Professional Development Scholarship Program accepting applications in 2023
What could up to $3,000 do for your career? The newly designed Professional Development Scholarship Program is returning in 2023. The scholarship is designed to assist King County employees who are represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions with their professional development by providing financial assistance to help obtain training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications related to work performed at King County.
Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and deadlines. Read more.
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King County Elections receives national recognition
King County Elections was honored by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Officials, in the organization’s annual Professional Practice Paper Awards for 2022.
The Election Center’s Professional Practices Program is a celebration of best practices from jurisdictions around the country and the U.S. Territories. Read more.
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Free Youth Transit Pass starts Sept. 1
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the one-week countdown to the Free Youth Transit Pass at a celebration and rally with advocates, young leaders, families, and officials who were champions for the change. King County will also join regional transit agencies in lowering ORCA LIFT fares to $1. Read more.
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Temporary subsidized parking ends Sept. 2
The temporary subsidized parking program of half the employee cost of parking at the Goat Hill Parking Garage and King Street Center Garage will end Sept. 2, 2022.
Effective Sept. 3, 2022 the full daily rate of $20 will be in effect. Employees who wish to park for a full day at either of these garages will pay a $20 daily rate with their employee ID Card. You can find complete hourly rates here. Read more.
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Search and Rescue team airlifts injured hiker
A team from the King County Search and Rescue team recenlty were caught on video airlifting an injured hiker off Cathedral Rock mountain. The hiker had a broken ankle and was not able to continue without assistance.
Kudos to the team of deputies involved: Joshua Sweeney, Alexander Paul, Anthony Mullinax, Keith Potter, Robert Clarkson, and Peter Linde.
According to a thank you email from the injured hiker, she is successfully recovering back home in California and doctors say she should be able to finish the trail next year. Click here to watch the rescue video.
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New approach by King County Regional Homelessness Authority featured in Washington Post
King County was featured this week in a Washington Post article on innovations to improve the accuracy of data on the homeless population in our area. The article documents a new method being trialed by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) for counting unsheltered populations, and also features a report from the King County Department of Community and Human Services that analyzes integrated data hubs to better identify gaps between systems serving our most vulnerable neighbors. Better data will mean more effective solutions for people experiencing homelessness. Read more.
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Retirement plan contributions to change Sept. 1
Employee and employer contribution rates for retirement plans will change on Sept. 1, 2022, as approved by the State Legislature.
The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates as needed to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. Click here to see the new contribution rates.
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Husky football ticket discount for King County
Husky Football is excited to offer local government employees discounted football tickets to four great matchups this fall.
- Portland State - Saturday, Sept. 10
- Stanford - Saturday, Sept. 24
- Arizona - Saturday, Oct. 15
- Colorado - Saturday, Nov. 19
Click here to purchase tickets or for more information about other games, flex plans, season tickets, and group discounts.
See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Balanced You Coffee Connections: Cardio Class
Getting up and moving mid-day is a great way to boost your energy! Back by popular demand, Balanced You Coffee Connections is offering a virtual cardio class. Join us for a 30-minute movement break.
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Making Life Easier Benefit: Childcare and Parenting Resources
As parents are preparing for the new school year, it's likely there is a to-do list that is piled high. Making Life Easier (MLE) provides a free childcare and parenting resource for King County employees that includes unlimited calls and instant messaging for resources and referral assistance for kids from birth to age 16.
Childcare consultants can offer resources to support parents in a number of situations like finding emergency back-up care if your school closes, volunteer opportunities for teens, play groups for infants/toddlers, and preschool recommendations.
Consultants can also search for a variety of resources for children with special needs, such as in-home caregivers, financial guidance, testing and assessment resources, and schools for exceptional children. Learn about all the parenting resources available and how to access them here.
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King County Security Tips: Vishing
Cybercriminals not only use the internet and email to gain access to sensitive information, they use telephones to their unlawful advantage. Vishing is the term for criminal attempts to influence action or gain confidential information over the phone using social engineering.
How it Works:
Criminals have the ability to call from a blocked, “spoofed,” or private number, making it easier to pose as a fellow employee, an authority figure, or any person or organization that you would commonly interact with.
Any information regarding the processes or technologies a company uses would assist in a breach of an organization. Information that you may not consider very sensitive, such as employee names, titles, or ID numbers, could certainly help these criminals.
Don’t Fall for These Phony Attempts
Think twice about giving out personal information to someone who claims to be from a different organization, or within your organization, unless you initiated the call yourself and you are certain the number called was valid. If someone contacts you requesting sensitive information, you can check the caller’s validity by asking to speak to their supervisor, or tell them you will call back, which will buy you time to investigate the request.
Vishing is not limited to gaining data from King County, as vishers are also known to prey on your personal information. Remember to stop, look, and think before answering unfamiliar numbers, or before calling phone numbers you see in emails, internet ads, or pop-ups.
For more information, contact kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.
Pet of the Week: Zoa
Hi, I'm Zoa, a seven-moth-old female who is looking for a forever home. I'm a sweet young lady who might be timid at first until we get to know each other. I'd probably do best as the only cat in the house.
You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has returned to walk-in services.
Learn more about the adoption process on our website. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC by phone at 206-296-PETS (7387) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.
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Featured Job: Safety, Security and Fare Enforcement Project Manager
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King County Headlines
Public Health Insider: Update on local monkeypox virus (MPV) cases
Executive Constantine announces $4.6 million to promote equitable access to youth sports and outdoor recreation
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