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How an award-winning approach to workforce development produced a new generation of wastewater talent
An award-winning approach to recruiting and training talent is providing King County with a new generation of skilled tradespeople to operate the region’s wastewater system and protect Puget Sound. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored the program with its National Environmental Achievement Award for “initiatives that have made a remarkable impact on environmental protection, the advancement of the water sector, and the betterment of their communities.” Read more and watch the video.
Do you take Humira? Important medication coverage update
If you or a family member take the medication Humira (adalimumab) and you’re on a Regence BlueShield medical plan, please note the following coverage change. Starting April 1, 2024, Humira will no longer be covered for those on the Regence KingCare PPO and KingCare Select medical plans. CVS Caremark®, the pharmacy benefits manager for Regence BlueShield, recently mailed letters to inform impacted members that the biologic drug, Humira, will be removed from the list of covered medications and replaced with biosimilar drugs. A list of covered alternate medications specific to the member’s… Read More
New Public Records Act exemption available to protect employee safety
King County employees can now apply for an exemption from disclosures under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. Public employees can seek an exemption from having certain records such as their birthdate, job title, workplace address, work email address, work phone number, and bargaining unit disclosed under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. The exemption from public disclosure does not apply to… Read More
Executive Constantine thanks Department of Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor for his leadership on transformative investments for the people of King County as he accepts a role outside government
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) director Leo Flor will be departing King County service this month for a role outside of government. Kelly Rider, currently serving as the department’s chief of staff, will become interim director following Flor’s departure on Feb. 27. Flor joined King County in 2017 to lead the renewal and expansion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). In 2018, Executive Constantine appointed Flor to serve as DCHS Director. DCHS is a 580-person department that invests in services for older adults, behavioral health treatment,… Read More
IT Helpdesk “walk-up window” now available at King Street Center
Updated Feb. 8, 2024 For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window at King Street Center. Unlike other Helpdesk locations, you can visit the IT Window without an appointment every Mon. – Thur. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for holidays). KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or battery problems. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty headset, charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window. King Street… Read More
MultiCare may be out-of-network starting March 1, 2024
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the MultiCare network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield. Leaders from Regence BlueShield and MultiCare Health Systems are currently in contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends March 1, 2024. Here is what you need to know: Regence recently sent a required notice regarding this potential network disruption to their members who have seen a MultiCare provider in… Read More
Black History Month 2024 Proclamation
Black History Month, established in 1926, is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States. The 2024 Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts” and King County Executive Dow Constantine’s proclamation calls on all residents to actively engage in events, discussions, and reflections that honor the immense contributions of African Americans to our community and our nation. Read the full proclamation below.
Learning & Development: 2023 accomplishments and what’s new for 2024
This past year the Learning & Development (L&D) team in the Department of Human Resources worked hard to continue building out the portfolio of educational opportunities to serve the different needs, interests, and goals of the King County workforce. Over the course of 2023 the L&D team hosted 53 workshops with a total of 1,864 attendees. In addition to spending a large portion of the year facilitating workshops, two new workshops were launched (Leading for Well-being, Building High Trust Cultures), as well as a beta of the new Leader Learning Labs, and… Read More
Shared learning towards a racially just King County
In 2023, more than 70% of King County employees took the We Are Racially Just training, a wonderful achievement for a course that was only launched in August. At King County, we aim to reach our True North – to create a welcoming community where every person can thrive. To achieve this, we must be racially just and actively work toward dismantling racist systems, practices, and approaches. The training is one of the ways King County has worked toward this goal. We are racially just is a core value of King County… Read More
Make your nominations for Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards
The nomination period for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards is now open through Feb. 16. The annual awards, formerly known as the Performance Excellence Awards, honor Executive Branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity. There are three award categories: Any King County employee can nominate a team or individual for an Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award. You may review the nomination criteria here. We look forward to seeing your nominations and celebrating the many great achievements from 2023.
Stay informed in inclement weather
Getting timely, accurate information in an emergency or inclement weather event is critical. Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information on how you are affected, at work and at home: Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite. HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from… Read More
Get to know the Walking Bus program
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times. In this pilot phase, 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 and Yesler Way. The meeting location for both routes is the Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the courthouse. Get more information on routes and departure times. View… Read More
Stories and information for King County employees: DHR’s top stories and videos of 2023
Storytelling is a powerful way to share knowledge, transcend differences, and connect people. The Department of Human Resources (DHR) county-wide Employee Newsletter is bursting with content about employee benefits and accomplishments, learning and advancement opportunities, public health and community services, and other important news that helps employees stay informed. In 2023, in addition to sharing important internal announcements and news, we also told stories about what makes up King County – you. These stories included how the Employee Giving Program allows us to support multiple causes and be better together, how County… Read More
Preparing for extreme weather with the Roads Maintenance crew
Snow and ice are common in Western Washington during the winter months and the King County Roads Maintenance Section of Local Services has been busily getting ready and preparing for the extreme winter weather season. This fall, the Roads Maintenance Section conducted its annual Snow and Ice Day. Maintenance employees in work units located across the county gathered for a day of training, equipment testing, and team building. The day consisted of training sessions on the proper techniques for attaching and operating plows, guidance on selecting chains and effective installation, proper anti-icer… Read More
Save 100% on specialty medications with PrudentRx
As announced during Open Enrollment, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, CVS Caremark will offer the PrudentRx specialty drug copay program to employees and their covered family members enrolled in a Regence BlueShield medical plan (King Care PPO or KingCare Select). PrudentRx participants pay nothing out-of-pocket for their eligible specialty drugs. Employees and covered family members who use a specialty medication that’s covered under the program should have received a letter through the U.S. mail from PrudentRx in early December. The letter contains information about the program and provides instructions to help you enroll. Please be… Read More
Facility tour looks at ways to enhance safety and security
Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams joined a group of employees and labor representatives on a tour of the King County Courthouse and its surroundings to review ideas for improving access to the courthouse while maintaining security at the building. The tour, led by Facilities Management Division Deputy Director of Operations Drew Zimmerman, was part of efforts to create safe, more welcoming environments around King County facilities in downtown Seattle and across the county. The group discussed options for improving access to the Courthouse after hours, especially in the darker, winter months, improving… Read More
Deputies’ actions come to the aid of a mother and children in need
The work at King County is guided by our True North and values. We do this to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our values define the way we act, what’s important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another. King county employees not only embody these values in their day-to-day work but when their efforts directly create a positive impact on community members, it merits acknowledgment. On the night of November 3rd, Deputy Clark “Trey” Matthews, Deputy Seth Grant, and Sergeant Hiram Grijalva responded… Read More
King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Inappropriate Conduct Policy
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer At King County our work is guided by our True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – and our values. Our True North and values represent what is important to us as an organization, what we stand for, and the way we act. The way we treat one another and the way we expect to be treated are critical in building a workplace culture based on respect, belonging, and inclusivity. There is no room for any type of harassment or discrimination… Read More
2024 MLK calendars available to order
The 2024 MLK Jr. calendar, designed by artist Rey Daoed, is now available for King County employees to order. We have developed a more streamlined process for the distribution of the annual calendars. All orders will need to be submitted via the order form by Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Listed below are the guidelines for submitting orders: Artist Bio: Rey Daoed is diagnosed with autism and apraxia of speech. Typing, handwriting, and text-to-speech apps are his preferred method of communication. Rey began painting in 2015, and the medium soon became an important… Read More
RSVP now: 2024 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration
Updated Dec. 28, 2023, with RSVP information. King County employees are invited to join in honoring human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual celebration on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The theme for the celebration is “Passing the torch and continuing the journey,” along with the guiding quote “The task is not done. The journey is not complete. We can and we must do more.” – Martin Luther King III. There will be artistic performances from Jeffrey Lewis, Jamaar Smiley, Brohamm, and Massive Monkees. The keynote… Read More
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