Recognizing DAJD staff during National Correctional Officers and Employees Week
Please join us in acknowledging National Correctional Officers and Employees Week from May 7 to 13.
This is a special opportunity to honor the Corrections Officers, Juvenile Detention Officers, and staff in other varied positions at King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). These professionals are responsible for operating safe, secure, and humane detention facilities and community corrections programs.
National Correctional Officers Week started in 1984. In 1996, Congress officially modified it to “National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.”
DAJD’s employees often encounter people at the worst time in their lives, after they’ve entered the criminal legal system. DAJD is entrusted with a crucial and challenging role at the intersection of public safety, public health, and the courts. Too often, the compassion DAJD professionals bring to their jobs goes unnoticed. During National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, King County recognizes and appreciates the hard work of DAJD staff as they diligently serve our community and help save and change lives for the better.
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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 – 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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‘People need us out there’ Metro Ambassadors engage and inform
Crossposted from Metro Matters
You might see “‘blue jackets” at transit centers, outside schools or on your way to a game at Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park. The people wearing the jackets are Metro Ambassadors and they are there to answer your questions, point you in the right direction and may even have some swag for you.
“I see this as a way to get comfort back,” said ambassador Royce Williams. “To make people comfortable about riding the bus again.” Read more.
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Safety video: Walkpools = safety in numbers
 Our first priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities.
Here's another tip to help you stay safe. Walkpooling is a buddy-up initiative that helps employees travel safely by walking to and from work with a buddy. Walkpools are an option if you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations.
Walkpools give you safety in numbers, a boost in your daily step count, and can lead to new and stronger friendships with your walkpool buddies. Check out our video, or visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information. Watch for additional videos with safety tips this year.
For more information on employee safety programs and resources, check out the Future of Work Personal Safety at Work intranet page (employees only) and www.kingcounty.gov/employeesafety.
How the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency impacts your employee medical and pharmacy benefits
During the COVID-19 National Emergency and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, some benefit coverages expanded temporarily to make it easier for employees to receive care. These emergencies officially end on May 11, 2023, and many of the expanded benefits will return to normal coverage levels and regular deductibles, copays, and coinsurance will apply.
Items that will no longer be covered
- Over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered and will be an out-of-pocket expense.
Read more.
Grab the hiking boots, leave the car! Trailhead Direct returns May 13
King County’s Trailhead Direct, the weekends and holidays transit-to-trails service, will begin its fifth season on Saturday, May 13, and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Metro and King County Parks, with the support of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Amazon, are working together to provide funding for the 2023 season.
This summer, Trailhead Direct continues to focus the transit-to-trails service on the most popular route with stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si. Riders can take the bus, Sound Transit Link light rail, or bike to get to the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station, where Trailhead Direct coaches will depart every 30 minutes. The 2023 season will include service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Watch the informative video and read more in the official press release.
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Mental health screening
May is Mental Health Month and it’s a good time to learn about some of the tools, programs, and resources available to support you or your loved ones.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening. Go to Mental Health America for a free screening.
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Free crisis hotline available
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, any other kind of emotional distress. Non-English Speakers can call 988 and simply say the name of your preferred language to be connected to an interpreter. People who are hearing impaired can use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
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New PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors Course in NEOGOV Learn
The PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors on-demand course is now available on NEOGOV Learn. This course introduces managers and supervisors to the Manager Self Service module in PeopleSoft. With your NEOGOV account, you can take this course anytime and anywhere.
In this course, you will learn how King County managers and supervisors use Manager Self Service. This learning experience covers four main modules:
- Basic PeopleSoft navigation
- Commonly used Manager Self Service tiles
- The time approval process (complete with an interactive software simulation)
- Helpful tips and resources
For managers, supervisors, or those aspiring to the role, this course can be found here. Enroll now. For questions, please email BRCTraining@kingcounty.gov.
Annual Big Backyard 5k June 4
Registration for the 13th Annual Big Backyard 5k is now open. Run, walk, or roll through Marymoor Park to support King County Parks. King County employees can enter an exclusive code KCP10 to receive a 10% registration discount.
Deadline to register is May 31. For more information click here.
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King County Disability Equity Network meeting May 12
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 King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) will host its next business meeting on Friday, May 12, from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to join the meeting.
Live captioning is available. Future KCDEN business meetings will occur on the second Friday of each month at noon.
Agenda items include discussion of collaboration and feedback opportunities regarding to the 2024 OERSJ Strategic Plan, and continued planning related to KCDEN events in July and October 2023.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov.
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Training Spotlight
Introduction to Public Speaking – N. Seattle College Campus, CC Bldg., Room 3457 – Would you like to reduce stage fright and gain more confidence speaking in front of a group? Whether you need to give a formal presentation or an informal presentation at a staff meeting, learning key skills will increase your effectiveness and self-confidence. In this course you will learn strategies to deal with nervousness, plan and deliver an effective presentation, and practice presentation techniques to capture audience attention.
- Thursdays, May 11-25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.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: King Tut
My name is King Tut, and I am available for adoption. I weigh 43.5 lbs. and could use a little more weight on me am considered a medium breed dog.
I am full of energy, and I love to play! I tend to calm down more when the people around me stay calm. I do best when I have lots of exercise and something to keep my mind busy. My caregivers have noticed that I seem to do well with other large dogs. When meeting dogs in a new home, I would do best with a slow introduction. I would do best in a home with older children.
You can find out more about me and my friends on the Tails from RASKC blog. 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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Featured Job: Communications Specialist IV
Salary: $99,024.43 - $125,519.26 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2023EM18793
Department: DHR - Dept. of Human Resources
Division: HR Director's Office
Opening Date: 04/28/2023
Closing Date: May 14, 2023 11:59 PM Pacific time
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: F3A : L117-P&T
The Communications Specialist IV will have responsibility to plan, develop, and implement innovative internal and external communications for King County employees and residents on a wide variety of topics that support the employee experience, promote King County to prospective employees, share our stories with employees and residents, and support senior County leaders. They will collaborate with employees and other internal partners to create a culture in which employees are engaged and supported to use their talents to make a difference in our communities.
Learn more about this position and view all available positions.
King County Headlines
Keeping King County Green: GROW is growing: from Friends of the P-Patch to a regional community gardening leader
Public Health Insider: Celebrating the opening of a new school-based health center at Highline High School
Captain's Blog: Bike + Water Taxi: Great partners for your next trip!
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