Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
Executive Constantine recognizes July 26 as Disability Pride Day
In recognition of July 26, 2023 marking the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed July 26, 2023 to be Disability Pride Day. “For more than three decades, the ADA has made our communities, our economy, and our county stronger and more vibrant by affirming and protecting the fundamental rights of people with disabilities – the right to equal opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and accessible and equitable participation in the community,” he says. Read the full proclamation… Read More
Focus on values: We solve problems
Fellow King County employees: As Deputy Chief Operating Officer – and an employee of King County for almost 25 years, much of it in risk management – I am proud of the changes that have taken place in our workplace. We have become more of a learning culture, treating problems as opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. We have also become more comfortable with taking measured risks to better meet the needs of all our residents. These changes are important to consider as we take a closer look at one of our… Read More
Workforce Equity and you: Disability as a protected class
As an employer, King County has a reputation for being a place where all people can succeed and thrive. Diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice are part of our True North for both residents and employees. This means that employees with disabilities, whether visible or not, all have the same rights and resources as employees in other protected classes. The Workforce Equity Team is part of the Director’s Office of the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Workforce Equity provides oversight, guidance, support, and compliance functions that ensure an inclusive and diverse workforce,… Read More
King County runners tackle 200-mile Ragnar
For 30 hours starting the morning of Friday, July 14, 24 runners representing the Assessor, DES, DNRP, FBOD, RALS, KCIT, WLRD, King County Council, DCHS, the Regional Homelessness Authority, DAJD, the Environmental Lab, DHR, and the Executive Office took to the roads in the annual Ragnar Northwest Passage, an approximately 200-mile relay from far north Blaine to Whidbey Island’s Langley. This is the first year King County fielded two full teams in this legendary annual run. Running through the night, the King County Ragnariffics (pictured above) and King County Bureaufasts (pictured below)… Read More
KCSO knocks it out of the park with All-Star event support
Originally published in the King County Sheriff’s Office Newsletter, July 13, 2023 The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) collaborated with an impressive lineup of agencies and organizations to ensure a safe and secure environment throughout the thrilling five-day All-Star Week events. This lineup included the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, Amtrak Police, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Police, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Air… Read More
Tech Tip: Personally Identifiable Information
What is sensitive information? Sensitive information is privileged information which – if compromised through alteration, corruption, loss, misuse, or unauthorized disclosure – could cause serious harm to an individual or organization. You must always give the highest level of protection to privileged information. Here we discuss Personally Identifiable Information, or PII. What is Personally Identifiable Information?For the purpose of data protection, PII is defined as: any instance of an individual’s first name (or first initial) plus the last name, and any one of 29 additional confidential items. An example of these twenty-nine… Read More
Is it time for a vacation?
(Updated July 17, 2023) Sometimes we get so caught up in the demands of our personal and work lives that we forget that our bodies and our minds need a regular break. Vacations help us relax, unwind, and recharge. Taking time off also reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, and fatigue. Vacations also make you feel good and happier with life, while protecting against burnout. Whether we’re able to catch a flight or hit the road,… Read More
Volunteer to close a ballot drop box
The Primary election is just around the corner and King County Elections is looking for volunteers to help close ballot drop boxes on election night, Aug. 1. Under state law, ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day. As a volunteer drop box closer, you will be paired with Elections staff to close a drop box, provide customer service, and hand out I Voted stickers. No experience is necessary! Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 1 and Elections is looking for volunteers from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sign up and join… Read More
King County Green Schools Program recognizes 67 schools, two school districts, and 88 student Green Teams for resource conservation efforts this school year
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green As the 2022-23 school year draws to a close, King County Green Schools Program recognizes 67 schools, two school districts, and 88 student Green Teams for their waste reduction and other resource conservation practices – that’s more than twice the total number of schools as last year. Issaquah School District and Tahoma School District earned recognition as Sustaining Green School Districts for their environmental initiatives in 2022-23. Led by the County’s Solid Waste Division, the Green Schools Program helps King County schools and school districts to start and… Read More
ESJ Strategic Plan Refresh seeking administrative professional support
The Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Strategic Plan Refresh project needs your expertise and is seeking 8-10 administrative professionals to support 3-4 affinity spaces. Overview of tasks include: Creating meeting materials and logistics support Notetaking Scheduling, coordinating, and communicating resources Supporting hybrid meeting spaces Partnering with facilitators to support participants including breakout sessions First meetings will occur from July 31 – August 9, with additional meetings occurring every 3-4 weeks. Onboarding will be provided in late July with regular facilitation planning occurring before each meeting. To join the ESJ Strategic Plan Refresh… Read More
Second Professional Development Scholarship Award Letters and round up
All award letters for the second period of the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement’s Professional Development Scholarship Program have been sent to the scholarship recipients. This second period saw 41 employees receive over $100,000 in scholarship funds. In total, the 2023 program awarded $180,000 of the $225,000 budgeted. Approximately $45,000 will be carried over into the 2024 program year for a total budget of about $270,000. The 2024 scholarship year will open September 6, 2023, and will be for training that starts anytime between January to June 2024. Employees interested in applying for… Read More
Ken Guy receives the 2022 Fred Jarrett Award
FBOD Director Ken Guy has been honored with the Fred Jarrett Award, one of King County Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards which highlights a department or division leader who demonstrates leadership excellence. The Fred Jarrett Award is one of three Leadership Excellence Awards honoring King County leaders who embody the Executive Branch values and drive for results that make King County better for employees and customers, and move King County closer to its True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Ken Guy has served as Director of the Finance… Read More
Kelsey Urban joins Risk Management Services as Deputy Director
Crossposted from the DES Express Kelsey Urban is the new Deputy Director of King County’s Office of Risk Management Services. “I’m confident that she will lead with vulnerability, compassion, collaboration and trust,” said Christine Oh, Director of Risk Management, in an email to leadership. Kelsey comes to King County from the City of Renton, where she led their risk management team for the past five years. She brings 20 years of experience in leadership, including more than ten years of service in the U.S. Navy as an officer and helicopter pilot. Read more.
FMD plays a starring role in new film production studio
Crossposted from the DES Express Actors, directors, producers and others from the film industry converged on the new Harbor Island Studios late last month along with members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of King County’s new film production studio. The studio, a converted flour mill in a hulking 117,000 square-foot warehouse on Harbor Island, was made possible in part by DES’ Facilities Management Division, in partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity & Creative Economy, the Executive’s Film Advisory Board, KCIT, contractors and others. Read more.
BIPOC Mental Health Month: Accessing culturally responsive mental health care
Balanced You recognizes the resiliency and strength within the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We also recognize that one’s background and identities can present unique experiences, specific barriers, and opportunities to accessing mental health support; BIPOC and underrepresented communities face additional barriers including structural racism, access to quality care, and cultural stigmas. As a King County employee, you have access to comprehensive health care coverage, including mental health coverage. We have been working with our providers to reduce barriers to access. Most employees have medical plans through either Kaiser Permanente or… Read More
Administrative Professionals Q2 Recognitions published
Celebrate the great work of the County’s Administrative Professionals and read about their accomplishments in the 2023 Q2 Recognitions. King County Administrative Professionals are a large part of King County government’s workforce and valuable contributors to the success of every department. They support and provide direct services to internal customers and the public. Administrative Professionals may include, but are not limited to, Administrative Specialists, Office Assistants, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Dental and Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and more. To show your appreciation and recognize an Administrative Professional that you’ve worked with, click here.
Eight ducklings rescued from airport storm drain
Crossposted from the DES Express Employees at King County International Airport-Boeing Field recently rescued eight ducklings who had fallen into a shallow storm drain, reuniting all of them safely with their mother. Thanks to Ryan Johnston, Brian Kruml, and Jadyn Saporito for the rescue. It all started with a phone call to Airport Operations from a corporate client that a mother duck and her ducklings were walking around near a storm drain on their ramp, according to Sam Priest, Airport Duty Manager. The tenant was worried that some ducklings may have fallen… Read More
King County first in the nation to order new hybrid fire truck
Crossposted from the DES Express King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is the first airport in the nation to finalize the purchase of a hybrid electric fire engine. The Striker Volterra 6×6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle is made by Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The new rig will complement the airport’s existing diesel-powered firefighting vehicles, also made by Oshkosh, and will allow the airport to retire its oldest diesel fire truck. Read more.
Recognizing 37 years of service of retiring DJA Director Barb Miner
Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) Director Barb Miner is retiring after 37 years with King County. While her last official day is July 21, her last day in the office is Friday, July 14, which King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi and Chief Administrative Officer Linda Ridge have proclaimed “Barb Miner Day.” “Barb’s commitment to excellence and quality have helped shape DJA into the high performing Clerk’s Office it is today,” they said. View the official proclamation here and congratulations Barb! Thank you for your service.
ARFF attend live fire training in Montana
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Newsletter The King County International Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Team recently completely rigorous live fire training. The training was held at the esteemed Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center in Helena, Montana. During this intensive training program, the ARFF team demonstrated their excellent skills by fearlessly combating full-scale aircraft fires. Equipped with their specialized fire trucks, they showcased their proficiency in extinguishing these formidable blazes. However, their training didn’t stop there. The team also engaged in simulated scenarios where they skillfully navigated their way into… Read More
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