Celebrating 2024 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In October, King County celebrates the contributions made by people with disabilities, and how disabilities, both visible and non-apparent, enhance our workforce, our communities, and our country.
On Oct. 8, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci honored the contributions of individuals with disabilities by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). A job is so much more than a paycheck. It enables a person to contribute to their community, fulfill their potential, and build meaningful connections with those around them.
King County’s Supported Employment Program has been creating significant employment opportunities for those with developmental disabilities for more than 34 years. In building this program, we live our value of respecting all people for their unique contributions. Individuals in this program work in all areas of our government, from our water and land resources environmental lab, to our courthouses, to our metro bases.
This month, and throughout the year, the Supported Employment Program and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Disability Services will continue to collaborate with all county departments and offices to creatively explore ways to be as inclusive as possible by creating unique roles for individuals with disabilities, and providing workplace tools and accommodations that support their success in the workforce.
View the official proclamation here.
Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month here on the Department of Labor website. If you are interested in working through the creative and rewarding process of creating a supported employment role in your workgroup, or just want to learn more about the program in general, please reach out to Supported Employment Program Manager Lauren Orichio at LOrichio@kingcounty.gov.
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Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 17
King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 17 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness.
KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable), personal cell phone, and email address to ensure you don’t miss important, time-sensitive messages. The service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected.
If you are not currently registered with KCInform, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website and watch this short video to learn more.
And remember, at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut drill. Read more.
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Crossposted from DES Express
Silvana Vasquez, data analyst at King County International Airport and aspiring pilot, is featured in a new book, the fourth edition of “Latinas in Aviation.” Silvana attended the launch of the book in Maryland in September.
“I feel so honored and so lucky that I am able to be part of this,” Vasquez said. “All the profit they make off the books go to scholarships for girls that want to become pilots.” Read more.
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Supervisor Spotlight: Highlighting those behind the scenes who keep us moving
Crossposted from Metro Matters
It takes a lot of people to keep a transit system running smoothly across 150 routes and over 300,000 boardings a day.
Bus drivers are the most visible part of any transit system, but there are people behind the scenes who are just as vital in the day-to-day operation of King County Metro.
Their responsibilities include training operators, planning the routes that run throughout the region, and literally being the “traffic controllers” who keep track of the buses on their daily runs. Read more.
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2024 Annual Giving Drive Non-Profit Expo series
The Employee Giving Program’s Non-Profit Expo series begins on Oct. 15 at the Chinook Building. Join us as we meet the non-profits that make our Annual Giving Drive possible.
Expos are a great chance for King County employees to connect with different non-profit organizations, ask questions, and form connections. Come curious, as we have a unique opportunity to share resources, connect with new people, and create long-lasting connections.
- Oct. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the King Street Center, 8th floor Conference Center
- Oct. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, 3rd floor rotunda
We can’t wait to see you there. Learn more.
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Small acts and big impacts with the Annual Giving Drive
The King County Employee Giving Program (EGP) helps enrich communities and provides opportunities for people to thrive. The EGP’s Annual Giving Drive is a way for you to support a variety of causes ranging from arts, culture, and humanities to racial and social justice, and everything in between. If you are unsure where to start or what cause or organization to support, no problem. We aim to make it easier and more accessible for you to give because we know that small acts add up to big impacts!
You can find EGP participating nonprofit organizations online or in the 2024 King County EGP Nonprofit Giving Guide. You can make your campaign pledge here. Pledge today and make a big impact for positive change.
Check out the video below to learn more.
Crossposted from DES Express
To help the county reduce greenhouse gas emissions in county transportation, Fleet Services has begun transitioning county diesel vehicles to “renewable diesel.”
“We took our first deliveries at our first two locations,” on October 2, said Chauntelle Hellner, director of Fleet Services. The Renton fueling station received 9,000 gallons and the Black Diamond location received 3,000 gallons.
“We’re on the road. It’s in the works,” she added, explaining that other county facilities with diesel will transition to renewable diesel, or R99. Read more.
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Crossposted from DES Express
Did you know: Washington has the second-highest earthquake risk of any state in the United States, after California. Now is a good time to get prepared.
The annual Great Washington ShakeOut is October 17 at 10:17 a.m. Employees are encouraged to take a few moments and practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in their workspace. All King County employees will be receiving a KCInform test alert that morning. KCInform is King County’s employee alerting system. Read more.
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Records Management Reminder: Records Management vs. Records Center vs. Archives
Within King County, there are three different programs organized within the Department of Executive Services, Records and Licensing Services (RALS) that provide services related to county records:
- Records Management
- Records Center
- Archives
Records Management The countywide program that provides resources on how to manage public records over time. The Records Management Program provides guidance on records retention, provides training and guidance on records topics, and supports Content Manager (the countywide records management system).
Records Center The warehouse facility where physical county records are stored while they are still within their retention period and still owned by their initiating agency.
Archives The Archives holds and provides access to historical county records (both physical and electronic) that are designated archival on a retention schedule. Records at the Archives have met their retention and the legal custody has transferred to the Archives.
For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The Records Management Program, in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to state and local legal requirements and best practices.
Discount to Seattle Sounders FC game, Oct. 19
King County employees can purchase discounted tickets to Decision Day/Rivalry Night, where the Sounders FC are taking on the Portland Timbers with the potential of knocking them out of a playoff spot. This opportunity is a "thank you" from the Sounders to employees who selflessly serve our communities.
The game is Saturday, Oct 19, at 6 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. It will be held at Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
Purchase tickets at this link, and for more information, view this flyer.
See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Training Spotlight:
Leader Learning Lab – Leading Boldly: A Commitment to Racial Justice - Online – Leader Learning Labs are facilitated forums for County leaders to practice skills and dive deeper into Leadership Development and Equity, Racial & Social Justice topics with their peers. Each session will cover a different leader skill, while highlighting County Values. The October session will highlight the We are Racially Just and We Lead the Way Values. Please note that completion of Equity & Leadership is required prior to enrolling in any Leader Learning Lab.
Leader Mindset – Online – This workshop for King County supervisors and managers sets a foundation that leading a team starts with understanding yourself and your responsibility to create a team culture of belonging where all employees can thrive. In this interactive webinar, participants will take part in engaging activities, small group discussions and action planning.
Please visit our Learning and Development training website and our Career Support Services website for more learning opportunities. Also, for discounted college and continuing education opportunities, visit our Discounts webpage and expand the Higher Education menu. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Featured Job: Division Director - Adult Services Division
Salary: $177,694.40 - $225,222.40 Annually
Location: Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type: Appointed
Job Number: 2024SC22847
Department: DCHS - Community & Human Srvcs
Division: Comm & Human Svcs Admin
Opening Date: 10/11/2024
Closing Date: 11/2/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Are you a courageous leader with personal integrity and have a human centered approach? This leadership opportunity will oversee the high-performing team in our Adult Services Division. The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences. At King County, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems—striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just because the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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