We extend an enthusiastic congratulations to Cam Breither (pronouns: they/them), Equity, Racial and Social Justice (ERSJ) Lead and previous interim Learning and Development Manager! They began their Special Duty Assignment (SDA) as EIB Manager II in the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Director's Office on August 5.

Cam began with King County on the Learning & Development team in April of 2022 as the ERSJ Education Lead and has been making a positive impact in leaps and bounds. They have curated and improved courses in our program that provide education on inclusivity, respect, and compassion, guiding us to the county’s True North and Values of making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

We are excited for Cam to continue their growth and contributions in their new SDA position and know that their passion for ERSJ will continue to benefit our Learning and Development program and the county as a whole. Well done Cam and congratulations!!

In King County, our approach to equity centers on race as a crucial, ongoing element in addressing racial and social justice. Data and lived experiences reveal that race is a persistent, significant factor in disparities across health, education, housing, and economic opportunities. Recognizing race's pervasive influence, we integrate it into every discussion on equity, acknowledging how it intersects with other identities like gender, disability, and socioeconomic status.

For example, when we examine the experiences of cis and trans women in the workplace, we must consider how race shapes these experiences differently for women of color compared to white women. Or when addressing accessibility issues for people with disabilities, we need to account for how racial disparities in healthcare and education might impact their experiences.

This race-focused, intersectional approach helps us understand how different aspects of identity interact and amplify inequities. By leading with race, we develop comprehensive strategies that address the complexities of our diverse community, aiming to create a King County where everyone can thrive.

To explore the data for King County communities linked above further, visit Communities Count.

Grow your knowledge, skills and abilities to advance a pro-equity, racially just workplace and connect with other employees across the county by participating in the Equity, Racial and Social Justice series FREE live workshops!

Equity, Racial and Social Justice Fundamentals – A Journey Through Socialization, next session is Thursday, August 22.

Building Gender Inclusive Spaces, next session is Tuesday, September 10.

Building Gender Inclusive Spaces – for Managers & Supervisors, next session is Tuesday, November 19.

Equity and Leadership – next session is Wednesday, September 11. (Although full, you can still get on the waitlist!)

Once enrolled in any of our courses, please note the date and timeframe on your calendar to ensure you don't book over that time slot. Invites are sent out two business days before each session.

This self-paced eLearning will provide tips and strategies on how to make application materials stand out. Learn the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions, and how to make each of them more effective. We’ll go over what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications, how to write a tailored cover letter, and how to showcase your accomplishments and transferable skills. Learn more and enroll HERE. 

This self-paced eLearning will provide you with strategies and tips to help you do your best during the interview.  You will learn how to prepare for a virtual or in-person interview, the interview structure and types of questions you will be asked. You will also learn our STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses. You will also be given some general interviewing tips and strategies. Learn more and enroll HERE.

Mentoring Lunch & 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.

Thursday, September 26, always from noon to 1:00 p.m. Enroll here and be sure to mark your calendar! Calendar invites are sent out two business days before the session.

Live PeopleSoft classes were put on pause for July and August while the training database got a makeover to the latest version of the system. Classes have returned with dates starting as soon as September.

PeopleSoft for Agency HR Professionals – get hands on instruction in how to find helpful resources, creating a new position, updating position data, job data, and more! Enroll Here

PeopleSoft for Agency Timekeeping and Payroll – timekeepers and payroll professionals will be taken through the entire payroll cycle, learning how to process time and labor for their agency’s employees. Enroll Here

Check out the Business Resource Center’s (BRC) training page for more on on-demand e-learning courses focused on PeopleSoft for managers and supervisors and our introductory course on the PeopleSoft Happy Path. Contact the BRC’s training team with any questions: BRCTraining@kingcounty.gov

Don't forget to check out higher education opportunities through our King County Discounts page! Scroll down to the last pull down menu and click + to expand the list. 

You will find links to two of the three Seattle College campuses, along with links to CityU and UW Tacoma. King County employees will enjoy a 10% discount from UW Tacoma and Seattle Colleges as well as a 15% discount from CityU. 

Please contact us at kctraining@kingcounty.gov to inquire about discount codes for the Seattle College campuses.

Happy Learning! 

Getting backed up with documents and email? Do you know what a 'transitory' document is? This course covers the basics of records management and the responsibilities of King County employees.

It is required for most new employees by Executive Policy INF-15-6-EP, but it is also a great refresher course! Want to learn more? Visit the Records Management Program website for more information at www.kingcounty.gov/recordsmanagement or click here to Enroll.