Employee News - January 15, 2020

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A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

Highlights

Snow

Thank you for service during difficult conditions

A big "thank you" to all the employees who helped keep King County residents safe and moving during this week’s snowstorms.

Employees from all around this region battled difficult conditions to ensure that residents could continue to access the services they depend on. Thank you for your service!


KCInform

KCInform alert system reaches employees in emergencies 

This week's snowy weather is a perfect reminder for employees to sign up for KCInform, the King County employee emergency alert system. KCinform, powered by CodeRED, allows us to reach you by phone, text, and email with timely information in an emergency or natural disaster. 

If you have not registered your personal phone, personal email, 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.


pet

Saving more lives than ever before 

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC 

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) continues to set the standard when it comes to saving animals’ lives. In 2019, more than 4,100 dogs, cats, and other animals in our care were adopted to new families or returned to their lost owner. Because of this amazing work, we expect to achieve another organizational milestone in 2019, reaching a live release rate for dogs and cats of 95%. This again puts RASKC in rare company for public, open-admission animal shelters in the United States. Read more. 


12th man flag

Employees come together to raise Seahawks flag 

Several employees joined Councilmember Joe McDermott to show their support for the Seattle Seahawks by coming together to raise the 12th Man Flag at the Administration Building plaza last Thursday, Jan. 9 

The wintry weather couldn’t stop King County employees from raising the Seattle Seahawks flag at 12:12 p.m. on a cold, rainy Blue Friday.  Unfortunately the Hawks’ Super Bowl run came to an end on Sunday in Green Bay, but like the 12s, they’ll be back next season. Go Hawks!


Announcements

Reminder: Building wealth for retirement sessions, Jan. 15 and 16 

You and your spouse or significant other are invited to learn more about saving for retirement with the King County Deferred Compensation Plan. Several in-person sessions are available today, Jan. 15, and tomorrow, Jan. 16. 

See details and registration. Other education sessions are offered throughout the year. For more information about Deferred Compensation Plan education—including webinars—go to the Deferred Compensation web page. If you have any questions, please contact KC Deferred Comp.


mlk celebration

2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Jan. 16 

Please join us in honoring our nation’s foremost human rights leader and our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, noon to 1 p.m. at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. 

The theme for our 2020 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is “Yes, we are on the move and no wave of racism can stop us. We are on the move now.” This year’s keynote is by john a. powell, Director, Othering & Belonging Institute, University of California, Berkeley. Read more. 


Celebration follow-up, Jan. 21 

As we will spark reflection and ideas at the MLK Celebration, employees are encouraged to continue the dialogue to deepen our equity, inclusion and belonging discussions and actions in work teams, departments, and communities. One opportunity to participate in facilitated follow-up conversations will be held at the King Street Center 8th floor conference center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. –  1:30 p.m.. All King County employees are welcome. For more information, contact KKibet@kingcounty.gov. 


on the move

On the Move: An MLK Day ESJ Festival, Jan. 30 

Departments all over King County government are working hard to move our county forward, and closer to our Equity and Social Justice goals. Join us at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival to learn how we’re moving forward, and share what you are doing to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The festival will take place Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Chinook Building, Rooms 121/123. For more information, contact BMcConnaughey@kingcounty.gov. 


hands

Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program now providing benefits 

On Jan. 1, 2020, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program began providing workers with paid time off to welcome a new child to their family, care for a sick loved one, or recover from their own serious medical condition. 

Who qualifies? 

To be eligible, you must have worked at least 820 hours for a Washington employer during the previous year. Most King County bargaining units and all non-represented employees are eligible. View the list of participating unions. Read more.


See something, say something 

Our first priority is your safety and security at work. You can take an active role in your safety. The county has produced a variety of communications to help inform employees about safety tips and related updates:  

  • Check out a new short video, below, how to report emergencies and non-urgent security concerns. Watch for additional videos with safety tips throughout the year. 

Read more.

safety tips

rocks

Mindfulness classes open for registration 

Would you like to stress less this year? Give Balanced You’s popular mindfulness classes a try! Balanced You has partnered with Mindfulness Northwest to offer classes at county worksites, online, or in the community. Classes are available to King County employees free-of-charge, subject to availability. The next available class, “Introduction to Mindfulness” will be Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the King County Airport. Registration closes Jan. 15. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information. 


fishbowl

Free Financial Check-Up Webinar for employees  

Making Life Easier offers webinars throughout the year, free-of-charge, to King County employees. Topics include mental health, financial savings, healthy communication, and more. Employees interested in developing healthier finances can tune into Making Life Easier’s next webinar, “Your Financial Check-up,” which will be released Jan. 21. Webinars are available on-demand.  Employees can access webinars via the Making Life Easier portal, username: King County. Contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov for more information.



rudolph

Pet of the Week: Rudolph 

Hi! My name is Rudolph and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by a good Samaritan on Dec. 2, 2019. 

I am a sweet cat who may need extra time and attention to warm up to new situations and new people. When I was a wee little one, I was not taught how nice and friendly people can be, but I am learning quickly! Though I may be timid at first, once you take the time to show me I can trust you I will show you just how wonderful I can be. 

Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. 


Featured Job: Engineer II (Capital Strike Team) 

Salary: $37.75 - $47.86 Hourly 

Location: Seattle, WA 

Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week 

Department: DNRP - Natural Resources & Parks 

Job Number: 2019MK11102 

Division: WLRD -Water & Land Resources 

Closing: 1/23/2020 11:59 PM Pacific 

Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 


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