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King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
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News
First heavy-duty mechanics graduate from Fleet apprenticeship program
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Fleet Services management, colleagues and guests gathered on March 3 to celebrate Tina Taylor, Michael Domiquel, and Mason Keselburg for their successful completion of a two-year apprenticeship program. The Apprenticeship Program was designed to solve several problems. First, there is a nation-wide shortage of heavy-duty mechanics, a problem forecast to only get worse as more people retire each year than join the trade. The program is designed to grow the workforce from within to provide an ongoing source of qualified mechanics. The program also allows apprentices to become… Read More
Pilot program offers new ways to turn plastics into new products
A Seattle-King County pilot project will increase the recycling of plastic wraps and bags – known as film packaging – and convert it into new plastic packaging and products, creating a true closed loop system. On Global Recycling Day, there’s a new way for people in Seattle and King County to keep more plastics out of the landfill and recycle them into new products instead. A new pilot program offers a convenient place to drop off plastic wraps, plastic bags, and plastics bubble wrap and mailers, which are not currently accepted in blue… Read More
King County Parks is the largest park system in the nation to earn Salmon-Safe certification
After a rigorous review by environmental nonprofit Salmon-Safe and its independent science team, King County Parks became the largest park system in the country to earn certification. Read the full announcement and watch a brief video about the certification here.
Looking for back issues of the Employee Newsletter?
Want to reread a story? Need to track down the link to a webinar or important resource? Previous editions of the Employee News going back to 2019 can be found here.
Administrative Professionals Day is April 27
Share your appreciation by recognizing an administrative professional today. Register here to attend the virtual recognition and celebration of administrative professionals on Wednesday, April 27 at noon. Event details will be provided. All King County employees are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.
RSVP today for special Trinity Nightclub livestream of Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide
Tickets are all gone for the April 4 fundraising “Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide,” but you’re invited to attend a special livestream party at Trinity Nightclub to with all proceeds going to the Seattle Refugee Fund. Please RSVP by 5 p.m. today, using this form so that event organizers can prepare to host this special fundraiser. The event is planned for 7 p.m. on Monday, April 4 at Trinity Nightclub at 107 Occidental Ave. S. in Seattle. Your attendance is strictly voluntary, and employees will not be compensated or receive overtime for attending. The concert will also be… Read More
VIDEO: Executive thanks employees for support of Ukraine giving campaign
King County Executive Dow Constantine was at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday evening to see off a load of humanitarian supplies headed to Ukraine to help the people impacted by the Russian invasion. Executive Constantine also recorded a short video message, where he thanked King County employees for their generous support of the special Employee Giving Program for the Ukrainian people. Watch the video below.
King County celebrates Women in Technology Day, March 26
In recognition of Women’s History Month, King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued a proclamation celebrating Women In Technology Day on March 26, 2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 25% of jobs in the tech industry are held by women – this is the lowest percentage of women in technology since before 1980. Hispanic and African American women are the most under-represented groups, making up only 4% of the computing workforce, and almost no senior leadership roles.
Sheriff Officers retiring after 30-plus years of service
submitted by Chief Shawn Ledford, King County Sheriff’s Office King County will soon lose almost 100 years of combined law enforcement experience when three Sheriff’s Office commanders begin their respective retirements. Major Pat Butschli, Captain Noel Fryberger, and Captain Lance Dauber will be hanging up their shields on April 1. Members of the Sheriff’s Office, current and retired, as well as family, recently attended a celebration in their honor at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. All have over 30 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office and served in a variety of leadership… Read More
April 4 concert for people of Ukraine and all refugees
King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and more than 30 mayors from across King County are sponsoring a fundraising “Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide” with the Seattle Symphony and local Ukrainian performers. The “Mayors’ Concert for Ukraine and Refugees Worldwide” will be at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall on Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. The fundraising concert is free to the public but requires registration for tickets here. The concert will be live streamed via local NBC affiliate KING-TV’s digital platforms, and broadcast live on KONG-TV (channel 16 serving the Seattle and Tacoma area), the Seattle Channel, and Seattle Symphony… Read More
Booster shot drop-ins and same day appointments are available
Are you ready to get your COVID-19 booster? Employees and their families have many convenient options. Drop-ins for booster shots are welcome at the Auburn Outlet Mall, Eastgate, and Kent Public Health clinics and partner sites throughout the county, and same day appointments are also available. You can find a clinic or pharmacy near you by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine or the Washington Vaccine Locator at https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov. All COVID-19 vaccinations are free of charge and all King County vaccination partnership sites are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible and open to the public. The County also allows… Read More
Last days to have your say in the 2022 Employee Survey
There are only four days left to join the more than 6,700 employees who have had their say in the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey and help make King County work better for you. The survey — which can be taken on your work computer or a mobile device — runs through Friday, March 25, so please take 15 minutes to have your say. The survey can be done during work time. Your responses are 100% anonymous and cannot be traced back to you. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Amharic and Somali…. Read More
New movie shows off the ‘reel’ Seattle thanks to county support
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express HBO’s new Steven Soderbergh film, KIMI, showcases Seattle in a way few films do, with Zoë Kravitz running around the city as tech worker Angela. While most movies featuring Seattle are produced elsewhere, the outdoor scenes in the film were actually shot in the city, One of the pivotal scenes in the movie was filmed outside the King County Administration Building last May. Read how the Facilities Management Division employees helped make it all possible.
Latinx Affinity Group survey
The King County Latinx Affinity Group Leadership Team developed a short survey to better understand the needs of King County Latinx employees. Survey results will help define Latinx Affinity Group priorities and activities. King County employees who identify as Latinx, or of Latin American origin or descent, are encouraged to complete the survey by 5 p.m. on March 28. Responses are anonymous and the survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Click here to begin the survey. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Melissa Aguilar at MariaS@kingcounty.gov.
Preparing your pet for post-pandemic life
Cross-posted from Tails from RASKC Pets are a big part of many peoples’ lives. While some families have had cats or dogs for years, others took advantage of the extended time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic to adopt a new furry friend. However, as pandemic restrictions ease and more people return to work and other activities outside the home, the newfound time alone can be stressful for our pets. Here are a few tips adapted from the American Veterinary Medical Association and Dr. Patricia B. McConnell, a certified animal behaviorist, to help ease the transition… Read More
2022 Employee survey participation continues to grow
The 2022 Employee Survey, open until Friday, March 25, continues to gain responses, with some divisions already over 50 percent. View the participation rates data here on the survey website to find out how your department is doing. The survey is a great opportunity to let County leaders what is going well and where we need to improve. Remember that changes happen from your suggestions. The survey — which can be taken on your work computer or a mobile device — will take no more than 15 minutes and can be done during work time. Your responses are… Read More
Seattle Symphony 2022-2023 season discounts available
King County employees can receive 15 percent off most Seattle Symphony concerts this upcoming season by using discount code OVATION22. March 17 at 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 8 p.m: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 March 20 at 4 p.m: Celebrate Asia March 31, April 2 and 3: Mahler Symphony No. 6 Your promo code will give you 15 percent off these concerts. To order tickets visit www.seattlesymphony.org and enter the promo code OVATION22 prior to selecting seats, order by phone at 206-215-4747 or 1-866-833-4747 and give the operator the promo code or purchase tickets in person at the Benaroya… Read More
Employees should apply now for monthly parking through August
Monthly parking via payroll deduction will be subsidized at 50% for the months of April through August in both downtown garages. Employees who wish to participate will need to submit a parking application (found on this page) to fmdpo@kingcounty.gov. There is a spot on the Parking Application form to list a department POETA. Normally this line is only used for agency-paid parking, but it will need to be filled out on all applications for subsidized parking. Check with your supervisor or manager to get the POETA for your workgroup. Those who have already… Read More
“Dream big. Never stop trying and learning.”
by Manny Apostol, King County Sheriff’s Office Patti Cole-Tindall, interim King County Sheriff, recently spoke to the graduating class of TRAC, which stands for Trades Related Apprenticeship Coaching. This program is a 16-week state-registered pre-apprentice opportunity that prepares incarcerated women for entry into an apprenticeship with the building trades industry. Students shared heartfelt stories of their struggles and inspirations during the virtual graduation. One recent graduate told the audience as to why the program was so important to her: “If you want something you’ve never had before, you need to do something… Read More
Updated mask requirements for employees now in effect
New mask requirements for Executive branch employees came into effect March 12, with masks now optional for most employees with some important exceptions. Masks are now optional in all settings, including public-facing spaces, except on public transportation and in congregate settings and health care facilities, such as detention facilities and public health clinics, where masks will continue to be required. Employees who work in the following settings are still required to wear face masks due to the nature of their work and to comply with state and federal guidelines: Public transportation Correctional facilities Health… Read More
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