Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee,
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation.
We have come a long way since this landmark event, yet many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives.
Here in King County we are dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive community.
This Sunday I will march alongside hundreds of our King County colleagues, family, and friends in the Seattle Pride Parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights, and you are invited to join us. And this Thursday at 1 p.m. on the Administration Building Plaza, I will raise the Pride Flag over the Administration Building. If you are at lunch or on a break, you are welcome to join me. Read more.
|
Congratulations 2019 Bridge Fellowship graduates
More than 100 leaders, colleagues, family, and friends celebrated the 27 employees who graduated from the 20-week Bridge Fellowship, King County’s intensive professional development program, at a ceremony in downtown Seattle.
King County Executive Dow Constantine gave the keynote address at the June 24 ceremony, speaking about the importance of providing genuine opportunities for employee development and advancement, and how the Executive Branch True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – is connected to this focus.
“With the Bridge Fellowship, we are developing employees, helping them thrive at work and in their careers, so they are in the best position to lead the work of Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive,” Executive Constantine said. “I am confident that as these employees continue through their King County careers, they will lead and serve King County with integrity and respect as we move closer to our True North, because of what they learned and contributed through the Bridge Fellowship Program.” Read more.
Eric Stark's first day back
We rode along with Eric Stark on his first day back operating a King County Metro bus on June 11, 2019. Welcome back, Eric!
Eric Stark was greeted with the community’s love and support as he returned to driving a King County Metro bus after surviving gunfire and protecting his passengers during a shooting incident in Seattle on March 27, 2019.
Graduate shares her experience with Bridge Fellowship
Ladna Farah graduated from King County’s Bridge Fellowship program on June 24, and gave a heartfelt speech about her experience in the program, her aspirations, and what she learn from it.
Good Afternoon! My name is Ladna Farah.
Thank you all for being here today. I would like to share my thoughts and discoveries about the topics: Fear and Leadership, to share how the King County Bridge Program has contributed to my personal development and to thank the King County Bridge Fellowship Program for awakening my leadership potential and aspirations.
There is a two-part adage about fear; I will share the first half of that adage with you now and the second half near the conclusion of my speech.
Fear! F. E. A. R. Fear Everything And Run!!!!!
Even as far back as a nine-year old immigrant schoolgirl, I have had a nearly paralyzing fear of public speaking. Echoes of that fear even continued through my restless sleep last night. Yet, I have the desire to be a leader who provides positive influence and impacts change for the good of our society but I have not allowed myself to be noticed. Read more.
|
Why is it important to work for an LGBTQ-inclusive employer?
King County is dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive place - and that includes being a welcoming, inclusive place to work. As we prepare to celebrate Pride this weekend, you're invited to watch and hear from your colleagues who are members of the LGBTQ community about being part of our 15,000-person team. We strive toward equity and inclusion every day, and our message to everyone is clear: you belong here.
Are you listening? The Untold Story Project offers hope and healing as employees share their untold stories of racism and visions of a more equitable future
Kelly Westhelle, Wastewater Treatment Division
The Untold Story Project is launching its 2019-2020 program. Employees of color are encouraged to submit their untold or unheard stories of racism or vision for a more equitable future here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/untold-story by August 30, 2019. All submitted Untold Stories will be posted at www.untoldstoryproject.blog. Stay tuned for an announcement on performance dates later this year.
I believe storytelling is foundational to the human experience. Stories bridge time across generations, and bridge space by linking different communities and cultures. Stories teach us about life, the world around us, the people around us, and ourselves.
I also believe that with diversity comes resilience, and that all people deserve an equitable chance at success and happiness. Before the Untold Story Project, when I thought about my community—both in workplace, and in my personal life—and the inequities that exist locally and in the country at large, I was quickly humbled. I had a lot to learn about everyone I live, learn, and coexist among. I wasn’t sure where or how to start, but when I heard about the ESJ Literary Arts Program’s Untold Story Project, a door opened. Read more.
Pictured: Employees present at the Untold Story Project performance at Wing Luke Museum in Seattle on November 13, 2018.
|
WTD celebrates Women in Trades 40th anniversary
The annual Washington Women in Trades (WWIT) Fair marked its 40th anniversary this year. The half-day event, held in May, showcased exhibits, demonstrations, contests, education and job opportunities for women interested in pursuing careers in the trades.
King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) representatives hosted an interactive exhibit and contest. Wastewater operators rallied attendees to compete in a wastewater pipe-cutting race. Members of WTD Resource Recovery team handed out samples of GroCo compost, recycled water, and presented a biogas demonstration. WTD Human Resources staff were on had to explain King County job opportunities, internships and the WTD Operator in Training Program. Read more.
|
Passport Day a resounding success
Congratulations to everyone involved in the recent “Passport Day” at the Black River Community Service Center in Renton. The Recorder’s Office held the event on Saturday, June 1, to accommodate residents who might not otherwise be able to apply for a U.S. passport in person during standard weekday hours.
“It exceeded our expectations,” said Norm Alberg, director of the Records and Licensing Services Division (RALS). “Staff were busy all day and people were very happy.” Read more.
|
King County debuts app to report noxious weeds
King County residents concerned about noxious weeds have a new gardening tool to turn to when it comes to eliminating invasive species — a mobile app that makes it easier to identify and report the precise location of such plants.
With technical assistance from Microsoft and Slalom Consulting, the new app called King County Connect eliminates a complicated reporting process in which the public was previously required to take a photo of a suspected noxious weed, match it through their own image search, submit a report on the King County website and estimate the location of where the photo was taken.
|
City Hall Park lunch options
Food trucks will be available at City Hall Park on the south side of the King County Courthouse from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. several days a week, selling barbeque, cheesesteaks, burgers, sandwiches, or Native cuisine, with some offering vegetarian, vegan, paleo, and gluten-free options. Click here for a complete schedule and menus of food trucks at City Hall Park. For more information visit www.seattlefoodtruck.com. Read more.
|
All King County farmers markets are now open for the season!
With more than 40 farmers markets spread across King County you are never far from farm fresh, local food. All of the King County farmers markets are now open for the summer season.
When you purchase food at farmers markets you know exactly where your food comes from and how it was grown. By supporting farmers markets, you are supporting a sustainable regional food system that helps small family farms stay in business; protects land from development; and provides all of us with fresh, delicious, local food.
King County farmers markets offer a variety of local produce and artisan foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, cheeses, milk, jams and jellies, wines and sauces, breads, seafood, and plants and flowers.
Read more about farmers market fun facts, how you can find the closest farmers market to you, and market tips and tricks to help you prepare for your next visit! Read more.
|
Training Spotlight
SharePoint 101, multiple dates: Basic user training explains SharePoint and how it’s used at King County and best practices. All students login, navigate and get hands on experience adding, editing, removing, restoring and sharing documents with classmates. Lists are also covered in the training and users become familiar with adding content to a list and working with Metadata. Post training support is offered by the instructor and students are provided links to class documentation (handouts) and FAQs. Register and learn more.
Pet of the week: Lil Mama
Hi, my name is Lil Mama! I came to the shelter with my cat friend on 6/1/19. My personality color is GREEN. I am an adaptable dog who loves to go with the flow! I am outgoing and carefree, and I just can't wait to find my forever home! I am an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home! My caregivers have noticed that I seem to do well with other dogs. When meeting dogs in a new home, I would do best with a slow introduction. Ask to meet me today! For more information, please reference Animal ID Number A586017 and call 206-296-3936.
|
Featured Job: Fiscal Specialist IV
Salary: $27.90 - $35.50 Hourly
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DHR - Human Resources
Closing: 7/7/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
The Finance Section of the Department of Human Resources' (DHR) Director's Office is seeking an action oriented leader and doer with strong interpersonal skills who is technically savvy with a sharp eye toward accuracy and detail in a fast paced organization. If you have an eye for "outside of the box" thinking, optimization, and a desire to serve your community, you're who we're looking for! The Finance Section is responsible for financial reporting, budget, fiscal, payroll, assets management, and internal control oversight. DHR's finance team provides financial management over the Human Resources general fund appropriation, the Employee Benefits Fund, and the Safety and Claims Fund.
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.
|
