|
Reducing flood risks, improving salmon habitat, sustaining orca: Work begins on a major Cedar River restoration project
King County and partners have started a major restoration project along the Cedar River that will reduce flood risks, improve habitat for Chinook salmon, and provide sustenance to southern resident orcas.
The 52-acre project will restore a mile-long portion of the river in South King County to its natural state, creating slow-water, shallow habitat that is ideal for native Chinook salmon. It will build on the progress that partners have made to protect people, homes, and infrastructure from flood risks along the the river that flows from the Cascades to the southern tip of Lake Washington.
“We are steadily restoring the Cedar River toward its natural state, reducing flood risks, improving salmon habitat, and providing a more reliable food source for Puget Sound orca,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our successful restoration projects upstream provide a model for a unified effort, guided by science to achieve multiple benefits for all living things that call King County home.”
Annual Giving Drive is now on
King County Employee Giving Program’s Annual Giving Drive kicked off for 2020 on Monday, Oct. 5, and it’s your opportunity to support a cause you care about. Find out the many ways that you can take action in support of the participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world.
|
COVID-19 child care support
Do you need help with child care costs? You may qualify for financial assistance to pay for child care if you live or work in King County, fall within income guidelines and your income, work schedule, or access to child care has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 or you are an essential worker.
-
Must be under 400% FPL
-
Must live or work in King County
-
Must be an essential worker or have been impacted by COVID-19
-
For children aged 0-12 at licensed child care sites
Learn more about the CARES emergency funding for COVID-19 child care supports program here. Program information is available in 22 languages on our website. Read more.
|
Reducing coronavirus risk as we spend more time indoors for fall and winter
As the season changes, cooler temperatures mean more time indoors. The risk from COVID-19 increases with indoor gatherings compared to outdoors, but there are ways to reduce the spread and stay healthy. We talked to Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin about COVID-19 risks indoors and what to do about it.
Dr. Duchin, you’ve said “outdoors is safer than indoors.” Why is that?
Socializing outdoors is less risky than indoors for two main reasons: First, natural outdoor airflow rapidly dilutes viruses floating in the air. Second, sunlight kills viruses. But, as we head into fall and winter, we spend less time outdoors and more time indoors, where the risk of COVID-19 spread is higher. Read more.
|
Is your new workspace earthquake ready?
October 15 is the annual Shakeout drill, an opportunity for us to practice what to do during an earthquake. Many of us have participated in this drill while in an office building, but few have at our homes. We encourage employees to take time before the event to check out if their new workspace is earthquake ready.
-
Do you have large hanging items such as mirrors, plants, artwork or pictures, or lighting hanging near your workspace? If yes, considering moving them or finding ways to make them secure during an earthquake.
-
Are you able to easily DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON under your workspace? Remember during an earthquake the best thing to do is get under something sturdy and cover your head and neck.
-
Do you have emergency supplies in your home in case there is damaged infrastructure around the region? Do you have a two week supply of food and water? Other things to have in your emergency supply kit can be found here.
-
Have you talked to your family about what they should do during an earthquake? The Shakeout drill is a perfect opportunity to practice with those at home.
Test of KCInform: King County will participate in the ShakeOut drill with an annual test of KCInform, our employee alert and warning system, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. KCInform is used to reach employees during an emergency with information about infrastructure disruptions, facility issues, changes in business operations, and other critical impacts. Messages are sent through voice, text, and email. While all county emails and desk phones are already in the system, King County provided mobile phones and employees personal contact information are not. The service is free and all personal contact information is secure and protected.
|
2020 Flu shot reminders
This year’s flu season will be a difficult one as we also navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Do your part to keep yourself and your community healthy by getting a seasonal flu shot. Flu shots are available at King County job sites for essential employees required to report to work during this time. Essential, onsite employees can visit this Balanced You blogpost for more information, including a schedule of flu shot events and information on how to make an optional reservation. Telecommuting employees and all King County employees’ family members are encouraged to visit their local healthcare provider or pharmacy for their flu shot; visit this Balanced You blogpost for more information.
|
Lunch and Learn Sessions for Disability Awareness Month, October 7 and 21
In celebration of October as National Disability Awareness Month, the Department of Human Resources is hosting two Lunch and Learn discussions that focus on Race and Disability, to be held via Zoom. We will begin our discussion with a short video and then an open dialogue facilitated by Workforce Equity Manager Gloria Ngezaho, and employees Jennifer Greenlee, Lili Stansberry and Christina Davidson. All King County employees are welcome to join.
-
Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. – Discussion on the intersection of Race and Disability
-
Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, Oct. 21 from noon to 1 p.m. - Discussion on Media Representation of Race and Disability
To register and for more information, email Christina Davidson at
Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov. You will receive an Outlook calendar event with the Zoom link upon registration.
Celebrating 10 years of RapidRide
October 2 marks the 10-year anniversary of Metro’s first RapidRide, the A Line. Providing frequent service that connects Federal Way, Kent, SeaTac, and Tukwila, the A Line has grown to carry an average of 9,100 riders on weekdays since launching a decade ago.
Across King County, Metro’s RapidRide lines offer riders faster, more frequent, and more reliable bus service, fast all-door boarding, enhanced stations and passenger amenities, and on-board Wi-Fi. Read more.
|
Join us: Veteran diversity, equity and inclusion listening sessions
Our King County Veterans Program, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Puget Sound Health Care System) is hosting four listening sessions on diversity, equity and inclusion in veterans service systems. The listening sessions seek to learn and hear from veteran constituents (partners, employees and clients) to identify systemic bias and discrimination in veterans services in King County.
Please join us for a virtual conversation on:
Veteran Listening Sessions: Addressing Systemic Racism with Veteran Systems
-
Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1:30 – 3 p.m.
-
Friday, Oct. 16, from 9:30 – 11 a.m.
-
Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon
-
Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Register for a listening session here.
|
National drug take back day October 24: A good reminder that safe medicine disposal saves lives
Since 2016, DCHS has promoted awareness and use of free and confidential neighborhood medicine disposal programs as a strategy to prevent opioid overdose death, medicine abuse and suicide. DCHS, along with partners that include King County Waste Management and Washington Poison Center, produced a successful “Don’t Hang on to Meds” public health messaging campaign focused on promoting at home medicine safety strategies such as securely storing medicines in use and disposing of unused and expired meds.
Training Spotlight courses from Learning and Development
Leadership and Management Series through North Seattle College – Online – Develop your leadership, communication, motivation, and problem-solving skills with this workshop based series. Take all four classes in the series to enhance your professional toolbox with skills to be used in a variety of workplace situations. All four classes need to be completed to receive a completion in PeopleSoft. Register here
-
Oct. 14 - Communication Skills
-
Oct. 21 - Decision-Making
-
Oct. 28 - Dealing with Difficult People
-
Nov. 4 - Team Leadership
Communication and Problem Solving Skills with Lenny Borer – Online – Facilitated by Lenny Borer, this three-day training is $65 and takes place from 9 - 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 13, 14 and 15. Register here.
Pet of the Week: Mr. Wilson
Hi! My name is Mr. Wilson and I am available for adoption. I am an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing! I like getting attention on my own terms. I can get overstimulated with petting, so please move carefully with me and keep an eye out for signs that I might need a break. My caregivers have noticed that I do not seem to get along with other cats and dogs, so I may do best as the only pet in my new home. My personality color is RED. I am a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality! I may be sensitive to handling, so I would do best in a home with a cat savvy family who knows when to give me some space.
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
|
Featured Job: Court Coordinator
Salary: $73,607.04 - $93,653.04 Annually
Location: Issaquah District Court, WA
Job Type: Regular, Full time, 40 hrs/week
Department: KCDC - District Court
Job Number: 2020 Coordinator-ISS
Closing: 10/11/2020 12:00 PM Pacific
KC Headlines
|
