Employee News - Oct. 28

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 15

Open enrollment 2021 icons

Make the most of your robust King County employee benefits package by making informed decisions for next year during Open Enrollment, Nov. 1 – 15. Here’s how you can learn more:

When you are ready, Go to Open Enrollment  to log in from Nov. 1 through 15. For more information, click here.


ballot box hand

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2 

King County Elections (KCE) mailed out ballots to 1.4 million voters. If you have not received your ballot, you can access and print your ballot online and return it by mail or drop box, as you usually would.

Drop your ballot in one of the 74 drop box locations across the county by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2; drop it in the mail to be postmarked by Nov. 2; or visit a Vote Center. For more information, click here


Vaccination 2 women

Upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics for King County employees

In November, King County is hosting five COVID-19 worksite vaccination clinics open to all employees and family members ages 12 and older. All three vaccine types – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – are expected to be available.

The clinics are intended to support employees who are in the process of completing their initial COVID-19 vaccination series to comply with the Executive’s vaccination mandate.

In addition, COVID-19 booster shots will be available to those who are eligible. Although not currently required, booster shots are recommended and encouraged for specific populations, including people who work in occupational or institutional settings that put them at high risk for COVID-19.

Walk-ins are welcome, but you can schedule a time for your preferred vaccine. Click here to learn more. 


Vax video

Vaccine verification: What to expect

All people ages 12 and older are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter certain indoor and outdoor events and establishments in King County.

This requirement will help to protect customers and workers, protect our health care system (read a statement of support from the healthcare community), and prevent business closures as the Delta variant continues to spread in King County.

Check out this short video by King County TV about what to expect from this policy.


Employee Spotlights

diapers from deputies

Deputies deliver diapers to help Tukwila families in need

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

The cost of diapers can be a major problem for families. This problem has been made even greater recently by supply chain issues limiting diapers in many regions — and driving up their cost. That made the recent Diapers from Deputies drive such a great event for our community.

Deputies and personnel around the county participated in the diaper drive, which saw a total of 2,942 diapers and 2,700 baby wipes dropped off at the Tukwila Pantry Food Bank for families in need earlier this month.

Read the full story here. 


Announcements

access transport

Access Transportation broadens disability services in response to pandemic

Access Transportation is a transit service for eligible people with disabilities, taking them anywhere a Metro bus, Seattle streetcar, or Sound Transit light rail goes.

Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, and services across King County adjusted to the new reality of taking extra public health measures for safety and creating additional services supporting the community, Access took on extra responsibilities providing urgent assistance outside its normal sphere of responsibility.

Click here to read more.


Woman laptop wheelchair

King County Disability services, resources, and contact information

As employees of King County, our True North guides the work we do and the services we provide, “Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.”

As an employer, King County offers the same commitment to those who bring that mission to life. Guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and our pledge to equity and social justice, King County provides an array of services and support for employees with disabilities.

Click here to see the full list of resources.


egp Hope logo

Youth Development Expo on Nov. 3

King County Employee Giving Program’s 2021 Annual Giving Drive is underway and hundreds of nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. 

Housing and employment are two of the most important gateways to helping people establish a safe, healthy, and consistent environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty. 

Click here to read more about organizations dedicated to turning around the lives of those living homeless and in poverty in our communities. 

Online nonprofit expo: Youth Development. The next session in the series of expos focuses on agencies working in the field of youth development. 

Click here to view previous expo events. For more information, visit the Employee Giving Program at www.kingcounty.gov/giving


Doctor

Having a Primary Care Provider is good for your health

As we head into Open Enrollment, it’s a good time to re-prioritize our health care and make sure we have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) we are happy with. Research shows that people with a PCP enjoy better health outcomes, are more likely to receive high-value care, and report better satisfaction with their health care.

Read through the Balanced You blog to learn more about what types of providers are PCPs and how to find a PCP based on your insurance plan.

Next year, if you are enrolled in the KingCare Select medical plan, you must choose a PCP and let Regence know who you selected. If you don’t choose a PCP, Regence will assign one to you based on your area. You can change your PCP at any time. Watch this short video to learn more.


food bowl

Join Balanced You for the new Food and Body Liberation program

Balanced You's new pilot program, Food and Body Liberation, supports attendees in healing their relationship to food and body. Join this live, interactive overview session to learn more about the Health at Every Size approach, the six program workshops that will be offered through this series, and to connect to supportive resources.

After the overview, interested attendees can sign up for upcoming workshops that focus on awareness about weight stigma, attuned nutrition, body acceptance, joyful movement, and more!


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. This Lunch and Learn is free and the next session is
  • Staying Steady – Online – As leaders we are often balancing multiple priorities and demands. This year has been especially difficult in finding ways to stay steady ourselves and ensure the wellbeing of our teams, especially as we continue with Future of Work planning, re-entry anxiety at home/work, and racism as a public health crisis. Join us for an interactive session that focuses on prioritizing your wellbeing as a leader and supporting your team with strategies to build a sense of stability and resiliency, to work more effectively. Sessions are free and are offered monthly. The next session will be:

Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development 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


PTW Elliott

Pet of the Week: Elliott

Hi, my name is Elliott, a six-year-old male Pit Bull/Siberian Husky mix, weighing about 91 pounds. I'm a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality! I am still working on my manners, so I would do best with a family who is willing to work with me and help me become the best dog I can be.

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that RASKC has moved to adoptions by appointment only. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-787 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.


logo

Featured Job: Community Engagement Manager

Salary: $98,560.00 - $132,552.00 Annually

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Appointed

Department: KCC - King County Council

Job Number: 2021-14598

Division: Office of Indep Oversight

Closes: Nov. 11 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time

The Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) is seeking an external affairs and relations professional to lead its public education, engagement, and participation efforts. The Community Engagement Manager will inform, educate, consult, collaborate, build, and foster the communities served by the Sheriff’s Office to participate in law enforcement oversight and reform work in a variety of ways.

Learn more about this position or view all available positions


King County Headlines

Metro General Manager Terry White and his “Week Without Driving” challenge

First residents moving in at North Seattle Health Through Housing hotel

Federal Economic Injury Declaration opens loans for fire-ravaged small businesses in White Center

Contact us

Interested in sharing a news story, or have a news tip? Click here to submit an item to Employee News. For questions or suggestions, please contact KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.

Back issues of the newsletter

Click here for previous editions of the Employee News e-newsletter going back to 2019.