Celebrating your service during Public Service Recognition Week
King County Executive Dow Constantine used Public Service Recognition Week to thank King County employees and all public servants for the amazing work they do.
This week we celebrate your work and the work of every public servant during Public Service Recognition Week, May 5 – 11, 2019.
We all come to public service from different places, with unique perspectives and diverse skills, but the one thing we share is a desire to serve our community and make things better for the people who live here today, and for those who will follow.
In my 2019 State of the County address, I spoke about the vision that drives me to do the work that I am so passionate about, my “True North”: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Read more.
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King County Metro, Sound Transit reach agreement to continue integrated rail operations and maintenance through 2023
King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Member Dow Constantine announced that King County Metro and Sound Transit reached an agreement to continue operating and maintaining the Link light rail system for the next four-and-a-half years, and potentially up to 10 years. The agreement was sent to the King County Council and Sound Transit Board’s Executive Committee this week for consideration.
King County Metro has operated and maintained Sound Transit Link light rail since it launched in 2009. If approved, the new agreement will continue the dependable service to the region through Dec. 31, 2023, and potentially through December 2029.
“Integrating Metro and Sound Transit operations is a key priority for me, and this agreement continues the strong partnership between both agencies to serve the region with reliable rail service for years to come. As both Link light rail and bus ridership increase, we are meeting demand and making sure service is as seamless as possible,” said Executive Constantine. Read more in the official press release.
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New Senior Leadership Team video featuring Casey Sixkiller, Chief Operating Officer
We’ve been featuring the members of Executive Constantine’s Senior Leadership Team in a new video series, and the latest video with Casey Sixkiller, Chief Operating Officer, is now available.
In this video we spotlight Casey, what he does in his role, and what brought him to King County.
Click the image below to watch the video. You can also watch the previous videos featuring Chief Performance Officer Gary Kurihara, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, and Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget Dwight Dively, or see all the videos on this webpage. Look for the remaining videos over the next couple of months!
Chief Family Court Judge Tanya Thorp: Family Court is some of the most important work we do
If you ask Judge Tanya Thorp what she wishes everyone knew about Family Court, she's quick to answer: we have so many services available. And when 76% of the cases arrive with no or only one attorney, that's really important. Learn more about Family Court in this nine-minute podcast. Listen now.
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50 Years of Home Rule Governance: The Archives Celebrates the King County Charter and the First Council
Fifty years ago on May 1, the first King County Council and County Executive were sworn in under the Home Rule Charter. The current Council recently celebrated the golden anniversary with historic images from the Archives collection. Below: read the Charter and follow along with the first swearing-in ceremony on May 1, 1969, through the transcript and photographs taken on that day. Read more.
You can also watch this video below, by King County TV, to learn about the golden anniversary of Home Rule Governance and to see how things have changed.
Join King County at the 40th Annual Washington Women in Trades Fair, May 10
Join King County Facilities Management Division, Department of Natural Resources & Parks, Department of Transportation and others at the Seattle Center for the 39th Annual Washington Women in Trades Fair this Friday, May 10, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Learn more about the fair at the Washington Women in Trades website.
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Say hello to a whole new way to get healthy
King County is now offering Omada®, a digital lifestyle change program that inspires healthy habits that last—to all employees on a King County medical plan. Omada can help you lose weight, feel fantastic, and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.
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An interactive program to guide your journey
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A wireless smart scale to monitor your progress
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Weekly online lessons to empower you
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A professional Omada health coach to keep you on track
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Small online groups of participants to keep you engaged
You and your adult family members who are enrolled in a King County medical plan can receive the program at no cost if at risk for type 2 diabetes and/or heart disease. Take Omada’s quick health screener to see if you’re eligible.
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Don’t be a victim of laptop theft
There’s been an increase in the number of King County laptops stolen from employee vehicles in the past few months. When valuable items, such as laptops, are left unattended in vehicles, employees risk damage to their personal vehicles and loss of personal items in addition to the loss of King County laptops and mobile devices.
Things you can do to avoid becoming a victim:
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Plan to carry your laptop with you every time you leave your car unattended, even if you will only be gone a few minutes.
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Do not leave laptops, mobile devices and other valuables unattended in your car, ever.
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Do not leave valuables in the trunk, or attempt to hide them within the car.
Comments from recent victims of King County laptop theft:
“I was away from my car for less than 5 minutes.” “It was broad day light.” “I was only gone for a few minutes, I parked in a parking ramp at the store.” “I thought it would be safe in the trunk.” “My car window was smashed. Not only do I have to deal with the repair, but it is impossible to clean up all of the glass.”
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Check out what's new at City Hall Park
The weather looks great this week to enjoy lunch outside or a short walk to pick up some delicious barbeque. This spring and summer, you can get lunch from a food truck at City Hall Park on the south side of the King County Courthouse.Trucks will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. several days a week, including Odin Star burgers and sandwiches today, and LT's Famous BBQ Thursday and Friday.
Haven’t been to City Hall Park lately? Check out the new colorful Adirondack chairs and music from the "Busker of the Day." Depending on the day, a food truck will offer barbeque, cheesesteaks, burgers, sandwiches, or Native cuisine. Some offer vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free options. For a complete schedule and menus, go to www.seattlefoodtruck.com and enter "Pioneer Square" in the location tab. Read more.
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Did you know you had this benefit? Home Free Guarantee
All King County employees who commute to work via bus, rail, streetcar, carpool, vanpool, or walking are eligible for eight free taxi rides home each year in cases of personal emergency or unexpected requests to work overtime. Learn more here.
Training Spotlight
King County Mentoring Program (Lunch & Learn), June 6 and multiple dates: Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. If the thought excites you, join King County’s mentoring program by signing up for one of our monthly Lunch-n-Learns to uncover more about mentoring and search for a Mentor! Register and learn more.
Tech Tip: Securing your data
How to access the training:
To start your Cyber Security Awareness Training please login at:
Your account for Securing the Human:
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Username: King County email address
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Password: King County email password
For more information about Cyber Security please visit our Sharepoint site:
Pet of the Week: Lorna
Can you find room in your home and your heart for Lorna, our Pet of the Week?
This young orange tabby is a very sweet girl. However, she is a bit under-socialized and needs some patience and love. So, we’re calling her one of our “Bashful Blue” personality pets. Read more.
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Featured Job: Assistant Division Director - Community Toxics, Science, and Policy
Salary: $109,454.00 - $138,740.00 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DPH - Public Health
The Environmental Health Services Division of Public Health Seattle and King County is seeking applicants from diverse backgrounds who are representative of our King County population, to apply for the position of Assistant Division Director for Community Toxics, Science, and Policy.
This leadership position reports directly to the Director of the Environmental Health Services Division and works in tandem with the Deputy Director of Operations to assist the Environmental Health Services Division Director in establishing leadership within the Division. The Assistant Division Director is also responsible for overseeing the Community Toxics, Solid Waste, Rodents and Zoonotics, Local Hazardous Waste Management, Healthy Community Planning, and Indoor Air Quality programs. The Assistant Division Director will act on behalf of the Director in the Director's absence and represent the Environmental Health Services Division in regional matters. This may include facilitation of regional discussions, attendance at regional meetings, and development of regional policy.
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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