Focus on values: We respect all people
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently relaunched the True North and Executive branch values with a monthly focus on each of the values to help us gain a deeper understanding of them and how we apply them to our work.
This month, we are focusing on the value “We respect all people.” It doesn’t matter where we work at the County; it is imperative that we treat every person we work alongside and serve with respect. Respect is the foundation of everything we do, and we need to seek to understand all perspectives, beliefs, and values. Watch the video here and read the Executive’s message here.
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Digging in with natural yard care this spring helps protect people and prevents pollution
From Keeping King County Green
Using natural yard care methods in your garden or yard this spring will not only result in vibrant green spaces, but it will also protect people, pets, and wildlife from exposure to harmful chemicals and prevent pollution of local waterways.
In King County, people can access free, sustainable garden and yard care information. Read more.
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Do you have an idea for Employee News?
King County employees and teams are passionate about the work they do for the people they serve, yet a lot of this work is done behind-the-scenes and away from the spotlight.
At Employee News, we want to highlight the great work that employees are doing across departments, branches, and agencies. Do you have an idea for an employee, team, or program that should be highlighted? We want to hear from you!
Email kcemployees@kingcounty.gov and share some details with us, including the program or employees, and a person to contact. We email two editions of Employees News each week – every Tuesday and Thursday – to all King County employees, so there are plenty of opportunities to share your news.
Thank you for everything you do for King County and its residents. We look forward to sharing your stories.
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Guided by community voices, Michael Carter builds King County’s first Green Jobs Program
From Keeping King County Green
As King County’s first Green Jobs Program Manager, Michael Carter knew his initial task would be to do a lot of listening.
Working out of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director’s Office, Michael was asked to develop a countywide green jobs strategy – and that meant listening to the communities we serve, as well as partner employers and organizations. Read more.
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Tech Tip: See what’s new in Microsoft Teams Meetings
Think you know everything about Teams Meetings? Think again! The platform has steadily improved since King County first switched at the beginning of the pandemic. Join expert guest speakers from Microsoft as they demonstrate all the helpful updates and new features you might have missed.
Missed our last webinar? Watch the recording of Using Stream for Videos. Microsoft Stream lets any King County employee record, upload, discover, share, manage, and play videos. Stream is available in King County as part of Microsoft 365. Learn about Stream (Classic) features as well as the new Stream for SharePoint.
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Attend an upcoming mindfulness class
Mindful Leadership: Being present as a leader
Explore who you are as a leader and clarify what makes effective leaders and leadership in the situation you work in. Learn tools of mindfulness to increase your awareness of who you are in stressful leadership situations and develop ways to stay more grounded and present with those you lead.
Mindful Relationships: How do you relate?
How do we cultivate the feelings of safety, security, and well-being we need to feel connected? Mindfulness can help. We feel it, and neuroscience proves it: human beings need connection to thrive in all relationships – at home, at work, and in the world. By bringing mindfulness to our interactions, we can enrich all our relationships through the cultivation of safety, security, and well-being. Get to the root of harmful relationship patterns such as blame, defensiveness, avoiding conflict, and shutting down in this workshop on bringing mindfulness to how you relate to others.
View the full mindfulness schedule here.
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Disability Equity Network business meeting April 14
King County Disability Equity Network (formerly the King County Disability Affinity Group) meetings are open to King County employees. The purpose is to center and support those employees who self-identify as a person with a disability. Employees will not be asked to disclose any information regarding one’s disability.
The agenda items for the next meeting include collaboration efforts with King County Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EIB) managers, and continued conversation about disability-focused events in July and October 2023.
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Friday, April 14 from noon to 1 p.m. Join via Teams. Live captioning is available.
Future KCDEN business meetings will occur on the second Friday of each month at noon. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov.
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Join the Balanced You Wellness and Self-Care Challenge
Spring is here! What better time to pause and make sure we are taking care of ourselves. Join Balanced You and fellow King County employees for a Wellness and Self-Care Challenge during the month of April.
The challenge gives attention to wellness by incorporating three self-care habits a week. Follow along in Employee News and Wellness Wednesday each week for the challenge of the day or download the wellness challenge journal to track your progress and take notes.
Today’s Challenge: Schedule a workout
Being physically active can help your mental health, reduce the risk of disease, and strengthen bones and muscles. Balanced You partners with Vivecorp to provide free online exercise classes. Certified instructors teach yoga, stretching, strength training, and cardio. Try a class here.
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Now is the time to invite nonprofits to participate in the Annual Giving Drive
Nominate a nonprofit for inclusion in the Annual Giving Drive, and they will be contacted when the application cycle opens later this spring.
All nonprofits must apply and meet eligibility requirements annually in order to be included in the Annual Giving Drive. Read more.
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Training Spotlight:
Discover Sign Language – Online – Discover Sign Language will teach you how to sign basic phrases and complete sentences and how to put it all together, allowing you to introduce yourself and start a conversation. Along the way, you will learn signs for colors, numbers, locations, family, and the activities you like to do. Throughout the course, you will learn by watching videos that demonstrate how to make the signs and how to incorporate facial expressions to communicate in this beautiful language. This is a 6-week course offered through Seattle Central College.
Keys to Effective Communication – Online – If you often find yourself at a loss for words or lack confidence in your communication abilities, you will appreciate this course. Each lesson works through the step-by-step process needed to become a great conversationalist. You will learn to use communication to build rapport and create environments of trust, warmth, and respect. Become more confident, create a great first impression, get along well with others, and create more and better personal and professional relationships. This is a six-week course offered through Seattle Central College.
Chinese Level I – Online – In this weekly class, you will learn basic Chinese characters, vocabulary and expressions commonly used in everyday life. Practice pronunciation, tones, reading and writing, as well as essential grammar. This class will prepare you to build basic Chinese conversational skills in familiar topics. You will also have the opportunity explore traditional and modern Chinese cultures. No prior knowledge or experience are required.
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Wednesdays, April 12 through June 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. Fees apply. Register here.
Grant-Writing – Online – Take the mystery out of grant writing in this content-rich and hands-on course designed to dramatically improve your grant writing skills. You'll learn how to research potential funders, analyze their requirements, and assemble the components of grant proposals essential to receiving funding. You'll also gain the tools to write a compelling narrative, create a project budget, and provide accurate reporting so that funders say "yes" again and again. Bring to class a project or nonprofit you want to support and be prepared to write outside of class.
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Fridays, April 14 through May 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. Fees apply. Register here.
Please visit the King County Eventbrite website, Learning and Development website, and Career Support Services website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Pet of the Week: Chief
Hi, I'm Chief, a two-year-old short-hair male rabbit looking for a forever home! I love it when you spend time on the floor with me and give me lots of greens and timothy hay.
You can find out more about me and my 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.
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Finance and Administrative Services Manager - Departement of Public Health Controller
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King County Headlines
Metro Matters: Photomurals celebrating indigenous elders first of new bus shelter art
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