Employee News - September 24, 2020

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

Update on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget   

Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his 2021-2022 Proposed Budget to the King County Council this week. Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, recorded a short video about the budget for employees, including a brief overview of three important initiatives—anti-racism, Health Through Housing, and the COVID-19 response.  

Council expects to adopt the budget on Nov. 17 after extensive deliberations and public comment. For more information, view the video below. 

budget update

Announcements

Staying ahead of scams, spam, and phishing emails

Here’s what to look for when you receive an email you aren’t sure about:

service alert
  • King County and KCIT use the King County logo and/or the “Service Alert” visual in all communication.
  • Do not ever click on a link inside a suspicious email. If you need to change your password in any system, go directly to the website or system instead of clicking on a link in an Email.
  • If the email seems odd, look for spelling errors and sentences that just don’t sound right.
  • If the email asks you for valuable information like credit card info or bank account transfers take extra time to ensure the email is valid before taking action.
  • Hover over a link in your browser to uncover the real destination, regardless of what the text in the email says it is.
  • Please take care when reviewing quarantined emails especially to ensure they are safe before release.
  • If you aren’t sure, don’t click. Contact the KCIT Helpdesk or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).

Read more.


Virtual Resource Center offers easy online access to dozens of community service providers in King County 

To provide King County residents with ready access to dozens of community service providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, King County District Court is making available a Virtual Resource Center (VRC). Operated as part of the court’s community court program, the VRC is open to anyone in the community to visit via Zoom videoconference or by telephone. Services at the VRC include access to education, work training, substance abuse treatment, transportation discounts, Public Health/the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and many more. 

Prior to COVID-19, King County District Court operated in-person community resource centers in Redmond, Shoreline and Burien. To help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the in-person options have been replaced by the VRC until they are safe to re-open after the pandemic. 

“Having a community resource center with so many vital services available at one time makes a significant difference for the entire community,” said Chief Presiding Judge Susan Mahoney. 

Anyone in the community can access the King County District Court Virtual Resource Center at the following days and times, when service providers are available to assist and answer questions: 

  • Tuesdays, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. 
  • Wednesdays, from 2 – 4 p.m. 

caregiver

Resources for caregivers during COVID-19 

A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Employees who are caregivers for adults and elders are some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic. While caregiving can be joyful and rewarding, it can also be overwhelming or stressful for even the most resilient people. The pandemic, which has increased social isolation and decreased or changed availability of social services, has made the role of caregiving even more challenging. 

recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found unpaid adult caregivers are so stressed, they are experiencing disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal thoughts. During Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, Balanced You reminds caregivers we are here for you with tips and resources to help you attend to your own emotional well-being and support your caregiving efforts. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources. 


mask pumpkin

Halloween tips from Public Health 

Holidays are going to be different this year, no question about it. But we all need to have some festivity, especially in the midst of the all we’ve had to deal with this year. Halloween has some good celebration options since many activities can be outside and mask wearing is part of the holiday, but there are still some risks with COVID circulating. Public Health has tips to prevent illness, help our community stay on track for reopening, and still retain some of the spooky and sweet flavor of Halloween. 

First, the basics: when planning your Halloween activities, follow the fundamentals of COVID prevention. Limit close contact with other people, limit touching points, and practice good hand hygiene. Read more.  


ship

Emergency Management awarded a grant to plan for catastrophic disasters 

Following a major earthquake, the supply chain that delivers life-sustaining products to our region will be impacted. King County Emergency Management received nearly $930,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program to establish a framework that lays out alternative modes of delivering these much needed products, specifically using our region’s waterways.

Equity and social justice is a large component of the grant, and the framework will work to ensure that it includes distributing goods and services to the diverse and traditionally underserved populations and communities in the region. The grant is a cross jurisdictional effort including counties, cities, and tribal nations. King County Emergency Management will start this work in early 2021. 


south plant

Utility of the Future Today and awards for outstanding performance 

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. 

The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future Today program was launched in 2016 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the WateReuse Association, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and leader in the overall sustainability and resilience of the communities they serve. WTD was recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a Utility of the Future Today, as well. Read more.  


book

DES featured in new book, “Solving the People Problem” 

A new book, “Solving the People Problem; Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace,” will be published at the end of the month. The book features several examples of how DES, specifically the Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD) and the Business Resource Center (BRC), have had success using the tools associated with the DISC profile to improve communication, relationships and productivity. 

The book includes an example of how the BRC has improved communication and increased productivity across the organization, while raising engagement, using the agency-wide DISC assessment and a “Step Up and Step Back” approach. Read more. 


PeopleSoft HCM outage this weekend, September 25-27  

To allow for system maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available the weekend of Sept. 25-27. 

During this planned outage, the Business Resource Center (BRC) will apply vendor updates and maintenance. PeopleSoft will have a new look and feel after the updates. Employees will notice the new design and color scheme on the login screen and homepages. Get a sneak preview of the new look and feel here. 

This work will begin on Friday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. and is scheduled to be completed by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28.  

The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available. Read more.  


climate

2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All employee briefing opportunities, September 29 and October 19 

King County employees are invited to come learn about the County’s proposed 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) at either of two free, Zoom “Lunch and Learns.” The 2020 SCAP is the County’s five-year blueprint for climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The plan outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action for decision-makers, employees, partners, and the public. On August 27th, Executive Constantine transmitted his recommended plan to the County Council.  

All King County employees are invited to participate in either of two briefings to get an overview of the new plan, priorities, and the work ahead. Registrants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting by email a few days before the event.  

  • Special guest, Executive Dow Constantine. Tuesday, Sept. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here. 
  • Special guest, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Public Health Officer. Monday, Oct. 19 from 2-3 p.m. Register here. 

For questions and more information, contact ClimateChange@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/SCAP. 


Register for the Procurement Technology Modernization Open House on October 1 

The Procurement Technology Modernization (PTM) project is well underway and fast approaching some major milestones. This project includes two system implementations: Oracle Procurement and Concur Travel and Travel Expense Reimbursement.  

The Oracle Procurement system includes a new service request and solicitations module, along with a self-service supplier registration module. It is scheduled to launch on October 26. Right now, the project team is focused on executing a phased training approach including Procurement and Payables staff, agency representatives, and eventually all relevant agency users. The second system implementation of the PTM project, the Concur system, offers King County employees traveling for work an automated way to seek travel approvals, book travel, and submit travel expense reimbursement. This system is currently undergoing testing, and training opportunities will be announced in the next few weeks. 

Please join us on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. via Zoom for the second PTM Agency Open House to learn more details about PTM and get your questions answered. Click here to register today. 


Training Spotlight: Upcoming learning opportunities 

Visit Learning and Development to find a diverse collection of classes available. Employees can view the King County Eventbrite page for current listings, and visit the Learning and Development website for other opportunities from various agencies. Current offerings include:   

  • King County Mentor Program Lunch and Learn – Online – This one hour Lunch and Learn is free and will provide detail on how to become a mentor or find a mentor. Facilitated by Rowena Jackson with a variety of options, you can register here for the next session on Friday, Sept. 25.  
  • Communication and Problems Solving Skills Online – Facilitated by Lenny Borer, this three-day training is $65 and takes place Tuesday, Oct. 13, Wednesday, the 14,
    and Thursday, the 15, from 9-11:30 a.m. each morning. Register here 
  • Brain-based Time Management Online – This three hour class is $50 and space is limited. The next session will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register here 

More options for these classes and others is available on our King County Eventbrite page. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning. 


Featured JobElections Worker (Temporary) 

Salary: $19.99 - $22.57 Hourly 

Location: WA 98057-2906, WA 

Job Type: Short Term Temporary, Full Time, 35 hrs/wk 

Department: KCE - King County Elections 

Job Number: 2020RL11914 

Closing: Continuous 

Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 


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