Featured Headlines
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
Using sick leave to volunteer helps employees make a difference in our community
“When you ask most people what they want to do when they retire, they will often say two things – travel and volunteer more,” said Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager. “During an employee’s work life, making time for volunteering can be difficult. By allowing our employees to use up to three days of sick leave to volunteer at a King County Employee Giving Program nonprofit or at a local school, it frees them up to do it today – instead of waiting for retirement.” The volunteer program allows all employees covered… Read More
Finding hope and raising awareness during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
This September, as we recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we are reminded that we can all provide hope and support to those who are struggling. Too many people experience suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need. The COVID-19 pandemic added to our anxieties and challenges, putting further stress on people’s mental health and wellness. We know that every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members suffering a tragic loss. When we lose someone to suicide, it has a deep and… Read More
Resources to help people at risk for suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and an opportunity to highlight some of the resources and services available to support mental health and emotional well-being. “We know that every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members suffering a tragic loss,” Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams said. “When we lose someone to suicide, it has a deep and profound effect on us.” One way we can help people who are struggling is to learn to identify the risk factors, recognize the warning signs, and know what… Read More
Executive Constantine proclaims National Payroll Week
King County Executive Dow Constantine is recognizing the dedication and expertise of King County’s payroll professionals by proclaiming Sept. 4 through Sept. 8, 2023 as National Payroll Week. “King County payroll professionals play a key role in maintaining the economic health of the County, in ensuring the economic security of families by carrying out diverse tasks such as processing paychecks, payments to child support, and tax withholding, reporting, and depositing,” Executive Constantine said in the Proclamation. Read the full Proclamation below.
Celebrating the team behind your pay
As we celebrate National Payroll Week, we’re highlighting the work of the Central Payroll Operations Team which ensure that all employees are paid accurately and on time every pay period. Central Payroll Operations works hard to ensure paychecks are received in a timely, smooth manner, with no hiccups or inconveniences to employees. The team also handles payroll taxes and provides employees with annual W-2 forms. “Payroll seems like it would be really simple: department timekeepers report time and time off, Human Resources reports changes to positions or pay rates and employees magically get a… Read More
King County launches new effort to prevent youth suicide, invites you to join
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections September is coming around the corner, and we are preparing for September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The Department of Community and Human Services partnered with Rescue Agency to develop a countywide Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign to help prevent youth suicide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, including a Suicide Prevention Week of Action that will take place Sept. 10 – 16, 2023. Read more.
Massive pumps at West Point Treatment Plant get a tune up
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories The Intermediate Pump Station pumps that push wastewater through West Point Treatment Plant are massive and old. This three-pump trio is from the era of crimped hair and flannel shirts and Pearl Jam on a cassette tape. In constant service since 1993, they are now among the last of their kind on the West Coast. Even as pump designs (and hairstyles) have moved on, King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is making these reliable ones last another 20 years. Last summer, the first pump came out of its… Read More
Sign up for onsite employee flu shot clinics
Getting a flu shot will help to protect you, your loved ones, and your work colleagues from getting sick with the flu this season. King County is hosting onsite flu clinics where employees can get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every year, ideally by the end of October. Onsite flu clinics start Sept. 18. Learn more about onsite flu clinics and how to register here. In addition to onsite flu clinics at county worksites, employees can also get vaccinated at pharmacies and healthcare clinics. All… Read More
Executive, employees accept Employer Support Freedom Award in Washington D.C.
King County was honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C. with a 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of its support of National Guard and Reserve members. Only 15 recipients were selected for the award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to small and large private and public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. On hand to receive the award were King County Executive Dow Constantine, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, Metro Transit Operator Christopher Cappelletti… Read More
Discounts to 2023 Washington State Fair
King County employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Sept. 1-24. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you log in to the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
An update on COVID-19: Q&A with Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Crossposted from Public Health Insider You may have heard reports recently of increases in cases of COVID-19 in many parts of the U.S. We talked with Public Health’s Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Dr. Eric Chow, about what’s happening with COVID-19 in King County right now. Question: Are we seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in King County? Dr. Chow: Yes. Since the beginning of August 2023, we’ve started to see an increase in some COVID-19 metrics in King County, including COVID-19 emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Individual COVID-19 case counts have… Read More
Blood donations urgently needed ahead of Labor Day
Shared from the Washington State Department of Health The Washington State Department of Health and Northwest Blood Coalition urge people to donate blood now to avoid a summer blood shortage. Bloodworks Northwest and Vitalant characterize the summer months as the “100 Deadliest Days.” Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, demand for blood remains constant, transfusion needs increase, but donations go down. Despite updated donor eligibility guidelines that allow more people to donate blood, nationwide the American Red Cross has seen a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations during the first two months of summer. With fewer donations,… Read More
Third annual FOD Walk nets a key and other debris
Crossposted from the DES Express On July 22, about 140 people participated in the third annual FOD Walk at King County International Airport-Boeing Field, gathering on the main runway to remove Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Notable finds this year included a key, a screw, and other debris including rocks. Foreign object debris can be dangerous to aircraft, pilots, and passengers. “This year saw new sponsorships, more people (including King County Councilmembers), and perfect weather,” said Sam Priest. “All combined that provided a fun and exciting event, making King County International Airport a… Read More
Uprooted and transplanted, Max and his trees find new homes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories from King County People from around the world have found themselves calling King County home, with only an estimated three in 10 Seattle area adults born in Washington. One of these Seattle transplants is Max Solis, who uprooted from Los Angeles in 2019. “I felt like I was in the wrong place, like there was no future for me in California,” Max says. “I really feel like I’ve found my place in Seattle.” It should be of no surprise then to learn that Max has found himself looking over his… Read More
Growing people power rooted in community love
From the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group “King County is centering people and their experiences to help inform what shapes our strategies, which shape our policies, funding, procurements, and allows true impact in communities being able to create their own resource building,” Amy Pak (she/her) says. “We have incredible leaders. There’s so much knowledge, skill, and power within the community.” Inaccessible, exclusionary practices and a history of systemic racism and inequity obstruct the pathways for grassroots, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrant and refugee communities to access needed services…. Read More
Labor Day holiday is Monday, Sept. 4
Monday, Sept. 4 is Labor Day, which means that King County government offices will be closed. All offices will be back on schedule Tuesday, Sept. 5. On Sept. 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Animal Services hosts free vet clinic
Crossposted from the DES Express Washington Health Outreach and The Ellevet Project teamed up at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) headquarters in Kent recently to provide free veterinary care for pet owners facing financial hardship. “It went really well,” said Anna Ludwig, board pre
Thunder Run uses KCIA as western hub for the first time
Crossposted from the DES Express King County International Airport – Boeing Field (KCIA) supported Thunder Run, an emergency exercise managed by a consortium of volunteer pilots and other groups, for the first time last month. KCIA served as one of the hubs west of the Cascade Mountains for the drill, which involved folks from all over Washington and Oregon. Read more.
Ernest Kandilige appointed permanent Metro Deputy General Manager
Crossposted from Metro Matters Since the beginning of the year, Ernest Kandilige has been serving as Metro’s Interim Deputy General Manager. Starting today, I’m delighted to share that we will no longer need “Interim” in his title, as I have officially appointed Ernest as Metro’s Deputy General Manager. As Deputy General Manager, Ernest is focused on supporting Metro operations in Vehicle Maintenance, Bus Operations, Transit Facilities, Safety and Security, Marine and Rail. I am confident in the leadership that Ernest brings and know how deeply he cares about the role Metro plays… Read More
New public website, www.KingCounty.gov, now live
King County has successfully transitioned our public website (kingcounty.gov) to a new platform! The new website provides a user-centered experience with information that is easier to find, navigate, and understand. The site features a modern design and simplified organization that reflects current best practices. Universal templates offer consistent experiences across departments and encourage “plain language” content written for 5th-8th grade reading levels. Thank you for your patience while we settle into this new and exciting online space! Here’s what you can expect: Be prepared for customer questions. Online visitors will see the new King… Read More
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