Executive Constantine announces $52 million in funding for open space preservation projects

Multiple projects throughout King County will receive a combined $52 million in open space preservation funding after a plan proposed by Executive Constantine has been approved by the King County Council.

The money will fund 36 projects that will increase access to greenspace and parks in underserved communities, acquire land for habitat restoration, protect tree canopy, and strengthen the local food system. Read more.

Honoring the legacy of Judge Patricia H. Clark

Judge Patricia H. Clark was a strong advocate for youth involved in the justice system. As a commissioner for King County Superior Court, Judge Clark handled many cases involving at-risk youth and children in need of services, also known as ARY and CHINS cases. In 1998, she joined the Superior Court bench, where she continued to serve until her retirement in 2013.

During her tenure, Judge Clark left her mark on Juvenile Court, including stints as chief juvenile judge and chief advocate. As mentioned in a 2019 story by Superior Court:

"[Clark] was innovative and worked tirelessly to build bridges with the community, always striving for fairness - telling anyone who would listen that we had to do better by our children."

Sadly, Judge Clark passed away on Nov. 7, 2015. In recognition of her decades of service and youth advocacy, the King County Council voted to name a new justice facility in Seattle's Squire Park neighborhood after Judge Clark.

All King County employees and residents are invited to continue to honor her legacy when referring to the facility in one of three ways:

• Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center (the official full name of the facility, suitable for all uses)
• Clark Children and Family Justice Center (a shortened reference also suitable for all uses)
• Clark CFJC or CCFJC (suitable for emails, staff memos, or other internal references to the facility, or in any second reference to the facility)

DES plays key role in severe weather response

Cross-posted from Executive Services Express

The Department of Executive Services (DES) regularly helps King County stay operational during severe weather, as safely as possible.

During the severe cold and ice that hit in late December, DES agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management and Facilities Management Division, helped senior county leaders make a rare decision: close county buildings and suspend most services for a day. Read more.

Black Women's Experience Project and Survey

A message from Anita Whitfield, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

The Black/African Women’s Affinity Group is conducting a study, called the ‘Black Women’s Experience Project,’ to identify and better understand the root causes of any issues that may lead to an unhealthy workplace culture for Black women and ultimately all employees.

A key part of the Black Women’s Experience Project is an all-employee survey, which we are inviting you to participate in between now and Feb. 20, 2023. While the study centers the experiences of Black women, we ultimately want to understand the experiences of all employees who may be experiencing inequities in the workplace. 

Responses to the survey are meant to collect general information on employee experiences and will be anonymous, with no personally identifying information. Please see the FAQs to learn more about the Black Women’s Experience Project.

If you have a specific concern about your experience as a county employee, please see the County anti-harassment policy for information about reporting those concerns.

Nominations open for Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards 

The Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards recognize individual employees and workgroups whose innovations and improvements are delivering excellence for our customers, our organization, and our region. 

This year, the awards will honor Executive branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity in the past 12 months. There are three award categories:

• Innovation Awards: People, Cost, Service, Equity and Social Justice, Climate and Environmental Stewardship
• Leadership Excellence Awards: People Leader, Individual Contributor, Fred Jarrett Award
• Road to Excellence Awards: Divisions that achieve Stabilization Level or higher on all categories of the Lean Maturity Model

The nomination period is open through Feb. 20, 2023, and anyone can nominate employees or teams for the Innovation and Leadership Awards. Review the nomination criteria here.

Learn how to boost your retirement savings

You are invited to learn more about saving for retirement with the King County Deferred Compensation Plan. The following one-hour online education sessions are coming up that offer retirement planning tools and strategies for saving, so that you can create the retirement you want.

Financial Wellness Overview: This session will identify five practical, actionable strategies and best practices that can help strengthen your long-term financial health. There are multiple sessions available: 

• Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Register here.

Roth Topics: Learn the difference between Roth contributions and pre-tax contributions. Also, explore the tax advantages and disadvantages each provide for your retirement savings. There are multiple sessions available.

• Thursday, Feb. 3 at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon. Register here.

Building a Retirement Investment Strategy: Learn the basics of investing. In this session, you’ll learn more about asset allocation, diversification considerations, and when to make adjustments to your 457 Plan account. There are multiple sessions available.

• Friday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Register here.

For more information about Deferred Compensation Plan education, go to the Deferred Compensation web page. If you have any questions, please contact KC Deferred Comp.

Balanced You Self-Care webinar series: Beginning the New Year with Grace

The new year is underway and with it, many of us have goals, dreams, and resolutions. The pressure to make everything happen as we juggle work and homelife can be overwhelming, so it's important we give ourselves and others grace to get through.

Join Karla Clark, Balanced You Employee Health & Wellness Specialist and Tee Lovelace, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor for a conversation on how to go into 2023 with a little less stress and a lot more joy!

• Thursday, Feb. 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. Register here.

Culinary Administration: Recipes for Administr-eating

King County’s Administrative Professional Partners is proud to present Culinary Administration: Recipes for Administr-eating, a collection of recipes submitted by Administrative Professionals throughout King County. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort.

To download the cookbook, click here - and enjoy!

Tech Tip: Practice good IT "hygiene" - restart your computer regularly

Did you know your computer’s operating system is updated several times a year? This update happens behind the scenes, but requires you to restart your computer. This restart can take several minutes. Your computer may offer to reschedule this required restart until later, but will only allow you to postpone once or twice – you can’t delay the update forever! Most updates include important features such as new virus protections that are critical for the safety of King County’s systems.

Please practice good IT “hygiene” and restart your computer regularly! Be sure your computer is connected to the internet at home or at the office, and is plugged into a power source. To avoid impacts to your daily work, KCIT recommends restarting your computer on a regular basis at a time that’s not impactful to your work (such as when you’re ready to log off for the day).

Pet of the Week: Gabby

Hi, my name is Gabby and I'm looking for a forever home. I'm a five-year-old female that loves to get attention and to give it back. I'm spirited and independent, but once we get to know each other, we'll be besties!

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has moved back to walk-in services. Find out more information about our adoption process on our website. If you have more questions, contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov. 

Featured Job: Program Project Manager II Liberation and Healing from Systemic Racism (LHSR) Contract Monitor