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Have you taken the 2019 Employee Survey?
The 2019 Employee Survey is now underway and you should have already received your unique link from kcemployeesurvey@us.confirmit.com yesterday. If you did not receive the survey invitation link, please check your junk folder. If you have checked your junk folder and still have not received the survey invitation, please contact your survey representative.
The survey runs through Friday, March 29 (March 22 for Metro paper surveys), so please take 15 minutes to have your say. This year, employees in all branches and departments of King County are eligible for the employee survey, except employees in Superior Court, District Court, and the Sheriff’s Office, employees who are short term temporary (STT), and employees who have not worked at the county for at least 6 months prior to the survey period. For 2019, employees must have started before September 11, 2018 to be eligible.
Watch the video below to here from some County leaders on why participating in the survey is important and how they will act on the results. For more information about the 2019 Employee Survey visit www.kingcounty.gov/employeesurvey.
King County wins organizational leadership award for government performance and continuous improvement
The Center for Accountability and Performance, affiliated with the American Society for Public Administration, awarded King County the CAP Organizational Leadership Award for 2019.
The annual CAP Organizational Leadership Award recognizes outstanding management strategies that result in a culture change, sustained improvements, and demonstrated positive effects on government performance and accountability.
"This award is a tribute to the thousands of King County employees who embrace continuous improvement every day," said Executive Constantine. "We are creating a culture of excellence and innovation that will endure and enable us to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our region, now and into the future."
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Celebrating Women’s History Month
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed the month of March Women’s History Month in King County, and encouraged all residents to participate in events to commemorate and honor women and their contributions to our community and nation.
“Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of King County, the state of Washington, our nation, and the global community,” Executive Constantine said in the Proclamation. “Women are making history every day and will continue to do so in ways that will change our County and our country for the better.”
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Stev Weidlich: Mining data to address policy issues at DPD
Remember story problems from high school math -- those vexing questions about the arrival times of trains or the number of apples a shopkeeper has to sell to break even? Some of us hated them. Stev Weidlich loved them.
And today, he’s putting that puzzle-solving mind of his to good use. Stev is the research and data analyst at the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD), where he ferrets out the answers to tricky questions every day. How many DUIs did one of the divisions handle at the Maleng Regional Justice Center? How often is Rape 3 the initial charge? What percentage of our cases involved the work of an investigator?
“It never feels like work to me,” he said. “I guess it’s one of my boring traits. I never get tired of looking at spreadsheets and looking at data and trying to communicate data to people. It’s what I like to do.” Read more.
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Using sick leave to volunteer helps employees make a difference in our community
“When you ask most people what they want to do when they retire, they will often say two things – travel and volunteer more,” said Junelle Kroontje, King County Employee Giving Program Manager (KCEGP). “During an employee’s work life, making time for volunteering can be difficult. By allowing our employees to use up to three days of sick leave to volunteer at a King County Employee Giving Program nonprofit or at a local school, it frees them up to do it today – instead of waiting for retirement.“
The volunteer program allows all employees covered by the Master Labor Agreement with the King County Coalition of Unions, other collective bargaining units that have ratified this option, and all non-represented employees to use up to three days of sick leave per year for volunteer service.
“Nonprofits are really excited about this benefit and have some super cool opportunities for our employees to engage in, from long term board service to helping out at specific events,” said Junelle. Read more.
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A leader in secondary trauma provides insights and support to DPD staff
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure, visited the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) last month, where she led a spirited, provocative, and often humorous exploration into the impact of secondary trauma on one's life. The genesis for the training came out of the Secondary Trauma Care Work Group, recently organized by SEIU Local 925, Teamsters Local 117, and DPD. Read more.
Pictured: Laura leading the secondary trauma training at DPD.
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Bus route changes coming March 23 to downtown Seattle
Starting Saturday, March 23, seven bus routes will shift from the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel to surface streets and buses on a total of 15 routes will change bus stop locations on Seattle streets to accommodate the Washington State Convention Center construction and future Link light rail expansion.
To keep buses and riders moving, the City of Seattle is establishing a new transit pathway on Fifth and Sixth Avenues and Metro will establish all-door boarding in the Third Avenue corridor and at stops along Westlake Avenue North.
Metro will also add trips, launch all-door boarding on Third Avenue, and has permanently closed the Metro Customer Service Office in the Westlake Tunnel.
See which routes will be impacted and learn more here.
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Employees welcome to ukulele jam session
Play the ukulele? Come join other King County enthusiasts every Monday at noon for a lunchtime strumming session! We meet in the Administration Building in Project Space Conference Room 335. Everyone is welcome, even folks with minimal experience. So bring your uke (and a portable music stand, if you have one) and come jam! If you have questions contact organizer Stef Frenzl. Please ensure you are on your lunch break or not working at this time.
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Kudos! Trailhead Direct program featured for improving access to trails
Launched in 2017, the Trailhead Direct program was recently highlighted on the REI store blog, with one writer sharing how the program encourages residents to both drive less and explore the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Reliant on the weather, the program will star back up later this year. Read the full article here.
Kudos to our innovative programs, like Trailhead Director, for helping residents to better access the outdoors and for minimizing traffic!
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Training Spotlight
Emotional Intelligence for Leaders and Emerging Leaders series, April 27-May 11:
Emotional intelligence describes the ability to understand one's own feelings, and that of groups, and how these emotions can influence motivation and behavior. Leaders who are emotionally intelligent foster safe environments, where employees feel comfortable to take calculated risks and to voice their opinions. Engage in interactive, hands-on self-evaluation and exercise to develop your emotional intelligence and become a respected and inspiring leader. Register and learn more.
Communication and Problem-Solving Skills, June 19: This one day training will address communication and problem solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts and with defensive behavior. Register and learn more.
Pet of the Week: Mer
Mer has so much love to give, he just can’t wait to find his forever home! Could it be with you?
Mer is a 3yr old male cat, Brown Tabby, domestic short hair (ID #A579532). This handsome boy is an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. He enjoys having his head scratched, as well as under his chin and behind his ears. He thinks it’s simply divine, and may even lean into the pets and stretch his neck out when you scratch under his chin. Read more.
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Featured Job: Paramedic Intern
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DPH - Public Health
Closing: 3/31/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
King County Emergency Medical Services / Medic One are seeking applicants to enter a 10 to 12 month training program to become certified as King County Paramedics. Paramedic certification is granted upon the successful completion of the University of Washington / Harborview Medical Center / Seattle Fire Department Paramedic Training Program. Paramedic training includes: lectures, medical labs, medical/surgical rounds, emergency room and ICU/CCU experience, and riding on the Seattle Fire Department paramedic units. King County Medic One is a public service organization, a critical link in our regional Emergency Medical Service system, providing high quality advanced patient care. Our Paramedics are trained through the world renowned University of Washington / Harborview Medical Center / Seattle Fire Department Paramedic Training Program. If you have questions about the application process please contact Don Cloyd at (206)263-2203 / don.cloyd@kingcounty.gov or Nic Horea at (206) 263-8736 / nicolae.horea@kingcounty.gov.
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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