Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
Our first 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. A number of actions and programs have already been implemented, including regular patrols by Sheriff’s deputies and Facilities Management Division (FMD) security officers, increasing the number of security personnel onsite, and daily trash and general clean-up on weekdays. The county is also producing a series of safety videos with tips for staying safe and other related information. Check… Read More
Open Enrollment starts Nov. 1: Please remember that PeopleSoft now uses Single Sign On (SSO) and is the same login as your King County username/password. Reset your password here. To access PeopleSoft, employees must also verify their identity using a separate device such as a cell phone. See KCIT’s new Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) page for more information. If your department allows digital MFA fobs, please have it with you when logging into PeopleSoft. To order a new fob, submit a Helpdesk Ticket (please allow 5 to10 days processing time). For assistance with your password or MFA verification, call the IT… Read More
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year we are focusing on importance of early detection—testing for cancer before it spreads. Detecting breast cancer early allows for the best possibility of successful treatment. Read the three steps to early detection.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and KCIT is taking a behind-the-scenes look at how our technology experts are improving accessibility for King County employees and residents. There are many ways you can support our King County colleagues and residents of all abilities. For example, using the accessibility settings in King County’s enterprise communication tools such as Microsoft Windows, Office 365, and Teams can enable everyone to easily collaborate. Visit KCIT’s new site that provides accessibility recommendations, organized by disability type: vision, hearing, neurodiversity, learning, mobility, and mental health.
This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate Dr. Darcie Little Badger. Indigenous futurist Little Badger identifies as a queer, asexual Apache woman, and her book Elatsoe features an asexual Apache teen protagonist. Learn more about Little Badger and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
The General election is just around the corner and King County Elections is looking for volunteers to help close ballot drop boxes on election night, Nov. 8. 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, Nov. 8 and Elections is looking for volunteers from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sign up and join… Read More
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green A unique piece of 19th century Native American history purchased at a garage sale half a century ago has been returned to its rightful owners, thanks to work by the King County Historic Preservation Program. Lane Corry, a Preston resident who long ago bought the rusted old rifle at a garage sale, recently contacted Historic Preservation Program archaeologist Phil LeTourneau because Lane wasn’t sure what to do with the artifact. Read more.
Cross-posted from Metro Matters From Oct. 9 to 12, King County Metro hosted transit leaders from across North America for TRANSform, the annual conference of the American Public Transportation Association. A record-breaking number of people — more than 3,100 — attended the four-day event. In addition to meetings and speeches, guests toured Metro’s battery-electric test charging station, our bus and light rail connections in the U District, the King County Water Taxi, bus stop murals in the Central District celebrating Black history and our innovative on-demand service in south King County. Read more and watch… Read More
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to slow its spread brought a number of social, economic and overall health impacts for communities throughout King County. Public Health – Seattle & King County, in partnership with the Disability Empowerment Center and Lifelong Aging And Disabilities Services, interviewed and listened to local people from disability communities to shed light on how these impacts were experienced by people living with disabilities in King County. Read more.
During the Annual Giving Drive, selecting a charitable organization can sometimes seems like a daunting task because there are so many important causes that need support. To help you choose, the King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) put together a list below of some of the many charitable organizations that support those with disabilities. The Annual Giving Drive runs through Friday, Nov. 18. Not all disabilities are outwardly apparent. Many people with disabilities perform their jobs successfully alongside you every day. KCDEN’s purpose is to support those employees who self-identify as a… Read More
Find out about new benefit options for 2023 Most employees have three new important benefit options to consider for next year. Use the following information and resources to help you make decisions for you and your family during Open Enrollment, Nov. 1–15. To see all of the changes for your employee benefit group, go to: 2023 Benefit Changes. Supplemental Life changes If you are in the Regular or the Transit ATU 587 Full-time Full-benefits group, you have the following options for supplemental life insurance. Note: Supplemental Life is in addition to the… Read More
From the King County Sheriff’s newsletter On October 10 and 11, the Marine Rescue Dive Unit (MRDU) conducted extensive search and dive operations in support of Major Crimes (MCU). A vehicle belonging to a missing female was located in the Five Mile Lake parking lot and keys for the vehicle were located on a foot path leading to the lake. Several personal items were found in the car. The potential was likely the missing female may be found in or near the lake. MRDU, MCU, and King County Search and Rescue (KCSAR) conducted… Read More
King County Roads Services Division, Department of Local Services, is partnering with Discovery Health to host a COVID-19 booster clinic for all employees and their family members ages 12 and older. Appointments to receive the vaccine are strongly recommended. The updated Pfizer booster will be available for those 12 and older and the updated Moderna booster will be available for those 18 and older. View a flyer for the clinic here. Capacity at the Oct. 28 clinic is limited, so registration for an appointment is strongly encouraged. Please register below: Oct. 28… Read More
As part of the 2022 Annual Giving Drive, we are highlighting nonprofits whose work supports social and economic justice. These and hundreds of nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. You can go online or use a paper form by Friday, Nov. 18, to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits by: For more information, contact your Employee Giving Program Ambassador, visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov, call 206-263-9372, or attend an online Nonprofit Expo.
Cross-posted from Metro Matters King County Metro’s Ride Pingo to Transit, an on-demand service in Kent, is receiving national acclaim as winner of the Innovation Solutions Award. Presented by trade industry publication METRO Magazine, the honor recognizes the success of the app-based service in providing connections to job centers for residents, especially those working nightshifts and swing shifts. Read more.
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a new agreement regarding the future of City Hall Park that will result in the City retaining ownership and developing a plan to safely activate the park and fountain area in Prefontaine Park. The new agreement will include the City of Seattle increasing activation, security, and a visible presence in the park following an expected vote by the City Council to pass the mayor’s proposed budget, which includes $2.8 million dedicated to the park. The City and County previously agreed to… Read More
Meet Wellness Hero Junelle Kroontje, manager of the Employee Giving Program. In this video she talks about the Annual Giving Drive and ways we can make an impact in our community by giving to causes we are passionate about. King County employees can donate their time or money as part of the Annual Giving Drive from now until Nov. 18, 2022. Read more here, and watch the interview below.
Benefit changes for 2023: Learn about new options before Open Enrollment Take the time to review your benefit choices—including some new options—before Open Enrollment, Nov. 1–15. Several benefit changes become effective in 2023, including the following: New dental plan choice If you are in the Regular or Transit ATU 587 employee benefit group, you have a second dental plan choice. With the Cigna Dental HMO plan, you choose a network dentist who manages your overall dental care. This plan has no deductible and no annual maximum benefit, which means there is no… Read More
In 2020, the disability community reached out to King County, pointing out areas where the County was falling short in equitably serving people with disabilities: ADA compliance, accessibility, communications, disability equity in programs, and inclusive employment. In response to the community feedback, the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) staff developed a Disability Equity Action Plan in partnership with disability community members and advocacy groups such as the Disability Empowerment Center (formerly Alliance of People with Disabilities), The ARC of King County, The NW ADA Center, and the King County Disability… Read More
Smoke from wildfires is affecting some areas in King County today and tomorrow. While the forecast has smoke decreasing later this week, air quality may change frequently throughout the day, and may be different from location to location. Check airnow.gov and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for updates. King County departments are implementing standard operating procedures and providing safety guidance for employees who are working outside in smoky conditions. This includes limiting outdoor work and issuing masks. DES Fleet Stores has ample supply of N95 masks for employees. Section Managers and Division… Read More