Congratulations to the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County who bring a Best-Run Government approach to their work, and have made exceptional contributions in performance, leadership, and innovation.
In a series of videos, several King County leaders, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, announced the recipients of the eight Performance Excellence Awards: five innovation awards – people, cost, service, sustainability, and equity and social justice – and three leadership awards – for people leaders, individual contributors, and the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award for senior leaders.
“The awards honor individuals and teams who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and problem solving in their work,” Executive Constantine said in his introduction to the awards. “They recognize employees who constantly strive for continuous improvement and can point to measurable results. And they celebrate colleagues who model our values and bring a Best-Run Government approach to their work.” See the announcement and watch the videos here.
Executive proclaims May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day
In recognition of their contributions to the communities and families they serve in King County, the region, and the country, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day.
“King County recognizes that the child care workforce has been a lifeline for families, communities, and the economy and as such, has taken steps to prioritize equitable access for families and increased workforce wages through its Best Starts for Kids initiative, and child care health and safety through Public Health's Child Care Health Program,” Executive Constantine said in the Proclamation. Read the full proclamation.
Employee Spotlights
King County takes part in Women in Trades Fair
Several King County departments participated in last Friday's Women in Trades Fair at Seattle Center. Hear from two Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) employees – operators Alyssa Moreno and Kylie Turner – about their experiences in their jobs and working at WTD.
Follow King County on LinkedIn for news about fellow employees, job opportunities, county initiatives, and more.
Award-winning communications: DNRP brought home national awards in four categories
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) is excited to announce that we received awards in four categories from the National Association of Government Communicators, the most prestigious awards in our industry. The Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards were announced during this year’s national conference hosted on April 19 in Portland.
Working Without a Net
We received first place in the Working Without a Net category for a hosting a dual livestream aboard our research vessel, SoundGuardian, as scientists measured the underwater noise of Puget Sound that poses multiple risks to southern resident orcas. Read more.
Announcements
Metro will adjust schedules on Sept. 2 to improve trip reliability
King County Metro will increase reliability and build resiliency with its fall update to transit schedules. The agency currently is delivering 95% of more than 11,200 daily bus trips while facing challenges with canceled trips. The changes beginning in September will ensure riders can have confidence knowing that Metro will be there no matter where they need to go.
To ensure transit services are in sync with fleet availability and its workforce, Metro will focus upcoming revisions on 20 low-ridership routes, and 92% of boardings will not be directly impacted. These changes will help prevent last-minute cancellations and improve reliability for riders. Metro will help connect riders with other transit options for nearly all the impacted routes. Read more.
Hot weather is on the way
Hotter than normal weather is forecast for our region after a cooler start to spring. Here are some tips from Public Health – Seattle & King County to help you manage the heat:
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. Plan your trip ahead of time and wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable, low profile, and appropriate for the weather. Don’t carry too much and try not to carry anything in your hands. If you carry a purse, carry it close to you, and never carry a wallet in your back pocket or a jacket or sweater pocket.
Check out our video and watch for additional videos with safety tips this year.
The King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group and King County Veteran’s Program would like to remind all County employees who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces that the Veteran’s Administration (VA) has launched a new appointment scheduler to connect you with VA Benefits Counselors.
The Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) is a streamlined scheduling process for in-person or online appointments to learn about your benefits and how to navigate the VA’s processes. This is a useful resource for those with questions about benefit eligibility, or in need of assistance filing a disability claim or appeal.
This resource is open to all veterans regardless of residence or income. Please visit the VA Seattle Regional Office website for more information.
Mental Health Month: Creating a healthy home environment
This year, Mental Health America has focused Mental Health Month on encouraging us to “Look around, Look within,” sharing suggestions on ways to improve our surroundings in order to improve our mental health, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Optimizing our space to improve our mental health is something that anyone can benefit from. It is one tool of many that can be used to improve and support your mental well-being.
Go to the Balanced You blog for helpful some tips to shape your home environment, improve sleep quality and create comfort.
Mental Health Resources: Making Life Easier
For personal life challenges, Making Life Easier (MLE) provides free counseling and support services to all King County employees, their dependent family members, and anyone living in an employee’s home. MLE offers referrals to therapists and coverage for eight free sessions per topic per year. Many therapists also contract with the Regence and Kaiser Permanente Health Plans so MLE can make a referral for you to a therapist who is also in your health plan network. In that way, if you need more than eight sessions, your health plan benefits will cover your therapy sessions starting with the ninth visit.
Currently MLE has a 2.5 day turnaround from the time you talk to a Wellspring representative to the time a therapist contacts you. Access the program at kcmakinglifeeasier.com with username King County, or call 1-888-874-7290.
Training Spotlight
Mentorship Lunch and Learn – Online – Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence.
Hi, our names are Jet and Jane and we're available for adoption! We are two-year-old old black domestic short hair rabbits (Jet ID #A684916 and Jane ID #A684917). We are bonded sisters and love to do everything together! We eat, nap, play...and even poop together! We would love a forever home where we can spend the rest of our days together with a loving family!
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.
Featured Job: Customer Service Assistant
Salary: $27.91 - $35.40 Hourly
Location: Kent, WA
Job Type: Regular, Full time, 35 hrs/week
Job Number: 2023-18977
Department: KCSC - Superior Court
Division: Family Court Ops
Opening Date: 05/10/2023
Closing Date: May 26, 2023 11:59 PM Pacific time
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z5 : Superior Ct Guidelines
Responsibilities for this role include providing customer service that typically involves receiving and handling callers' inquiries and/or complaints and responding to information requests. Duties involve explaining programs, services, policies, and/or procedures. The incumbent dialogues with the customer to obtain needed information, clarify what is desired, and/or determine how service can best be rendered. The incumbent provides information that requires understanding and an application of established policies, programs, and procedures.
