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
Metro Operators of the Month for January and February 2023
Crossposted from Metro Matters When they’re in the driver’s seat, they are the kind, courteous, and helpful smile that greets you. Outside of work, they’re volunteering in the community, cycling and hiking the trails, and sprinting on the soccer pitch and the basketball court. They represent over a century of experience behind the wheel. The operators who drive your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Read more.
Emergency evacuation training available for county-managed building tenants
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express If you work in person at a county site managed by the Facilities Management Division (FMD), even on a part time or hybrid schedule, you now have access to self-paced, online evacuation training. This is a shift from when each floor had “floor wardens” who were trained and assigned to help in emergencies. The change comes as a result of the county’s hybrid work environment. This expanded training ensures that the first capable person to access the floor warden kit during an emergency is able to act as… Read More
MLK Committee volunteers needed
The employee-led MLK Committee is seeking volunteers. The committee shares responsibility for organizing the annual MLK Celebration and designing the MLK Calendar for 2024. There are many opportunities available for those who would like to participate. This includes serving as a Larry Gossett Award ambassador, helping decide speakers and performers, artwork selection for the calendar, and much more. If you are interested, submit your information here by April 24. For questions, reach out to Jasmine Harbor in the Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice.
KCIA hosts first Airport Managers of Puget Sound meeting
Cross-posted from Plane Talk King County International Airport hosted the first quarterly meeting of a new group, Airport Managers of the Puget Sound (AMPS), last month. Representatives from 11 airports around the region attended. “It’s to discuss local issues, concerns and updates,” said Dave Decoteau, deputy director at KCIA, who helped launch the group along with Tim Mensonides of Auburn Municipal Airport and Joshua Marcy of Paine Field. “This month we had a discussion on the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the World Cup upcoming in 2026, the transition to unleaded fuel,… Read More
New Customer Service Center opens to the public April 20
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express King County will open its new Customer Service Center to the public on Thursday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m. The center, located on the second floor of King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St. in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, is designed to be a “one stop shop” for many of the most-requested services offered by King County, including many offered by DES agencies. Read more.
Second Professional Development Scholarship launches May 8
The second and final application period for the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship Program opens May 8 – June 4, 2023. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2022 – 2024 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the revised supplemental questions, rating criteria, and Individual Development Plan, which is highly recommended but not required. Scholarship award recipients who did not receive the full $3,000 from the January/February 2023 period may reapply to receive the remaining… Read More
Griffin Creek flooded but now farms and fish return following completion of innovative project
From Keeping King County Green Heavy rainfall in 2019 and 2021 caused more than just water from Griffin Creek to surge over the banks and fan out across farmer Todd McKittrick’s fields. Sand, gravel, and rock swept across 15 acres of McKittrick’s fertile land along Griffin Creek, rendering the acreage unusable for farming. The torrent also left adult coho salmon returning to the creek’s spawning grounds stranded in a field amidst the debris and grass, with many of the fish dying before they could complete their journey. Projects such as Griffin Creek are… Read More
Retirement resources for Financial Literacy Month
As part of King County’s commitment to employee wellness, Balanced You observes Financial Literacy month. Financial wellness is a key component to overall wellness. This week, we are highlighting retirement resources. Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, but there are classes available that offer the information you need. If you are planning for retirement, consider attending the classes below. Road to Retirement Are you planning to retire in the next six months? If so, join your Retirement Team for this informative two-hour class. We’ll discuss procedures and forms, medical coverage options, and… Read More
Federal Public Health Emergency ends May 11
President’s Biden’s administration has announced that the current federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 will be lifted on May 11, 2023. This means that King County’s obligations under the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) will also end as of that date. Currently the county is prohibited from discharging, replacing, or discriminating against high-risk employees for seeking accommodations or utilizing leave to limit their risk of exposure to Covid-19. Because of the improved conditions in the community which have led to the announcement of the lifting of the state of emergency, as… Read More
Enhance workplace culture and increase equity in King County by participating in Identity-Based Affinity Spaces
King County employees are invited to participate in Identity-Based Affinity Spaces to engage and provide information and ideas on how King County can enhance its workplace culture, increase equity in workforce practices, and ensure inclusion and belonging for all employees. King County is particularly interested in hearing from on-site, customer-facing, and shift employees. Sign up for an Identity-Based Affinity Space by April 21 using the opt-in form. The Identity-Based Affinity Spaces are different from the King County Affinity Groups. They have been created specifically for the refresh project and assure employees they… Read More
Executive proclaims April as Arab American Heritage Month
In recognition of contributions to all aspects of society by Americans of Arab descent and Arab immigrants, including science, business, culture, and social services, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed April 2023 to be Arab American Heritage Month. “I encourage all residents to honor the contribution of Arab Amercians to our county, state, and nation,” the Executive stated. Read the full prolcamation below.
Annual Employee Engagement Survey postponed to 2024
King County will not conduct an Employee Engagement Survey in 2023. The annual survey usually occurs in March of each year. However, due to staffing challenges the survey will not take place this year. Listening to employees and actively addressing their concerns and desired outcomes is key to building a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture, and we will seek other opportunities to engage with employees. The Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan Refresh project and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benefits Review project offers multiple touchpoints for employee perspectives and feedback…. Read More
Guided by community voices, Michael Carter builds King County’s first Green Jobs Program
From Keeping King County Green As King County’s first Green Jobs Program Manager, Michael Carter knew his initial task would be to do a lot of listening. Working out of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director’s Office, Michael was asked to develop a countywide green jobs strategy – and that meant listening to the communities we serve, as well as partner employers and organizations. Read more.
Digging in with natural yard care this spring helps protect people and prevents pollution
From Keeping King County Green Using natural yard care methods in your garden or yard this spring will not only result in vibrant green spaces, but it will also protect people, pets, and wildlife from exposure to harmful chemicals and prevent pollution of local waterways. In King County, people can access free, sustainable garden and yard care information. Read more.
Focus on values: We respect all people
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently relaunched the True North and Executive branch values with a monthly focus on each of the values to help us gain a deeper understanding of them and how we apply them to our work. This month, we are focusing on the value “We respect all people.” It doesn’t matter where we work at the County; it is imperative that we treat every person we work alongside and serve with respect. Respect is the foundation of everything we do, and we need to seek to understand all… Read More
Metro receives national recognition for ‘first of its kind’ battery-bus software
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Foundry’s CIO, a national publication that focuses on the use of technology in business, is recognizing a King County Metro program that is the first of its kind in North America. Software measuring the effectiveness of the infrastructure that powers our battery-electric bus fleet received the CIO 100 award from the publication. Read more.
Relaunching the True North and values that guide our work
Dear fellow King County employee, I am excited to announce that we are relaunching our Executive Branch values and our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our True North captures the heart of our work and is a navigational point. Our values guide our work, our decision-making, and the way we show up for one another and our customers. They define the type of organization we are and strive to be, moving us closer to our True North and our goal of becoming the Best-Run Government:… Read More
Relaunching the True North and values that guide our work
King County Executive Dow Constantine has announced the relaunch of the Executive Branch values and True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. “Our True North captures the heart of our work and is a navigational point,” Executive Constatine said, “Our values guide our work, our decision-making, the way we show up for one another and our customers.” These values define the type of organization King County is and strives to be: Executive Constantine launched the True North and values in 2019 with a monthly learning focus… Read More
Multiple wins in disassembly and recycling collaboration with Weld Works
From DNRP News A productive collaboration between King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) and local staffing organization Weld Works not only resulted in the successful disassembly and recycling of offices and cubes on the sixth floor of King Street Center, it provided jobs and training to a diverse labor pool in need. Weld Works is a non-profit serving the construction, manufacturing, and retail industries with purpose and heart by bringing together companies hiring in construction, clean-up, and general labor with a pool of individuals interested and ready to work… Read More
Seattle Symphony employee discount: Battleship Potemkin
Experience Battleship Potemkin projected on the big screen with a full symphony orchestra performing the accompanying score by Dmitri Shostakovich live to the film. Battleship Potemkin is still considered one of the greatest films of the 20th century. Directed and co-written by Sergei Eisenstein, it presents a dramatization of the mutiny that occurred in 1905 when the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin rebelled against its officers. King County employees are eligible for discounted tickets for this unique event. Enter the passcode SILENT before selecting your seats at check out. Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Satureday, April 22 at 8 p.m…. Read More
About
We tell stories that highlight the work we do to support our residents,
build strong communities, and make our region a great place to live and work.
Our 17,000+ employees work every day to make King County
a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
Share this:
King County, WA LinkedIn
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with all King County professional news.
Employee News 