UPDATED: Employee News - Nov. 7, 2023

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King County Employee News

Nov. 7, 2023

This version has been updated to correct the link to the Walking Bus pilot program flyer in the article "New departure times and flyer for Walking Bus pilot program."

Highlights

King County Water Taxi diverts runaway barge headed for Seattle waterfront

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

Water Taxi and barge

As high winds whipped through Elliott Bay on the afternoon of Nov. 2, a King County Water Taxi’s crew took fast action to intercept an unmoored, 300-foot container barge floating toward the Seattle waterfront.

The MV Doc Maynard water taxi, helmed by Capt. Dan Krehbiel, had just departed Seacrest Dock in West Seattle when the crew spotted a fully-loaded barge moving across Elliott Bay without the typical tugboat escorts. The massive vessel was headed in the direction of the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. Realizing the danger this posed, Capt. Krehbiel and crew swiftly intervened to divert the barge.

Read more and watch video of the water taxi taking on the barge.


Open enrollment

One week left to complete Open Enrollment

Don’t miss your opportunity to review your benefit choices and make changes for next year. If you haven’t already done so, go into Open Enrollment and make selections for you and your family. You can go into the system as often as you need until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

If you don’t participate in Open Enrollment, your current elections automatically continue for next year except your Flexible Spending Accounts and your Benefit Access Fee exemption if you cover a spouse on your KingCare PPO medical plan — these must be selected each year.

Learn more

All set? When you’re ready, Log in to PeopleSoft and select the Open Enrollment tile. Make your changes, then use the Submit Enrollment button. For help with PeopleSoft, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357.

Need assistance? Contact the Benefits team:

Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations

Chinook Building, 2nd Floor

401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Call 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

Closed in observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 10.


Giving Drive 35th Anniversary 2023

Annual Giving Drive: Reasons 23 - 28 to give

We hope that you utilized the extra hour from the end of daylight savings to participate in the Annual Giving Drive. If you did not, then there is no need to worry because there are still two more weeks to participate. Don’t miss your chance to join the hundreds of employees that have made a difference this year.

We have highlighted a handful of Employee Giving Program organizations in this blog to help you find a cause that you care about and wish to support. Nonprofits include organizations that are Native-led and center Indigenous communities in honor of Native American Heritage Month and organizations that focus on diabetes research, prevention, and support in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month. Read more.

You can find more EGP participating nonprofit organizations online or in the 2023 King County EGP Nonprofit Giving Guide.

You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today!


Walking Bus

New departure times and flyer for Walking Bus pilot program

King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times from the King County Courthouse to King Street Station and Colman Dock via the Pioneer Square light rail station.  

In this pilot phase, which started Monday, Nov. 6, King County employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way. 

Download this flyer for routes and departure times and learn more here.


Employee Spotlights

Chan Saelee and family

Teamwork makes the dream work: A chat with Chan Saelee

Transitioning from parental leave into a new role may sound like a balancing act, but Chan Saelee (he/him) has managed it with ease. After joining King County 10 years ago, Chan views it as a “journey of continual learning.” While on leave for the birth of his second child, he landed a new position in the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) as a Youth Cross Systems Coordinator. He says, “It’s a bit of a transition when coming back to work but it’s a great role working with youth.” Read more about Chan here.

More about the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group

The next American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika (AANHP) virtual gathering will take place in person on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m.

If you are interested in getting connected to the AANHP community at King County, reach out to the co-Chairs, Helen Potter (hpotter@kingcounty.gov) and Guru Dorje (guru.dorje@kingcounty.gov).

Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.


KCSO coat giveaway Alajawan Brown center 2023

Annual Alajawan Brown Coat Giveaway a Warm Success

Cross-posted from the Sheriff's Newsletter

As October came to a chilly close, the Alajawan Brown Foundation’s annual coat giveaway program, known as Bundles of Love, took place at the Sherrif's Skyway storefront.

Children and their parents brought warmth and bright smiles as they tried on brand new coats, assisted by Deputies Miranda Blazak and Cy Brame, Detective Mike Norris, Major Mark Konoske, and Community Service Officer Vickie Cariello. Nearly 100 coats were given out to students from all three Skyway Elementary schools, with families browsing for the perfect fit and feel. The successful coat drive comes just in time for the imminent winter season!


Announcements

Veterans Day Thank You sign

King County to observe Veterans Day on Nov. 10 

Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor our veterans for their service to our nation, and the contributions that they continue to bring to our communities. 

Most King County offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 10.  

Due to the nature of our work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. If you have any questions about your schedule for Nov. 10, please talk to your supervisor. 

On Nov. 10, most Metro Transit buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. Services will be on the normal Saturday schedule on Nov. 11.


disabilty equity network logo

King County Disability Equity Network to host next meeting Nov. 9

The King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) will host its next business meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Agenda items include KCDEN’s continued collaboration with the Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice to advance disability equity as part of the King County ESJ Strategic Plan refresh process, and initial discussion of KCDEN goals for calendar year 2024.

These meetings are open to all King County employees. The purpose is to center and support those employees who self-identify as a person with a disability. Employees will not be asked to disclose any information regarding one’s disability.  

Live captioning is available. Future KCDEN business meetings will occur on the second Friday of each month at noon. For a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov.


Cash Money

Learn more about the Deferred Compensation Plan by attending a board meeting

The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan is governed by a nine-member board of directors made up of past and present King County employees. The board meets monthly to discuss plan business, issues, policy and design, and fund performance.

The Deferred Compensation Plan Board highly values diverse perspectives, and all employees are welcome at board meetings.

If you are curious about the inner workings of the Deferred Compensation Plan, please join them:

When: The second Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue, Room 116, Seattle, WA 98104

Virtual Option: You can also join via teams on your computer, mobile app or room device: Click here to join the meeting; Meeting ID: 274 314 920 089; Passcode: 5bfKyJ.

For the meeting agenda and meeting minutes, go to Deferred Compensation Plan.

If you have questions, please contact King County Deferred Compensation Plan Administrators or call 206-263-9250.


KC Airport logo

Managing Engineer - King County International Airport

Salary: $125,528.00 - $159,099.20 Annually

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Career Service, Full Time

Job Number: 2023BM20251

Department: DES - Executive Services

Division: Airport

Closes: Nov. 21 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time

King County International Airport – Boeing Field (BFI) is looking for an innovative and great people leader to serve as Managing Engineer. Reporting to the Airport Director, this position manages the planning and delivery of the Airport Capital Improvement Program and oversees the Engineering and Planning Services of the Airport.

Learn about this position and 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.