Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
King County is transitioning all employee workstations to the new Windows 11 operating system. Designed to enhance productivity, Windows 11 offers a brighter, more user-friendly interface engineered to help you get more done. All business software will function the same, but the new start menu and desktop layout keeps your frequently used applications front and center. KCIT will roll out Windows 11 through 2024 as laptops are replaced, repaired, or issued to new employees. Please do not upgrade your workstation yourself. Read more about Windows 11.
Cybersecurity Training is an important safeguard that protects King County systems, and the number of employees who complete training each year impacts our insurance rates. When your training is assigned, you will receive an email from kc-knowbe4@kingcounty.gov with a direct link to your required training modules. If you can’t find the email, check your Junk folder or login with your work email here. All employees must complete annual Cybersecurity Training by Dec. 31, 2022 unless your agency has specified a different deadline. Thank you for doing your part to protect King County! Read more.
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s Office Weekly Newsletter Local TV personality and host of Community Conversations, Tony Ventrella, recently met with Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall for an episode of Community Conversations, produced by King County TV. Their discussion covered a variety of topics including recruiting efforts by the department, community engagement, and collaboration with local organizations. Watch the entire episode below.
Focusing on four priority pillars of work first introduced in his 2022 State of the County address, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined the King County Council today to deliver his 2023 – 2024 biennial Proposed Budget. The $15.8 billion budget will make major investments in the Executive’s priority areas focused on battling the climate crisis and restoring our environment, ensuring every person has a home, ensuring a community where every person is safe, and uprooting racism and racial disparities. Read more.
The new season of the Seattle Symphony is underway and King County employees are offered special discounts. Go to the Seattle Symphony website and use promo code BACH23 for 15% off tckets.Tchaikovsky Pathétique Symphony – Performance features pianist Jan Lisiecki conducted by Ludovic Morlot and includes Grieg’s Piano Concerto. Gabriella Smith’s Tidalwave Kitchen rounds out the program. Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 at noon Saturday, Sept 24 at 8 p.m. Dvořák Semphony No. 7 – Jonathon Heyward returns to conduct and cellist Nocolas Altstaedt performs the Seattle Symphony premiere of Esa-Pekka Saloonen’s otherworldly Cello Concerto. Thursday, Sept. 29… Read More
For Suicide Prevention Awareness month, we are highlighting a King County employee who has made a huge impact in advancing the conversation around suicide. Wellness Hero Skyler Bridges from Department of Assessments talks about his experience losing loved ones to suicide, how he began healing, and why it’s important to talk openly about the struggles he’s encountered. Read more.
At King County, we are building a workplace culture based on mutual trust, respect, and inclusivity, one where we value one another for who we are and what we bring to our work. There is no room for any type of harassment or discrimination in this culture. King County’s Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy clearly sets out the conduct and behaviors that are prohibited at King County. As a member of our organization, you have a defined role in the policy to prevent, report, and act on behavior that is not in line… Read More
Starting Sept. 21, the Microsoft Teams desktop app will include a new emergency location field that automatically detects the physical location of employees who are logged on to the King County network onsite at any King County facility. The emergency location field will automatically update when an employee brings their laptop to a different floor, or to a different King County facility. This new feature allows 911 emergency services to locate callers faster and more efficiently. For employees working offsite or remotely (not in County facilities), the emergency location field will not automatically detect or… Read More
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, Sept. 29 will be your 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.
Updated Sept. 22, 2022 As more employees return to downtown workspaces, additional patrols by King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies around the downtown civic campus are making the area a more welcoming space for employees and community members. Sheriff’s deputies are providing regular patrols on foot and bicycle between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The three priorities for these patrols are: In addition to public safety, these deputies and sergeants have also helped people who are returning downtown for work and visiting with things like directions to local businesses… Read More
In recognition of the historical, cultural, and economic contributions of the Latinx and Hispanic residents of King County, and the firm commitment by the administration to addressing critical issues for the the Latinx and Hispanic community in the county, Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed September 15 through October 15 as Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. Read the full proclamation below.
By Travis Gershaneck, Veteran Fellow, Department of Human Resources The first application period for the Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship Program is quickly approaching. The first period opens on Jan. 9, 2023, but it is recommended to have information for your application materials prepared well ahead of time. The completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP) is not required to apply for this scholarship, but it is strongly recommended. The IDP is a roadmap that you create to identify your career goals, how to achieve them and how you will apply… Read More
KCIT and Amazon are now piloting an exciting new automated chatbot option that lets you quickly and easily manage your IT Helpdesk tickets – without waiting to speak with a live technician. Watch this 5-minute video to see how Executive Branch employees can ask the chatbot to check the status of their open tickets, close a ticket, request a priority escalation, add a note for the technician, or transfer to a live agent. The chatbot will even answer frequently asked questions! The new chatbot is now available to serve you 24 hours a… Read More
King County employees are invited to join the Seattle Thunderbirds as they open their defense of the Western Conference Championship at the Accesso ShoWare Center, in Kent. King County employees receive a $30 ticket for only $20, plus a small service fee. Purchase discounted tickets here. Enter the discount password: county. For more information, contact Cory Howerton at 253-856-6844. See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and it’s a reminder for all of us of the importance of checking in on each other and seeking support in times of crisis. This year, the new 988 number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline went into effect. Too many people are experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic only increased the mental health challenges we face. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That… Read More
Cross-posted from Metro Matters King County Metro recently announced Robert Dargan as the 2022 Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year. He began his career with King County in May 1999 as Transit Mechanic and has been providing excellent service at King County Metro in this position. Dargan was surprised with the honor at a ceremony at Metro’s East Base by King County Executive Dow Constantine, Metro General Manager Terry White, and Vehicle Maintenance leadership staff. Read more.
Benefits Open Enrollment is Nov. 1-15 and it’s important that you review and update your personal information in PeopleSoft to ensure you receive announcements. You can also update your emergency contact information, receive important updates, and select the email address where you prefer to receive information. Got to ess.kingcounty.gov and select Personal Details to make sure all items are up to date. For login help, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357.
National Recovery Month celebrates all those on a recovery journey and spreads a message of hope to people, families, and communities. At King County Department of Community and Human Services, particularly the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, our shared vision is to ensure that everyone in King County has a path to achieving and sustaining recovery to live full and healthy lives. Read more.
Michigan State is rolling into Husky Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m. and King County employees are eligible for discounted tickets. Click here to save $20 on tickets on the Upper Sideline, and get as close as possible to the action with East Endzone tickets going for just $75. The University of Washington is grateful for all you do and is happy to offer exclusive discounts to those working in our local government. Check out other deals as the Huskies still have Stanford, Arizona, and Colorado on the schedule this season…. Read More
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Awareness month, Balanced You talks with Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselors about how to support loved ones, and the importance of destigmatizing the conversation around suicide and mental health. To learn more about supporting others and yourself in times of crisis, watch these short videos with EAP counselors Tierra Lovelace and Evie Lewis-McNeil.