Innovative foster program helps kittens and youth
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Barbara Ramey, a Communications Specialist for Executive Services, posted a first-person account about her visit to Echo Glen Children’s Center to see a volunteer program for Regional Animal Services of King County up close.
Echo Glen is a detention center for juvenile felons run by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The idea behind the program is to give the young people skills they need to make different choices. "The kids respond very well to the kittens,” the story states. Read more.
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Sheriff's deputies attend Skyway community Easter event
From the Sheriff's Newsletter
The King County Sheriff’s Office hopped into the Skyway Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Easter Egg Party recently. The deputies celebrated with 75 young Skyway residents and their families. The VFW provided cookie decorating, arts and crafts, lunch, lemonade, and a huge Easter Egg hunt for the children.
Eggs were filled with sweet treats and tickets for prizes, and the spring showers didn’t dampen spirits with the hunt being held indoors. Children and their families left with full stomachs, stuffed Easter bags, and smiles all around.
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Metro welcomes new Transit Police Chief Todd Morrell
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
Todd Morrell has been selected as the new Chief for the Metro Transit Police following a competitive recruitment process. Morrell boasts more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
As an ardent supporter of transit, Morrell recognizes how vital the role mobility plays in helping our communities succeed and thrive. Read more.
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What did it take to become a female operator at a King County wastewater treatment plant?
Cross posted from Clean Water Stories
Pam Restovic made history as a woman in the trades, working as a wastewater operator in the early days of the Clean Water Act. This law set new regulations to protect our nation’s waters from pollution and created new jobs across the country.
Like many women at the time, Pam didn’t envision this career path. She grew up in Santiago, Chile and immigrated to the U.S. for school at age 20. After graduating from college, she was working as a waitress when a customer who worked in wastewater operations encouraged her to apply for an open position at King County’s West Point Treatment Plant. She was attracted to the steady career and an opportunity to protect the environment. Read more.
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What you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green
A recent first-of-its-kind study led by King County shows greenhouse gas emissions per person decreased. We are all doing more to protect the environment.
But total emissions increased, in part, because more people moved here. To read more and watch a video about what you can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, click here.
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KCSO Search and Rescue Team assists in finding missing pilot
From the Sheriff's newsletter
KCSO's Detective Ed Christian and his Search and Rescue Team assisted the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) State Aeronautics Division in locating a pilot and his plane after they disappeared off radar a month ago. See the full story here.
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Balanced You Wellness and Self-Care Challenge
Join Balanced You and fellow King County employees for a Wellness and Self-Care Challenge during the month of April.
Today’s Challenge: Learn about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Often things come up at work that we may need outside help with. EAP counselors can help you with workplace stress, coaching and consulting, conflict with co-workers, and supervisor support. You can contact EAP to make an appointment at 206-263-8733, or for more information email HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov.
We will give attention to our 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.
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VMAG monthly meeting April 19
The King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group (VMAG) monthly meeting will feature a presentation on the various programs offered under Balanced You.
- Wednesday, April 19 at noon via Teams
The meeting is open to all employees who are currently serving or 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.
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APP Presents: Administrative Professionals Day
Please join us for our annual event on Administrative Professionals Day! This year’s theme is “The Power of You.”
We will welcome speakers from various King County departments. Come together to recognize and appreciate the administrative professionals who keep the County running smoothly. Visit the King County Administrative Professionals Program website to learn more.
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Wednesday, April 26, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join via Teams. Meeting ID: 294 988 539 325; passcode: NXaSkn
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Second Professional Development Scholarship Launches Monday, May 8.
The second and final application period for the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship Program opens May 8 to June 4, 2023. The Scholarship Program is a benefit offered as part of the 2022–2024 Coalition Labor Agreement and is only open to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition.
Applicants should familiarize themselves with the revised supplemental questions, rating criteria, and Individual Development Plan, which is highly recommended but not required. Scholarship award recipients who did not receive the full $3,000 from the January/February 2023 period may reapply to receive the remaining difference this period to pay for additional training.
The Scholarship Program is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU, and is designed to assist eligible employees with their professional development by providing financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
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Upcoming financial literacy webinars
As part of King County’s commitment to employee wellness, Balanced You observes Financial Literacy month. Financial wellness is a key component to overall wellness. This week, we are highlighting upcoming educational webinars from My Secure Advantage (MSA). King County partners with MSA to provide employees with tools and education that support you in reaching your financial goals. Webinars are free.
Balancing your financial and emotional well-being - Stress is something we all experience. Financial and emotional strains are both common, routinely appear together, and can significantly influence our lives. Successfully reducing these stressors is key to overall wellness. We’ll walk through several financial and emotional challenges and offer tips on how to manage them. We'll also talk about how to work with resources and how professionals can help.
Mortgage basics - Obtaining your mortgage doesn't have to feel scary or overwhelming when you know what to expect. Let us help simplify the major components of a mortgage for you. We’ll explain where to start, the requirements of different types of loans, and how you might choose what's best. We’ll also dive into interest rates and how they can affect your payment. Finally, we'll discuss closing costs and the fees associated with getting a loan.
Register even if you cannot attend to receive a recording of the webinar. Want to learn more about these topics? Connect with MSA at kingcounty.mysecureadvantage.com or call 888-874-7290.
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BECU home loan discount for King County employees
King County employees who join BECU (Boeng Employees Credit Union) are eligible for home loan discounts through June 30, 2023.
Members receive competitive rates, credits on closing costs, and savings on fees. To learn more, click here.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Training Spotlight:
Brain-based Planning – online – Are you overwhelmed by your To Do list(s)? Find out what your brain needs to keep all your tasks in perspective, prioritize, and have a clear path to get them finished. This class includes information about multitasking, a mindfulness practice to reduce physical stress, and techniques to work with interruptions and distractions. We will also practice effective weekly planning.
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Friday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fees apply. Register here.
Facilitating Effective Meetings – online – This two-day training covers the skills used by a facilitator to design and run an effective meeting. How to be a better participant is also discussed. Topics include specific facilitation skills, group decision making skills, and how to deal with disruptive behaviors. In this class you will learn how to navigate difficult behaviors and keep meetings on track.
- Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. 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.
Featured Job: KCICN Finance and Rates Manager (Special Projects Manager I)
Salary: $108,878.43 - $138,010.08 annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DCHS - Community and Human Services
Job Number: 2023SC18627
Division: Commuity and Human Services Administration
Closes: April 22 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time
The Finance and Rates Manager will lead the strategic direction and operations of the Finance Team, be responsible for analyzing, evaluating and reporting the team's financials, and oversee all work products, deliverables and employee performance.
Learn more about this position and view all available positions.
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King County Headlines
Best Starts for Kids: Best Starts Child Care Subsidy reaching more than 1,800 children
Public Health Insider: Vending machines dispense critical tools for preventing overdose
Keeping King County Green: Celebrate Earth Day with our playlist
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