Looking ahead to the next stage of our operations

Just over three years ago, as the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I ended mandatory telework for Executive Branch employees. The mandate was put in place early in the pandemic to limit the spread of the virus and keep our staff and customers safe.

Along with the rest of the world we learned to use teleconferencing, and we discovered the efficiency and convenience that can come with being able to be in two places at once. We will continue to benefit from that technology. At the same time, we learned the value that is lost when we aren’t together as a group; when our conversations are never face-to-face, other than on a screen.

Over the past three years, more and more of our workforce has returned to County worksites regularly, and we’ve seen the many benefits of in-person interaction and collaboration in areas like creativity and innovation, inclusion and belonging, employee development, and service delivery.

To further leverage these and other benefits, I have asked all executive branch [1] department directors to be in person, on site at a King County worksite, at least three days a week starting in November. Read more.

Deputy Hodge embodies the Mariners Way

The King County Sheriff's Office was delighted to witness Deputy Marty Hodge being publicly recognized at a recent Mariners game with his name illuminated on the big screen.

Deputy Hodge dedicated 21 years to service in the United States Army as a Master Sergeant in special forces, notably contributing to the first Iraq war and operation Enduring Freedom.

Following his military tenure, Deputy Hodge transitioned to a role at the King County Sheriff’s Office, where he has diligently served as a deputy for the past 22 years.

Deputy Hodge initially commenced off-duty work for the Mariners in 2009 and assumed the role of the visitors’ dugout Officer in 2019.

Beyond fulfilling security responsibilities for the players, employees, and fans, Deputy Hodge consistently exemplifies the “Mariners Way” through his amicable interaction with all fans and his deep-rooted affinity for the Mariners and baseball. 

Administrative professional recognitions now available for January through June 2024

The Administrative Professionals Program is excited to announce the Administrative Professional Recognitions for the first and second quarter of 2024, from January through June. These 27 individuals have been recognized for their excellence as administrative professionals at King County. View the recognitions here.

The list includes: Allison Pierce, Amanda Knell, Amiee McCrea, Angela Simmons, Audrey Johnson, Betty Jimerson, Channy Koing, Chris Stein, David Matsumoto, Dorcas Olegario, Elaine Edwards, Jennifer Blackstone, Judi Hendrickson, Julie Chung, Katerina (Katie) Kovalchuk, Kelly Uyehara, Krystal Heflin, Lauren Bagby, Linda Eaves, Marla Erickson, Marni Donnely, Maureen Dahlstrom, Renee Jacklin-Pool, Roger Bruckshen, Rona Baker, Sala Louie, and Wendy Oshima.

Thank you to the Administrative Specialists, Executive Assistants, Customer Service Specialists, Medical Assistants, Court Clerks, and others who keep King County operating. Please consider taking a moment to recognize an Administrative Professional on your team, so we can give them a shoutout in the upcoming quarter. For more information about the Administrative Professionals Program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/administrativeprofessionals.

Crossposted from Metro Matters

Recruiting and training new bus operators allows our region’s transit network to continue to grow. On June 21, King County Metro celebrated the graduation of 54 part-time operators to full-time status. June also marked Metro’s highest number of full-time operators since 2021, although we still need to add many more to meet the high demand for transit service in the coming years. In addition, we recently began training our first class of external candidates seeking to become full-time bus operators.

Metro has historically hired part-time operators who can later apply for full-time status. We’ve switched to hiring external candidates, which is a proven approach used by many transit agencies. While a part-time operator hiring model fit our system when more riders were traveling during commuting hours, full-time operators better fit Metro’s current workforce needs in delivering reliable all-day service. Metro plans to hire and train both part-time and full-time operators in the years ahead to meet the varied needs of our riders. Read more.

Refuge Outdoor Festival offers a camping and outdoor recreation experience led by the BIPOC community at Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground Aug. 16-18

Refuge Outdoor Festival, now in its seventh year and aimed at expanding participation and access to the great outdoors by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and their allies, will take place Aug. 16-18 at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground in Carnation.

This year’s festival will offer more programming than ever, including multiple sessions of biking, healing, birding and stargazing. The festival’s first-ever youth summit will feature a mix of community- and youth-led workshops, activities, and discussions for all festival-goers ages 15 to 19.

Full-access festival passes are priced on a sliding scale with limited scholarship tickets available. Festival information and tickets are available at the event website. Read more.

Call for photos to be featured at in bus shelters across King County

Metro is partnering with the Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) on an international call for photos to be featured at bus shelters across King County. Successful photos could remain in bus shelters for up to 10 years. This call is open to all County employees and their family members of all ages.

This year’s theme is “Show Us Your World” and intended to explore personal, cultural identity and connection. This can include, but is not limited to, photos that display:

• Culture, values, and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations.
• Shared bonds within a specific community.
• One’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present, and future.
• A visual representation or documentation of what is meaningful to you.

King County employees can submit up to five photos at no cost using the discount code 2024Discount.

To be considered, photos must be submitted by Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, through the online application form. More information about the photo call, including specifications and submission instructions can be found on the application page. A panel of judges will select up to 100 photos to be printed and installed in Metro bus shelters starting in late 2024.

White Center Coffee with a Cop event successful

On a sunny Wednesday morning, the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and delicious Hawaiian cuisine wafted through the air at Patrick's Café. This popular local spot, known for its warm ambiance and tasty offerings, played host to a special gathering – Coffee with a Cop, organized in partnership with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

The event drew a good number of community members, attracting both regular patrons and passersby. Community Service Officers (CSOs) and Deputies, accompanied by several members of the command staff and leadership, engaged in meaningful conversations with community members, listening to their concerns and answering questions.

The generous hosts at Patrick’s Café provided complimentary coffee and an assortment of pastries, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.

The event was a resounding success, fostering positive connections between law enforcement and the community while exemplifying the spirit of unity and collaboration.

King County Metro launches exciting new apprenticeship opportunity, learn more Aug. 7

Metro's Apprenticeship and Pathways team and the Rail Division are launching the Rail Signal and Communication Apprenticeship.

Join an upcoming informational event to learn more about the apprenticeship program, the application process, and the work of Rail's Signal and Communication Technicians.

• Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Join here. Use Meeting ID: 826 6008 9012 and Passcode: 645778.

Learn more in this flyer, and view the job posting to apply here or down below.

RISE Affinity Group upcoming meeting, Aug. 12

The Refugee and Immigrant Support and Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group empowers immigrant and refugee employees to succeed in the workplace through providing a collective voice and representation, creating a space that fosters a sense of community and belonging, and advocating for equitable access to resources, support, and opportunities for professional growth.

Join the next meeting on Monday, August 12 at noon. This meeting takes place over Zoom. Join the meeting at https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/87322908863 using meeting ID 873 2290 8863 and passcode 965814.

For questions contact RISE@kingcounty.gov. For more information about RISE and other King County Affinity Groups, visit www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.

Reconnect to Opportunity Back to School Resource Fair, Aug. 15

Employees are invited to participate in the Reconnect to Opportunity Back to School Drive Through Resource Fair on Aug. 15. This is the fifth annual event where Reconnect to Opportunity will be passing out free materials to opportunity youth such as backpacks, school supplies, food boxes, community resources, and more. 

• Thursday, Aug. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., YouthSource Tukwila parking lot at 645 Andover Park W., Tukwila, 98188

Reconnect to Opportunity is a reengagement program that connects young people ages 16-24 to education and employment resources. The Program is excited to share community resources and school supplies with families. For more information, view this flyer. 

CHOMP! is back, Aug. 17

City of Seattle Bike and Scooter Fair open to King County employees, Aug. 20

Employees are welcome to visit the City of Seattle Employee Bike and Scooter Fair on Aug. 20. Come test a bike or scooter with Lime and Bird, get promo codes, and free helmets. Other vendors include Mend Bicycles and Speedy's E-Bike Rescue. In addition, the Bike Works BikeMobile will be set up at City Hall Park providing low/no cost bicycle repair.

• Tuesday Aug. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. View the event flyer here.

King County employee discount for 2024 Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival 2-day ticket

As a thank you to King County employees and in line with Bumbershoot’s goal to keep ticket prices affordable, organizers have offered discounted admission to King County employees for a 2-day ticket. Use discount code KingCounty24 to purchase these tickets at a discounted rate. The discounted rate is only available for a 2-day ticket.

Bumbershoot takes place Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 at Seattle Center. Click here to purchase tickets.

See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.