Executive and County Council proclaim June 19 as Juneteenth; County offices will be closed
In recognition that Juneteenth commemorates the traditional observance of the end of slavery in the United States, Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council have declared June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth. Read the full proclamation.
In observance of Juneteenth, King County government offices will be closed on Monday, June 19. Metro Transit buses will operate on regular weekday schedules. All offices will be back on schedule Tuesday, June 20. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe, and healthy, and reflective Juneteenth holiday.
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DES Director Caroline Whalen announces retirement after 29-year career
Caroline Whalen, Director of the Department of Executive Services (DES), has announced that she will retire from King County in early September 2023.
“I appointed Caroline our DES Director back in 2010 and she has proved time and again to be one of King County’s most effective and respected leaders, one who leads by example with both words and actions,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “As sad as I am to see Caroline go after a stellar 29-year King County career, I am incredibly grateful for her many years of service and counsel. She will be sorely missed.” Read more.
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Fourth Avenue entrance to King County Courthouse closed, Third Avenue entrance reopens
The Fourth Avenue entrance to the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle is closed for necessary repairs, and the Third Avenue entrance has resumed serving as the primary access point to the building moving forward.
Executive Constantine at the reopened Third Avenue entrance.
Employees, jurors, and other visitors to the Courthouse Building should allow additional time to gain access and clear security screening on Third Avenue during this transition. Temporary signage will be installed to provide directions to users of the building. King County employees will still be able to access the Courthouse Building through the Administration Building and Goat Hill Garage tunnels. Read more.
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Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month for March and April 2023
They are our “rolling ambassadors,” the kind, courteous and helpful smile that greets you every day when you ride with us.
Outside of work, they enjoy listening to live music, traveling, astronomy, motorcycle drag racing, and remote-control car racing!
They represent more than two centuries of experience behind the wheel. The operators who drive your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community. Meet your Metro Operators of the Month for March and April here.
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Safety Tip: Safe Commute Options
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, communities, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities.
King County offers employees a variety of Safe Commute Options to help you arrive to your destination with confidence. The Walkpool, Walking Bus, and Vanpool programs provided by the Employee Transportation Program are available for your benefit. Check out the Safe Commute Options video to learn more.
For more information on employee safety programs and resources, see the Future of Work Personal Safety at Work intranet page (employees only) and the Safety at Work page.
Providing support and care for people with substance use disorder: Treatment access in King County
Corss-posted from Cultivating Connections
In recent years, the pandemic has had a profound effect on mental health and substance use, with increasing numbers of people experiencing anxiety, depression, and loneliness. In 2021, there were over 106,600 deaths due to drug overdose in the U.S. — the highest on record. This reality is felt across the country, including here in King County, where we’ve seen a rise in substance use and overdose deaths. In the face of these tragic impacts, it is important to know where to get help and how to support someone in your community.
King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is acting in partnership with Public Health — Seattle & King County to bring more treatment and resources to communities around the county. Read more.
Save the date: Disability Pride Month event
In celebration of Disability Pride Month, the Disability Awareness Month Committee is hosting a Lunch and Learn discussion that will focus on key figures in the Disability Rights Movement, to be held via Zoom. There will be three short videos followed by an open dialogue facilitated by committee members.
All King County employees are welcome to join.
- Wednesday, July 12 from noon to 1 p.m. Look for an announcement providing the Zoom link.
The event will include an ASL interpreter and closed captioning. If you need additional accommodations, please email Christina Davidson at Christina.Davidson@kingcounty.gov.
Photo courtesy of the New York Times.
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Get Movin' with Balanced You returns
After much anticipation, the Get Movin’ with Balanced You virtual movement breaks are back! Balanced You has partnered with Vivecorp to bring you free bi-weekly 30-minute workouts to break up your workday. Each session is run by a certified trainer. Learn how to properly do various exercises during live yoga, stretching, cardio, and strengthening sessions.
Classes are for all levels from beginner to advanced. No special gear is needed, the sessions are all body weight movement. A yoga mat is optional.
Click here to view the new schedule or register for the next session below.
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Balanced You Self-care Webinar: Tips to Beat the Burnout
Summer is approaching and this time of year is typically when many of us experience mid-year burnout. Join Balanced You and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a discussion on how to identify common and not-so-common signs of burnout, techniques to get through it, and suggestions on how teams can support each other to lessen burnout.
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Training Spotlight:
Brain-based Time Management – Online – Do you procrastinate, get distracted, have a hard time prioritizing, or feel overwhelmed? What we do and how we do it are driven by how our brains are wired. Neuroscience tells us we have 10 brain skills and each one of us has skills that are strong (and skills that are not so strong). In this class, you’ll hear about each of these skills so you can identify where the weak areas are for you and most importantly, learn what you can do about it. Imagine finishing your workday with confidence that you remembered and handled everything you needed to!
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.
Communication and Problem-Solving Skills – Online – Join instructor Lenny Borer for this two-day training. He will address communication and problem-solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, handling conflicts, and managing defensive behavior. Participants will be able to name and demonstrate active listening skills and assertive verbal skills, identify the differences between aggressive and assertive behavior, learn how to deal with defensive behavior, and learn the 7-step problem solving process. Attendance at both days is required for completion of the class.
- Tuesday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 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 kingcounty.gov/learning.
Pet of the Week: Sitka
Hi, I'm Sitka, a male German Shepherd and Mastiff mix who is looking for a new home! I'm a smart dog, I know how to 'sit', 'come', 'down', and 'shake'. I am independent, full of energy and love to play and I am at my best when I have lots of exercise and something to keep my mind busy.
Find out more about me and my firends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov. RASKC is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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Best Starts for Kids | Project Program Manager II – CDIP
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King County Headlines
Rabid bat found in King County: What you should know to protect yourself, your family, and your pets
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