Employee News - Jan. 20

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

Performance Excellence Awards

Make your nominations for Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards 

Nominations are now open for the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards  to recognize individual employees and workgroups whose innovations and improvements are delivering excellence for our customers, our organization, and our region. Click here to read more.


POTW Ariya

Regional Animal Services statistics show great work in 2021

Cross-posted from Executive Services Express

Pet adoptions, volunteer shifts, and community outreach at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) came to a screeching halt in March 2020 when coronavirus first emerged in King County. 

Despite the extraordinary challenges of operating in a global pandemic, RASKC still succeeded in its mission to help people and pets last year, and the annual statistics bear that out. Click here to read more. 


Employee Spotlights

Food Lifeline

Honoring MLK: Helping create 134,000 meals at Food Lifeline

Cross-posted from Executive Services Express

In early January, nine employees from the Department of Executive Services Director’s Office volunteered at Food Lifeline’s warehouse. On the day they volunteered, together with other groups they created 134,000 meals for people experiencing food insecurity, according to Cecilia Huizar, Food Lifeline Volunteer Coordinator.

“We chose this service activity to observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” said Caroline Whalen, DES director. “It was a fun and rewarding group activity that I think we just might do again.” Read the full story here.


Admin Pro logo

Administrative Professionals recognized

The Administrative Professionals Development and Recognition Program has a quarterly recognition process for spotlighting the valuable contributions of administrative professionals.

Check out the Administrative Professionals website to see the 2021 Q4 recognitions and read about the great work administrative professionals continue to do. Share your appreciation by recognizing an administrative professional today.


Announcements

ARWAG

ARWAG meeting discusses new option to remove unlawful restrictive covenants

Do you know if there’s an unlawful restrictive covenant on your property? Many homes in King County have them. Even though they haven’t been enforceable for years, they once prohibited people of certain races or religions from owning property.

Everyone is invited to the January meeting of the Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG), where we will hear about unlawful restrictive covenants and a new option property owners have to remove the covenant from their property’s chain of title. Also learn about other anti-racist work underway.

To join ARWAG, receive the meeting notice series, or get more information, please email ARWAG@kingcounty.gov


remote work

Coffee Connections: Tips to minimize burnout

Last year many of us felt an increased sense of burnout. This year, we expect many are still feeling burnt out as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainty and disruption in our lives. 

Join Balanced You and colleagues across King County for a discussion on how to identify signs of burnout and learn techniques to help you get through it.


investing in you logo

New Regence programs get you on the path to feeling better

King County is offering several new Health Support Programs through Regence BlueShield to employees and family members covered by the KingCare and KingCare Select medical plans.

These programs provide extra support when you need it. For example, you may need help understanding a new diagnosis, managing a chronic condition, or handling an illness.

These programs offer on-demand resources and dedicated health professionals that you can talk to through video visits or phone calls. Many programs provide equipment and apps that help you track your progress in managing your health. All programs are free and are flexible to fit your schedule. Click here to find out more.


Training Spotlight:

  • Communication and Problem Solving Skills – Online – This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, handling conflicts, and managing defensive behavior. This class takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 25 and 26 from 8:30 a.m. to noon both days with a fee of $65.00. Attendance both days is required for completion of the class. Register here.
  • Mentorship Lunch and Learn – Online – Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. This Lunch and Learn is free and the next session is Wednesday, Jan. 26 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
  • Equity & Social Justice Fundamentals – Online – Equity and Social Justice Fundamentals is the first session in a series of trainings designed to support King County employees in learning about equity and social justice and in particular racial justice at King County using videos, small group conversations, and sharing of information and resources. This training is free and will be offered on multiple dates, with the next session on Thursday, Jan. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. Register here.
  • North Seattle College classes now online – Please note that all Seattle College offerings have reverted to an online platform. There are no in-person classes. You will find all north campus winter session classes at King County Eventbrite and scroll down.

Hacker blue

Security Tips - Extortion with a Twist

So, you may or may not visit sensitive websites every now and again. But, what happens when a hacker tries to blackmail you with “proof” of you on a sensitive website? This is a classic case of extortion with a twist.

How it works

  1. A bad guy sends you an email that appears to be sent from your own email address.
  2. In the email, they claim to have compromising content of you.
  3. They demand money - usually cryptocurrency. If you pay the bill, they won’t distribute the compromising content to others.

The bad guy doesn’t actually have the compromising content that they claim - do not send them money! Either delete the email or report the email using the "Report Phishing" button.

Tips to avoid extortion

Although the above scam is not real, legitimate extortion is a serious internet crime that can lead to devastating consequences for victims.

According to the FBI, here are some things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of extortion:

  • Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are — or who they say they are.
  • Don’t open attachments from people you don’t know, and be wary of opening attachments even from those you do know.
  • Turn off and/or cover any web cameras when you are not using them.

If you have any questions, please reach out to kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.


POTW Beatrice

Pet of the Week: Beatrice

Hi there! My name is Beatrice and I am available for adoption. I am a 55-pound Pit Bull mix with the sweetest demeanor. Once you hand feed me a few treats I just want to crawl into your lap for some snuggles! Because of my shyness I would do best in a quiet and calm home.

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that RASKC has moved to adoptions by appointment only. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.


Project Manager graphic

Featured Job: Operations Specialist, Project/Program Manager II

Salary: $37.97 - $48.13 Hourly

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)

Department: DCHS - Community & Human Services

Job Number: 2022SC15106

Division: Adult Services

Closes: Jan. 27 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time

The Operations Specialist for the Department of Community & Human Services will lead the Adult Services Division in revising content and adopting a new website management and file sharing system as well as monitoring contract processes and compliance.

Learn more about this position or view all available positions

Contact us

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.

Back issues of the newsletter

Click here for previous editions of the Employee News e-newsletter going back to 2019.