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Keeping King County safe and moving during the winter storm
View the video below to see Executive Dow Constantine provide an overview of the actions King County is taking to keep the region safe and moving during the biggest winter storm in years.
This video includes footage of Executive Dow Constantine meeting with King County Metro vehicle maintenance employees, Facilities Maintenance Division employees, and staff at the Emergency Operations Center. He also visited the new Jefferson Day Center, which is operated by the Salvation Army through a contract with King County Department of Community and Human Services.
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King County Metro to restore most bus service as road conditions improve
King County Executive Dow Constantine Tuesday directed Metro to restore most of its bus service and shift operations to snow routes starting Wednesday, Feb. 13. This will allow Metro to switch from operating its core Emergency Snow Network (ESN) and expand to providing service on at least 90 percent of routes across King County. Road conditions will be evaluated as Metro repairs and restores its fleet and ramps back up to full service in the coming days. Read more.
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Executive visits employees helping to keep County agencies open and staffed
Our Facilities Management Division (FMD) employees have been working hard to remove snow and ice from about 40 buildings, ensuring access is safe for community members and staff. These employees have been working eight days straight with 4 a.m. start times to clear paths around our facilities. Their work has kept buildings safe, and dealt with blown tires and rough roads during poor conditions. They have worked collaboratively with leadership and other agencies while staying overnight, away from their families.
To thank them for their continued dedication, King County Executive Dow Constantine stopped by for a visit Monday morning. He spent time with about 15 employees from different positions, including utility workers, inventory control personnel, supervisors and other tradespeople.
He also visited Metro employees, who have been helping people get around the region in difficult conditions, as well as 911 call takers and staff at the Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC) who have been coordinating the County's response to this winter storm.
These rockstar employees are keeping other employees and residents safe, even while exhausted. Thank you to the FMD team, Metro employees and RCECC staff for working hard, with even more snow to come. We appreciate you!
Pictured: Above, King County visits with FMD employees. Below, he visits with Metro employees. See full size photos here.
 
“Snow” getting around it: this storm is one for the record books
According to Seattle Weather Blog, humans had not yet walked on the Moon the last time our area saw so much snow in one month. So far, 20.2 inches of snow has fallen at Sea-Tac Airport, making it the snowiest February on record there. February 2019 will definitely go down as one of the top ten snowiest months ever in our region – where it ultimately ends up on the list depends on how the next 16 days shake out. Read more.
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The time is right to get moving: Check out tools that support your fitness goals
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A just-in-case map gets the call
A little over a year ago, I wrote a post for GIS & You which featured the more than two-dozen map products that we in the King County GIS Center have derived from the King County Metro Transit System master map, a product we redesigned and rebuilt with Metro in 2012. One of those additional maps, first created not long after that new 2012 system map, was a public Emergency Snow Network map. Metro, in coordination with area jurisdictions, including the City of Seattle, has long designated a network of high-ridership bus routes that can use typically plowed streets, and which avoid steep hills, to provide a reduced but core level of service during major snow events. Read more.
KCInform alert system reaches employees in emergencies
The snowy weather is a perfect reminder for employees to sign up for KCInform, the King County employee emergency alert system. This system, powered by CodeRED, allows us to reach you by phone, text, and email with timely information in an emergency or natural disaster.
Your safety is our priority, whether you are at work or home, so having updated personal contact information (work cell phone and home phone, email, and/or cell phone) is critical for reaching you wherever you are.
Many employees previously registered to receive alerts through this system, but if you have not registered your personal contact or work cell information yet, please contact
kcinform@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-3830 (between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday) to request your unique registration link. Watch this short video to learn more or visit the KCInform website.
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Wastewater Treatment Division unit acts on survey results to improve employee morale and workplace satisfaction
How to do you go from low morale, poor work life balance, lack of clarity in communication and no compass in the form of vision, mission and goals to a highly engaged team where members pitch in to balance workload and are focused on a simple, impactful mission? In the Wastewater Treatment Division, the Regulatory Compliance and Land Acquisition Services (RCLAS) Unit used lean tools in their engagement action plan. The results of their efforts won them recognition as a Performance Achievement Award finalist and their story provides a model to follow.
At the end of 2016 RCLAS had a "Fried Chicken Lunch" to do a group self-reflection on how they felt about 2016. The team members agreed that they suffered from poor to average morale. They were confused, overworked, and unhappy. Their internal process partner feedback was not good. The supervisor felt like he was putting out more fires rather than leading people.
RCLAS' engagement scores were 70% for 2015 and 75% for 2016, respectively. The team was looking for at least an 85% engagement score in 2017. In a team discussion, they identified some of the root causes for the low engagement score. Read more.
Training Spotlight
Grammar Refresher, April 10: Confused about grammar and punctuation? This fun, hands-on class will help you master the latest rules, avoid common errors, and write with confidence. We'll cover apostrophes, verb tense, word usage, subject/verb agreement, commas/semicolons, style guides, how to avoid the 10 most common grammar and punctuation mistakes, and more. Class includes plenty of examples and exercises to help you practice your new skills. Register and learn more.
Basic Data Visualization, April 10:Our ability to gather and collect data has steadily increased over the past decade. But data alone is not information and does not easily convey a compelling story. This half-day introductory course will allow participants to understand why data visualization is important, explore ways to tell a story with data, and mock up data visualizations in whiteboard exercises, using tips explored in class.Register and learn more.
Pet of the Week: Zoe
Do you need a furry alarm clock? Our Pet of the Week Zoe is ready for duty!
This younger brown tabby came to us because her previous family had to give her up. They tell us that Zoe is shy, loving, and playful – and lets you know when she’s ready to get her day started! Her personality color is “Bashful Blue,” meaning she is a gentle and loving cat who likes to take things slow. Once she gets to know you though, she will be a very devoted friend! Read more.
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Featured Job: ESJ Strategic Plan Implementation Project Manager
Salary: $76,689.60 - $97,198.40 Annually
Department: EXEC - Executive's Office
Closing: 2/18/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
The Strategic Plan Project Manager will coordinate and provide overall project management and system administration for implementing the 2016-2022 Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, as their primary duty. Additional duties of this position will include supporting yearly implementation of King County's Lift Every Youth Mentorship and Employment Program, developing communication materials, and providing limited administrative support to the Director and the Office as needed. The Strategic Plan Project Manager will be an equity, racial and social justice leader with a passion for inspiring others, representing the Office in broad venues and providing technical assistance. This position reports to the Equity Strategies Manager.
KC Headlines
Interested in sharing a news story, or have a news tip? Click here to submit an item to Employee News. For questions or suggestions, please contact KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.
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