King County Affinity Groups provide an opportunity for connection and impact
In July 2019, King County's Executive Branch adopted a policy for employees to participate in Employee Resource Groups during their work time. These Employee Resource Groups, also called Affinity Groups, are led by employee volunteers, and are formed around protected categories set by local and federal anti-discrimination law. Some of the categories included are race, gender, and sexual orientation, among others.
“The groups promote equity and social justice, foster employee engagement, strengthen workplace effectiveness, improve leadership abilities, and enhance personal and professional growth within King County,” said Janine Anzalota, Equity and Civil Rights Manger in the Office of Equity and Social Justice. Read more.
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Five questions with Judge Jim Rogers, Superior Court
Why did you start in your role with King County?
I was elected as a Judge in 2004. I ran because I was interested in the job through my prior work as a law clerk. I had tried many cases in civil and criminal arenas and I wanted to stay in the courtroom.
What do you do in your role?
My current role is as Presiding Judge, which means I work on the case flow (distribution) of the work of the Court, setting policies and overseeing the budget process. As a trial Judge (yes, I still hear cases and trials), I decide disputes. The criminal bar probably thinks of me as a criminal judge, since I was Chief Criminal Judge, but most of my work in the last five years has been in civil disputes (money, property) and family law cases. Read more.
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Apply to the 2020 Balanced You Worksite Fund
How do YOU want to be healthy and well at work? The 2020 Balanced You Worksite Fund is an opportunity to help you and your co-workers bring your own creative ideas and solutions to creating a work-place that feels healthy and supportive .
During 2019, the Worksite Fund supported 43 projects designed by and for employees across King County. Projects included a certified therapy dog to help employees reduce stress, self-defense classes to help employees feel safer, physical activity equipment and yoga classes to help employees move more, cooking demonstrations that celebrated employees’ cultures and built team, and updates to kitchens and quiet rooms.
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Security update: Downtown area around the King County Courthouse
Seattle Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 on Third Avenue near the King County Courthouse in which two people suffered non-life threatening injuries. The incident, which occurred after regular working hours, did not involve any King County employees.
Our first priority is your safety and security at work. King County continues to work closely with other local jurisdictions, including the Seattle Police Department, to improve security in the downtown area around the King County Courthouse. Some recent steps:
- King County Security, King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police Department have increased their presence in the courthouse vicinity.
- Metro Transit moved the southbound bus stop in front of The Morrison, across from the courthouse, one block north.
- The City of Seattle added festival lighting in the trees in Jefferson Alley, south of the courthouse and in City Hall Park.
- The City’s Navigation Team continues to focus on removing encampments obstructing right of ways.
You can take an active role in your safety. Read more.
Census awareness campaign underway
Every ten years, the federal government counts every person living in the U.S. through a national census.
The results help determine how funding is distributed for the next decade — for things like our schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation. The count also determines how many representatives our state will have in Congress, and how district lines are drawn for legislative bodies like the King County Council. Read more.
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Join us at the King County School-to-Work Transition Fair 2020
These two great events are coming up soon and we need your help to promote them. Our goal is to reach more parents, students and teachers to join us at the fair. Even if you are not involved in this community per se, check out the fair–it truly is special! The first fair will be held at the Microsoft Commons on Thursday, February 27, and the second at Highline College on Saturday, March 14.
We’re also happy to feature this super write-up on the transition fairs which was originally posted for King County staff to learn more about this great opportunity for families in our county. Enjoy! Read more.
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Coronavirus response update, February 26
As we continue to respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Public Health is committed to providing up-to-date information to King County employees. Below you’ll find links to our most recent blog post, an update on the current risk in King County, travel recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and an anti-stigma social media tool kit recently developed by Public Health. Read more.
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Keeping our workspaces safe
We are all responsible for the security of our workspaces, so please be aware of others when you are using your King County ID card to access County buildings or closed office spaces.
Key card access is designed to allow access only to individuals who have been assigned to a designated space. A recent theft of a bicycle from a secured area in the Chinook building highlights this issue. Read more.
Employee discount for Hausera
King County employees will receive a 5% discount on kitchen faucets, bar faucets, and bathroom sink faucets from Hausera. Enter coupon code HAUS2020P at checkout. Not valid on shipping and handling charges. Not valid on prior purchases. Offer may not be combined on any other purchases, offers, discounts, or coupons. Single use only.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.
Pet of the Week: Hemlock
A hale and hearty hello to Hemlock, our Pet of the Week! This handsome boy was brought in by a good Samaritan in mid-December. Hemi, as he’s also known, is the sweetest old man you’ll ever meet. He is a huge cuddle bug who drools when he’s happy. Hemlock purrs almost on contact and will rub his face all over you. At 12 years young, Hemlock still loves to play, especially with teasers and chase toys! He is sweet and gentle, and non-reactive to other cats, but he does get a bit confused when you pick him up though. Read more.
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Featured Job: Climate and Energy Project Manager
Salary: $77,840.67 - $98,667.50 Annually
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment
Division: Director’s Office
Closing: 3/9/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
KC Headlines
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