Employee News - May 24

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month video series is Thursday, May 26

API video series 2022

There’s a saying in Vietnamese, “Uống nước nhớ nguồn” that translates to “when you drink from a river, remember its origins.” This theme runs through the work of each of the featured community leaders in the series.

This week's video features Erin Shigaki, a Japanese-American artist and community activist. Erin uses large-scale street art to highlight her community's past while pointing the way toward a more just future. Join Erin on a tour of Seattle's Chinatown International District to hear the stories behind some of the neighborhood's iconic art pieces. You can see the Facebook video here and YouTube video here.

Special presentation

Celebrate the local contributions of Erin Shigaki, chef Rachel Yang, and writer and UW professor Shawn Wong during a special viewing of all three videos in the series. Participants include UW Professor Raissa DeSmet and students from the Southeast Asian Pasts and Futures (SEAPF) program. 

  • Thursday, May 26 at 11 a.m. on KCTV Livestream or channels 22 and 322 (HD).

The event will be hosted by Rosa Mai, legislative aide to Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and is brought to you by the API Affinity Group of the legislative branch. 


Japanese Warning Exec Order 9066

King County Law Library webinar: Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration

As part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage month, the King County Law Library recently hosted a webinar titled "Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration." 

The first part of this program is a screening of Alternative Facts – a film that uncovers the history of lies used to justify the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans. 

It was followed by a powerful panel discussion with the filmmaker Jon Osaki, attorney, author, and former Seattle University School of Law professor Lorraine Bannai, and King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi. The discussion was moderated by attorney Serin Ngai, with opening comments by Dua Abudiab, Executive Director of the King County Bar Association.

You can watch the film and discussion at King County Law Library Webinar: Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration.


Via Shuttle car

Metro takes Womens Transportation Seminar (WTS) participants on tours of innovative transit projects

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

King County Metro is always working to improve mobility around the region and is committed to sharing approaches with other agencies. This past week, Seattle hosted attendees of the WTS International Conference and Metro rolled out the welcome mat.

WTS promotes the advancement of women in the transportation industry, and its conferences attract some of the most influential and innovative thinkers in transit. Dozens of attendees took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the history and operations of several of Metro's exciting transportation projects and innovations. WTS participants took the tours around the region by light rail, trolley, and flexible service vans. Click here to read the full story.


Employee Spotlights

Performance Excellence Awards

Innovation Award for Cost honorees

Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

This year's recipient for the Innovation Award for Cost is the Department of Executive Services/Business and Finance Operations/Procurement and Payables Section – Strategic Sourcing Program. 

Residents rely on King County government to be a responsible steward of resources. To ensure the county gets the best value for its dollar, the Procurement and Payables Section launched the Strategic Sourcing Program. Watch the video to learn how the program uses data, market research, and benchmarking to make wise purchasing decisions – and to support businesses that align with the county’s sustainability and equity and social justice goals. Click here to watch the award presentation. 


Teshim Awalom Metro

Operator Teshim Awalom receives award for assisting disabled rider

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

Last New Year’s Eve, while driving Metro Route 5 in north Seattle, Operator Teshim Awalom saw a pedestrian trying to recover their walker, which had fallen in the snow. Teshim worked with the person to locate the walker, helped them onto his bus, and asked if they needed any medical assistance.

On May 19, King County Metro General Manager Terry White recognized Awalom’s actions that snowy day, presenting him with the George Turner Award, given by the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Chapter member DeeAnne Cooper was at Metro’s Central Base to congratulate Awalom for the award. Click here to read the full story.


Announcements

Cash Money

Protecting your assets with insurance

Insurance is more than just a safety net. It is part of your overall financial strategy. In this My Secure Advantage class, you will learn the importance of vehicle, property, life, and other common forms of insurance.

The goal for this webinar is to equip you with the information you need to assess the right coverage for your life and assets. You will also receive tips and best practices for shopping around and getting the best rates.


Trailhead Direct 2022

Leave the car, hit the trail: Trailhead Direct returns May 28

King County’s Trailhead Direct transit service will return for the season beginning on Saturday, May 28. This summer, King County Metro and King County Parks are focusing the transit-to-trails service on its 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 easily get to the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station, where Trailhead Direct coaches will depart every 30 minutes. The 2022 season will include service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. See the full announcement here.


mindfulness class woman

Mindfulness Classes

Mindful Parenting: Some say it is the "world's hardest job." Use mindfulness to help meet the joys and challenges of parenting.

Introduction to Mindfulness: Learn simple practices to use at work and home in this hands-on workshop.

Mindful Leadership: Learn how mindfulness can help you become a more effective and compassionate leader.


pride parade

Seattle Pride Parade is back, and King County is marching

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. to join with colleagues to represent King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to participate.

T-shirts will be available for sale, so stand by for more information. There will be 150 adult size t-shirts available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis the morning of the parade.

Further details about when and where to meet for the Parade will be sent out once it is available. To stay up to date on all things related to the Pride Parade, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line "PRIDE Info." 


Career Support Services:

Creating Effective Application Materials – This two-hour online workshop provides tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives: 

  • Understand the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter, and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective 
  • Decide what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications 
  • How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position 
  • Identify and showcase your accomplishments and transferable skills 

There are multiple dates available. The next workshop will be:

For more information about Career Support Services visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.


logo

Featured Job: Family Law Court Commissioner

Salary: $189,691.00 Annually

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Type: Regular, Full time, 35 hrs/week

Department: KCSC - Superior Court

Job Number: 2022-16019

Closes: Tuesday, May 31 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

King County Superior Court is hiring a Family Law Court Commissioner! Family Law Commissioners' duties include presiding over matters pertaining to Family and/or Juvenile Law and Civil Commitments and may be designated to sit as judges pro tempore as needed. 

Learn more about this position or view all King County available positions


King County Headlines

Everyone 5 years+ should get a COVID-19 booster shot

Public Health Insider: Presumptive case of Monkeypox virus in King County

“Con Confianza y En Comunidad” celebrates two years of support for the community

King County Parks breaks ground on a new trail bridge connecting Eastrail to Wilburton Station in Bellevue

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.

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