We make a difference through the Annual Giving Drive

Message from Dow Constantine, King County Executive

Each year, employees in every department and every branch of our government join together in the spirit of giving and community during King County’s Annual Giving Drive. It is a time that demonstrates the power of our collective giving in support of the causes that are important to us.

At a time when many communities – here at home and around the world – have been devastated by natural disasters, our support can help them recover, build resilience, and thrive once again. Read more.

Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 20

King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness. Read more.

Your ID/ORCA card transit benefits and resources for a safer commute  

As a King County employee, your employee ID/ORCA card opens up a world of public transit options in our region. If you’re eligible for commute benefits, one tap of your card pays your fare on a variety of regular services.

Whether it’s bus, rail, or boat, find out more about your transit options on the Employee Transportation Program webpage. In addition to these transit options, employees can access a range of options for a safer commute. Read more. 

Executive Constantine and Mayor Harrell announce new agreement on City Hall Park

King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a new agreement regarding the future of City Hall Park that will result in the City retaining ownership and developing a plan to safely activate the park and fountain area in Prefontaine Park.

The new agreement will include the City of Seattle increasing activation, security, and a visible presence in the park following an expected vote by the City Council to pass the mayor’s proposed budget, which includes $2.8 million dedicated to the park. The City and County previously agreed to a land swap for 13 county-owned parcels in exchange for City Hall Park, and that agreement will now be cancelled. Read more.

Metro’s on-demand ridership Ride Pingo wins national award

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

King County Metro’s Ride Pingo to Transit, an on-demand service in Kent, is receiving national acclaim as winner of the Innovation Solutions Award.

Presented by trade industry publication METRO Magazine, the honor recognizes the success of the app-based service in providing connections to job centers for residents, especially those working nightshifts and swing shifts. Read more.

Smoky conditions likely to continue tomorrow

Smoke from wildfires is affecting some areas in King County today and tomorrow. While the forecast has smoke decreasing later this week, air quality may change frequently throughout the day, and may be different from location to location.

Check airnow.gov and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for updates. Read more.

Supporting people living with disabilities through the 2022 Annual Giving Drive   

This week, as part of the 2022 Annual Giving Drive, nonprofits are being highlighted whose work supports people living with disabilities.

• Hearing, Speech and Deaf Center (HSDC) (9267)
• Canine Partners for Life (5085)
• Autism Speaks, Pacific Northwest (4083)
• Community Homes, Inc (5720)
• Outdoors for All Foundation (2797)

These and hundreds of other nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. You can go online or use a paper form by Friday, Nov. 18, to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits. Read more.

King County Affinity Group celebrates National LGBTQ+ History Month by highlighting poet Ifti Nasim                     

This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate Ifti Nasim, a gay Pakistani-American poet. Nasim published what is believed to be the first poetry collection openly expressing queer themes in the Urdu language. Learn more about Nasim and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History.

If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov.

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

Employee Giving Program Nonprofit Expo Series: Youth Development

The 2022 Employee Giving Program is underway and the virtual Nonprofit Expo Series is every Wednesday through Nov. 16. 

The next session will be for organizations focused on youth development with representatives from Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Living Voices, Unleash the Brilliance, and Pongo Poetry Project. Read more. 

• Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here.

Join the Employee Giving Program via Teams to learn about nonprofits engaged in the work you care about. 

Veterans and Military Affinity Group event celebrates Latinx/Hispanic service members 

The monthly King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group (V-MAG) meeting will feature a presentation honoring and celebrating the service, history, and heritage of Latinx/Hispanic service members and their contributions to the US military. The meeting is open to all employees who are currently serving or who are former members of the military and their allies, as well as their family members and partners. To be added to the meeting invite send an email to vet.milag@kingcounty.gov.

• Wednesday, Oct. 19 at noon. Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 848 5343 5901; Passcode: 686182

Upcoming flu shot clinics

The county makes it free for employees and anyone covered by your benefits to get a flu shot at one of our onsite clinics, or at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. The Balanced You team is again organizing free onsite flu shot clinics for those workers onsite. Appointments ahead of time are highly encouraged. Read about free onsite flu shot clinics and schedule your appointment here.  

Upcoming flu shot clinics:

• Cadman Roads: Thursday, Oct. 20 from 7 to 8 a.m.
• King Street Center: Monday, Oct. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• West Point Treatment Plant: Thursday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 a.m.
• Black Diamond Roads: Thursday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 a.m.
• Superior Courthouse: Friday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 9:30 a.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Benefits-covered employees who are telecommuting and their insurance-covered family members may find it more convenient to go to their healthcare provider’s office or a local pharmacy for their free flu shot. Learn more about how to get a flu shot through your provider or local pharmacy. 

The Anti-Racist White Action Group needs your ideas

Join us for the monthly Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG) meeting. This month, we’re continuing work on our Fall Racial Justice Idea Drive, where we will discuss and prioritize ideas for racial justice projects we can undertake and sustain in the coming year. We’ll also talk about current events in the news. Hope to see you there!

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Join via Zoom.

ARWAG is one of the county’s Affinity Groups (also called Employee Resource Groups) that addresses racism and other forms of oppression to advance the county’s equity and social justice goals. Email arwag@kingcounty.gov to join this group, get the meeting notices, or for any questions.

Administrative Professionals Networking Event, Oct. 25

In the next Administrative Professionals Networking Event, Susan Navetski, Career Support Services program manager for the Department of Human Resources, will give an informational brief and answer questions about the Coalition Labor Agreement’s Professional Development Scholarship. Find out if you are eligible for this career-boosting opportunity and learn about best practices to prepare a strong application.

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.

Balanced You Coffee Connections virtual event: Stretching 101 

All employees are invited to joing the next Balanced You virtual Coffee Connections event. Learn basic stretching exercises to help your body remain flexible and relaxed as the weather gets colder. 

• Wednesday, Oct. 26  from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.

Professional Development Scholarship Information Sessions

The Department of Human Resources' Career Support Services is hosting general information sessions for the Coalition Labor Agreement’s Professional Development Scholarship throughout October to help you prepare for the first application period in January.

Topics covered during this session include:

• Eligibility criteria
• 2023 timelines
• Application rating criteria
• How awards will be made
• Individual Development Plan
• Available resources

There will be an open Q&A at the end to answer any questions about this career-boosting opportunity. 

• Thursday, Oct. 27 from 9 to 10 a.m. Register here.

Featured Job: Social Services Coordinator/Social Services Specialist - King County Veterans Program (KCVP)