded the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget’s Criminal Legal section a $1 million grant to contract for virtual re-entry services for people being released from King County jail and people returning to King County after being release from Washington State prisons. PSB’s Criminal Legal section will use the funding to procure and implement an electronic, 24/7/365 substance-use disorder (SUD) recovery system that offers immediate and interim SUD interventions specifically designed to address the unique needs of people involved in the criminal legal system. Interventions will include evidence… Read More
Crossposted from KC Balanced You As we head into the fall and winter, the CDC has recommended that everyone six months and older, even if you have received the vaccine before, get the updated, recently released COVID-19 vaccine to protect against new strains of the virus. King County employees can access the vaccine at worksites, pharmacies, clinics, and community events. Why do we need an updated COVID vaccine? COVID-19 has not gone away, and local hospitalizations are on the rise. It is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community… Read More
Crossposted from King County Local Two members of the King County Local Services team recently received some much-deserved recognition for reaching impressive milestones in their public service careers. Our own Bong Santo (Sto.) Domingo and john miller were honored by King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council for their decades of service. Bong, a Community Liaison, was recognized for his 45 years in public service, including the last 27 with King County. john, who serves as our Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team Manager, was honored for his 25 years. Read… Read More
On Sept. 8, 2023, a shallow magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck near the town of Oukaïmedene in western Morocco. It was the largest earthquake to strike the area in a century. Sadly, thousands of people lost their lives, more injured, and the area suffered massive infrastructure damage. Survivors are receiving intensive medical care, and families need food, water, shelter, and help reuniting with loved ones. Not too long after, catastrophic flooding struck eastern Libya on Sept. 10 and 11, 2023, because of heavy rains from Storm Daniel. Additionally, the storm caused major damage to infrastructure,… Read More