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News
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
New Mindfulness schedule for spring 2023
Balanced You continues to partner with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. Browse through the new spring 2023 mindfulness schedule to see new topics and register for a class. All classes are held live on Zoom. Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus, and reduce some of the stress many of us experience. We have classes available for all employees that will teach techniques such as mindful movement, mindful relationships, and more.
Safety tip: Safe Commute Options
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. King County offers employees a variety of Safe Commute Options to help you arrive to your destination with confidence. The Walkpool, Walking Bus, and Vanpool programs provided by the Employee Transportation Program are available for your benefit. Check out the Safe Commute Options video to learn more. Remember, in the case of an emergency call 9-1-1. To report a non-emergency… Read More
Shout outs: Sharing stories about King County employees, programs, and events
All across King County things are happening – exciting things. Incredible things. Things that might surprise you. Sometimes a person or a program deserves broader recognition, and you may be just the person to provide that shout out. At Employee News, we want to highlight the great work that employees are doing across departments, branches, and agencies. If you have an idea for an employee, team, or program that should be highlighted, we want to hear from you! Email kcemployees@kingcounty.gov and share some details with us, including the program or employee/s, and a person… Read More
“It took a village”
Sheriff Cole-Tindall recently completed a 19-week re-certification at the Washington State Police Academy. From Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall Attending the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) was nothing less than a journey, and I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. To our personnel at the range, the track, and Basic Training Unit: it was remarkable to see you in your element. You are true professionals, and your dedication to the essential work you do is inspiring. I also want to thank the command staff, Undersheriff Jesse Anderson, and Kim Johnson… Read More
Still looking for a 2023 calendar?
The 2023 Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Calendar is still available for download. The 2023 calendar features the artwork First Family by Grace A. Washington, and the quote “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You can download copies to print or display on your phone or computer. For more information and links to the calendar, click here.
KC employees can help residents preserve their Apple Health insurance
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Thousands of King County residents who have health insurance through Apple Health risk losing coverage in coming months. Public Health—Seattle & King County and its partners in the community are leading an effort to help them take action in time. Beginning this spring, many clients will need to verify that they’re still eligible for Apple Health. The good news: There are options for people to keep health insurance coverage – if they act in time. Learn more and download the flyer here.
Serving healthcare with dignity to those serving time
From the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group Lio Saephanh, Nursing Supervisor with King County Jail Health Services, came to the U.S. as a child after spending a year in a refugee camp. She is Mien, an ethnic minority in Southeast Asia and the second largest Hill Tribal group in northern Laos and Thailand, after the Hmong people. Lio has provided direct health services in King County for the past 33 years. In her role, she supervises teams of dedicated nurses providing critical health care and making sure scheduled services are fully… Read More
Metro wins WTS ‘Innovative Transportation Solution’ award
Cross-posted from Metro Matters King County Metro was recently recognized by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS for the adoption and roll out of the Free Youth Transit Pass program, which is supported by funding from the state’s Move Washington legislation. “This program and policy change represents a fantastic investment in our riders of the future and we are honored to receive the award,” said Ina Percival, Metro Supervisor for Market and Business Development. “It was a fantastic team effort and included all of our regional transit partners.” Read more.
Hypothermia, help, and hoisting: All in a day’s work
From the Sheriff’s Newsletter On March 15, the King County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and the Air Support Unit flew a rescue mission to Snow Lake, northwest of the Alpental Ski Area. The reported person in distress was vomiting, dehydrated, could not walk out on their own, and was a member of a 10-person back country ski group. As crewmembers gathered at the hangar in Renton, the necessary snow gear was loaded into the rescue helicopter and the crew briefed on the mission at hand. The rescue crew launched and reached… Read More
StormFest 2023 seeking volunteers
StormFest is an outdoor learning event with sixth and seventh grade Highline School District students using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and stormwater lessons for hands-on learning. At this outdoor event, students learn about their local watershed, sources of pollution, and engineering solutions to prevent stormwater pollution. Volunteers gain experience in best practices for environmental education and interacting with students from a variety of cultures. Bilingual station educators and interpreters will be paid stipends. Eligible employees can use leave for volunteer hours. Applications close on May 8. Check out this past… Read More
March 30 is the third payday of the month
All King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month; however, March 30 will be the third payday of the month. The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks. For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
PeopleSoft outage Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m
To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available starting on Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be back online by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 27. During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. This outage impacts all PeopleSoft users. Your understanding and support is appreciated.
King County Sheriff’s Deputy awards athletes in Special Olympics Winter Games
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s Newsletter Deputy Dylan Centanino-Sweers recently attended the Special Olympics Washington Winter Games in Wenatchee. He was joined by officers from other local jurisdictions. The Sheriff’s Office stated, “We were honored that Deputy Centanino-Sweers was chosen to award athletes who placed in their respective sports. As a former Renton Special Olympics track and field coach, he has continued to work closely with the organization.” Read more.
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