National conference selects King County as site of annual conference, spotlights Zero Youth Detention
Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation hosts a national conference for the over 300 jurisdictions in 40 states that have signed on to implement its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This year, the conference was hosted in King County, from October 16-18, in part to showcase the work of King County’s Zero Youth Detention and essential community partnerships. Read more.
|
Trailhead Direct ridership increased 75 percent in its second full season
Ridership on Trailhead Direct – a transit-to-trails service co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks – increased 75 percent during the second year of a two-year pilot project. The improved service design made it possible for hikers to board any of the four routes and get to any trail in the Trailhead Direct network. Read more in the official press release.
|
Five questions with John Miller, Organizational Development Practitioner, Department of Human Resources
Why did you start in your role with King County?
My King County journey started more than 21 years ago in central finance, shifted to permitting, then to Lead Analyst on the Business Resource Center – Business Intelligence (BI) Team. Most recently, I joined (on Special Duty) the Department of Human Resources – Career and Culture Division’s Organizational Development Team. Throughout my career I have been steadfast in maturing as an Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Practitioner. I started here in King County because of my passion to serve. Read more.
|
Reasonable accommodations in King County Superior Court
This story is part of our series celebrating Disability Awareness Month.
Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right; however, for individuals with a sensory, mental, or physical disability, this access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system. Read more.
|
At DPD, a new unit helps people reclaim their lives
For years, Detric Johnson felt as though there was nothing he could do to erase the mistakes of his past. He faced more than $10,000 in legal financial obligations (LFOs), a crippling burden. He had felonies on his record, most of them 25 years old. Without a driver’s license, he couldn’t land a job. “My life was in a shambles,” he said. Read more.
|
EGP Nonprofit Expo now offering online option
The Employee Giving Program (EGP) hosts multiple expos for employees to meet amazing nonprofits and get to know the work they are doing in the community. This year the EGP offers an online option, every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. via Skype. Here employees can meet nonprofits in an online webinar and learn about a specific topic each week. View the upcoming schedule below, and click on the link to download a calendar invite to Outlook with Skype access information. Read more.
|
That’s a wrap on 2019 flu shots
Every fall, King County’s Balanced You program provides
worksite flu shot clinics for employees. In response to employee feedback, we expanded this year’s program by adding late afternoon clinic times, four new worksites, and more staff to better reach employees. Over the course of six weeks, we traveled to Woodinville, Auburn, Maple Valley and several worksites in between, serving more than 3,800 employees. Read more.
|
2019 Annual Giving Drive: Spotlight on nonprofits supporting Natural Disaster Relief Efforts
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program started Oct. 7, and almost 1,200 nonprofits are taking part this year. Throughout this year’s drive, we’ll be featuring four nonprofits in different categories. This week, we’re highlighting nonprofits that support communities that are impacted by natural disasters and focus on relief efforts. Read more.
|
Food drive underway
The 2019 Northwest Harvest Food Drive has begun and runs through Nov. 22. Collection boxes are being distributed to King County buildings.
Feel free to get creative and hold competitions to encourage donations! If a box gets full and you would like a replacement, please contact Angela Strong of the Facilities Management Division of the Department of Executive Services.
|
Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 15
Don’t miss your opportunity to evaluate your benefit choices and make changes. If you haven’t already done so, make sure the right benefit options are in place for you and your family next year.
See what’s changing next year. Review the Benefit Access Fee associated with your medical plan if you cover a spouse or domestic partner. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment. Consider enrolling in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income, but you must enroll each year.
In-person assistance with Open Enrollment will be available at Transit Bases, and in the Chinook Building. Read more.
DNRP Division Day in the Enchanted Habitat, Nov. 1
Join the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) for their annual Division Day expo on Friday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. in the 8th Floor Conference Room at King Street Center.
Come and see what your DNRP colleagues are doing to protect and enhance King County’s environment and advance our “We are responsible stewards” value. Read more.
|
Join the Executive Department at the Harvest Festival, Nov. 8
The Executive Department Senior Leadership Team is excited to invite you to the Employee Giving Program Harvest Festival. This seasonal event will feature treats, a photo booth, nonprofits, and pets available for adoption. There will also be a drawing with prizes! Suggested donation at the door, with proceeds going to select organizations and the EGP general fund. All employees are welcome to attend.
Friday, Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Chinook Building, Rooms 124, 126 & the Executive Conference Room, 401 Fifth Ave, Seattle WA 98104.
|
Rev Up For Retirement seminar on Nov. 13
Are you too young to think about retirement? Think again! With increasing concern over the future of Social Security and the stability of retirement plans, it’s a good idea to stay informed and to prepare in advance. Please join the King County Retirement team for a three-hour seminar featuring guest speakers from Social Security and Jean Cormier, an expert in Medicare choices and options. Employee resources available through King County will also be shared.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., King Street Center, 8th Floor Conference Room, 201 S. Jackson St. Registration is required. Register here. Read more.
|
A change in county email quarantining
Microsoft has changed the daily quarantine notification message to make it easier for email users to review possibly suspicious emails quarantined over the last 24 hours. This adds an extra layer of protection by allowing King County employees to preview messages online without releasing them to their inbox. Read more.
Discount for 2019 WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo and Sesame Street Live!
King County employees can now receive 10% off full-price tickets for WildLights, from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5, and see wild animals and wild places recreated in over 800,000 sparkling energy-efficient LED lights. Adult tickets are $15.26 (regularly $16.95), children tickets are $11.66 (regularly $12.95), and toddlers are free. Buy tickets at this link.
Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic is at the acesso Showare Center in Kent, WA, Dec. 11-12, 2019. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-248-8740, option 1. For questions call the number or email FeldDirectGroups@feldinc.com. Savings will be applied at time of purchase. Order tickets before the deadline on Friday, December 6, 3029 at 11 a.m.
Microsoft to shut off "ToDo" application
In preparation for a change that Microsoft is making to King County’s Office 365 setup, the “ToDo” application will no longer be supported or available for use. Access to this application is scheduled to be turned off on Nov. 6. If you use ToDo, you can recreate your ToDo tasks in Outlook as Outlook Tasks prior to Nov. 6. For help, please contact the Helpdesk by submitting a HelpDesk ticket or calling 206-263-HELP.
Pet of the Week: Sadie
Need a warm snuggle buddy for the coming chilly winter nights? Check out Sadie, our Pet of the Week!
This genteel older lady loves to stop and smell the roses! Sadie has a lot of pep in her step and loves going for long walks… sniffing here, there, and everywhere! Afterwards, Sadie just wants to hang out and cuddle, and she thoroughly enjoys neck scratches. Read more.
|
Featured Job: Assistant Archivist
Salary: $22.41 - $28.40 Hourly
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DES - Executive Services
Closing: 11/6/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
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.
|
