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Metro will adjust schedules on Sept. 2 to improve trip reliability
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro will increase reliability and build resiliency with its fall update to transit schedules. The agency currently is delivering 95% of more than 11,200 daily bus trips while facing challenges with canceled trips. The changes beginning in September will ensure riders can have confidence knowing that Metro will be there no matter where they need to go. To ensure transit services are in sync with fleet availability and its workforce, Metro will focus upcoming revisions on 20 low-ridership routes, and 92% of boardings will not be… Read More
Award-winning communications: DNRP brought home national awards in four categories
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) is excited to announce that we received awards in four categories from the National Association of Government Communicators, the most prestigious awards in our industry. The Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards were announced during this year’s national conference hosted on April 19 in Portland. Working Without a Net We received first place in the Working Without a Net category for a hosting a dual livestream aboard our research vessel, SoundGuardian, as scientists measured the underwater noise of Puget Sound that… Read More
King County takes part in Women in Trades Fair
Several King County departments participated in last Friday’s Women in Trades Fair at Seattle Center. Hear from two Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) employees – operators Alyssa Moreno and Kylie Turner – about their experiences in their jobs and working at WTD. Follow King County on LinkedIn for news about fellow employees, job opportunities, county initiatives, and more.
Congratulations to the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County who bring a Best-Run Government approach to their work, and have made exceptional contributions in performance, leadership, and innovation. In a series of videos, several King County leaders, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, announced the recipients of the eight Performance Excellence Awards: five innovation awards – people, cost, service, sustainability, and equity and social justice – and three leadership awards – for people leaders, individual contributors, and the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence… Read More
Exciting employee discounts available this summer
King County employees can take advantage of many exclusive discounts this summer. These include stays at Great Wolf Lodge, visits to Woodland Park Zoo, home buying classes and information, gym memberships, different mobile phone plans, and more. To view all available employee discounts, visit www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
Mental health resources: Employee Assistance Program
For Mental Health Month, Balanced You is highlighting mental health resources to help employees in times of need. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free and confidential county resource that provides county employees with counseling and coaching around work related concerns and problems, including: Workplace stress Coaching and consulting Conflict with co-workers Supervisor support Opportunities and changes in the workplace EAP is for employees only. To make an appointment with an EAP counselor, call 206-263-8733, or email HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov. An EAP counselor will respond to you within 24 hours.
Second Professional Development Scholarship application period now open
The second and final application period for the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is now open. This period will remain open May 8 – June 4, 2023, to pay for training that will begin anytime between July 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Awardees for this second period will be notified via email no later than July 21, 2023. For more information and to see dates for the 2024 program year, go to the Professional Development Scholarship website, watch the Employee Information Session video or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov. The scholarship is part of the County’s commitment to Investing… Read More
The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration ends May 11, 2023. What does this mean for you?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider When the COVID-19 pandemic first began here in the US, the federal government put in place special emergency declarations that allowed them to rapidly respond to the spread of COVID-19 as well as addressing financial barriers to COVID-19-related care. On May 11, 2023, the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration ends, which means there will be changes to how some people receive COVID-19-related care, like testing, treatment, and vaccines. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not over The expiration of the emergency declaration does not mean that the pandemic is over… Read More
Warren Kagarise named Social Media Professional of the Year
Warren Kagarise, digital engagement manager, was recently named Social Media Professional of the Year by Government Social Media. Warren, a member of KCIT’s Design and Civic Engagement Team since 2017, works with King County departments and agencies to improve social media strategy, policies, and content, and enhance digital engagement through email, text messages, and other tools. The Social Media Professional of the Year award honors a social media professional in government who is known in the space for their work, while being committed to supporting and teaching fellow communicators. Warren accepted the… Read More
Executive proclaims May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day
In recognition of their contributions to the communities and families they serve in King County, the region, and the country, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day. “King County recognizes that the child care workforce has been a lifeline for families, communities, and the economy and as such, has taken steps to prioritize equitable access for families and increased workforce wages through its Best Starts for Kids initiative, and child care health and safety through Public Health’s Child Care Health Program,” Executive Constantine said in the… Read More
Hot weather is on the way
Hotter than normal weather is forecast for our region. Here are some tips from Public Health – Seattle & King County to help you manage the heat: Get more tips and advice on Public Health – Seattle & King County’s hot weather webpage.
Executive proclaims Public Service Recognition Week
In celebration of the work county employees perform every day to making a King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 7-13, 2023 as Public Service Recognition Week. “King County residents are served every single day by the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, city, and Tribal government employees – unsung heroes who do the work that keep our County and our country working,” said the Executive. View the full proclamation here, and read the read the Executive’s employee message… Read More
Celebrating you and your work during Public Service Recognition Week
Dear fellow King County employee, This week we celebrate your work and the work of every public servant in King County during Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 – 13, 2023. Your work for the people of King County matters tremendously. Public service creates positive change in our communities, even when it’s behind-the-scenes. The work you do makes a difference in the lives of so many of our residents. Public service is as wide-ranging and varied as the places we’re from and the paths we’ve traveled. But we are all united by a desire to make… Read More
New PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors Course in NEOGOV Learn
The PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors on-demand course is now available on NEOGOV Learn. This course introduces managers and supervisors to the Manager Self Service module in PeopleSoft. With your NEOGOV account, you can take this course anytime and anywhere. In this course, you will learn how King County managers and supervisors use Manager Self Service. This learning experience covers four main modules: Basic PeopleSoft navigation Commonly used Manager Self Service tiles The time approval process (complete with an interactive software simulation) Helpful tips and resources For managers, supervisors, or those aspiring… Read More
Free crisis hotline available
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, any other kind of emotional distress. Non-English Speakers can call 988 and simply say the name of your preferred language to be connected to an interpreter. People who are hearing impaired can use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Mental health screening
May is Mental Health Month and it’s a good time to learn about some of the tools, programs, and resources available to support you or your loved ones. One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening. Go to Mental Health America for a free screening.
Grab the hiking boots, leave the car! Trailhead Direct returns May 13
King County’s Trailhead Direct, the weekends and holidays transit-to-trails service, will begin its fifth season on Saturday, May 13, and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Metro and King County Parks, with the support of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Amazon, are working together to provide funding for the 2023 season. This summer, Trailhead Direct continues to focus the transit-to-trails service on the most popular route with stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si. Riders can take the bus, Sound Transit Link light rail, or bike… Read More
‘People need us out there’ Metro Ambassadors engage and inform
Crossposted from Metro Matters You might see “‘blue jackets” at transit centers, outside schools or on your way to a game at Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park. The people wearing the jackets are Metro Ambassadors and they are there to answer your questions, point you in the right direction and may even have some swag for you. “I see this as a way to get comfort back,” said ambassador Royce Williams. “To make people comfortable about riding the bus again.” Read more.
Recognizing DAJD staff during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week
Please join us in acknowledging National Correctional Officers and Employees Week from May 7 to 13. This is a special opportunity to honor the Corrections Officers, Juvenile Detention Officers, and staff in other varied positions at King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). These professionals are responsible for operating safe, secure, and humane detention facilities and community corrections programs. National Correctional Officers Week started in 1984. In 1996, Congress officially modified it to “National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.” DAJD’s employees often encounter people at the worst time in their… Read More
Metro retires @kcmetroalerts, but will keep @KingCountyMetro
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro will continue to post on @KingCountyMetro, our general news Twitter account. But we will retire our automated, alerts-only Twitter account @kcmetroalerts after today. The information previously shared through @kcmetroalerts will still be available through other trip planning tools. Read more.
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