Executive Constantine moves Free Youth Transit Pass forward, aiming for implementation in time for school

In his State of the County address last month, Executive Constantine touted the great work of King County Metro and acknowledged key investments for the future, including the Free Youth Transit Pass that will connect youth to the freedom of transit throughout our region. The proposed free youth transit pass builds on King County’s many years of success in providing ORCA passes to middle and high school students during the school year, and also stretching into summertime for those who most need travel support.

By adopting a year-round free youth transit pass policy, King County Metro and other agencies across the state will provide access to a network of public transportation services that expands opportunity and provides equitable access for young people. Read more.

King County’s Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station goes energy neutral with new solar array

Posted by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks

As it becomes more urgent to address the effects of climate change, the Solid Waste Division in King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks is working to provide recycling and waste disposal services throughout the county while reducing its carbon footprint and overall environmental impacts.

At the Vashon Recycling and Transfer Station, a recently completed solar project will help the division reach its climate goals, providing energy-neutral recycling and garbage service to Vashon Island residents for years to come. Read more.

Individual Contributor Award honors Carolina Johnson

This year's recipient of the Individual Contributor award is Carolina Johnson, Data Asset and Technical Manager, Department of Community and Human Services. This award honors an individual contributor who does not directly manage staff.

Carolina is the product owner for the Community and Human Services and Public Health Integrated Data Hub, and she created the first-in-county structures and processes to allow for transparent and responsible data use and interpretation. She moved her project team to quickly generate data analysis that shaped the county’s COVID-19 homelessness response and limited the spread of the virus. She continues to create collaborative data products and support her colleagues in improving their data processes. Click here to watch the video presentation and learn more about Carolina's work.

Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention mourns long-serving head cook

Claro “Ed” Mitre was a beloved figure in the kitchen at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, where he worked as lead cook/baker since the facility opened in 1997.

The father of seven started working at King County jails soon after he retired from the U.S. Navy in 1979. Earlier this year, at 86, he was still keeping up his dedicated routine.

Sadly, Ed passed away on Monday, May 16. He had worked his regular shift the previous Friday. Read more.

Income and employment verification InVerify becomes The Work Number

King County’s income and employment verification service – InVerify – is transitioning to a new provider, The Work Number from Equifax.

The Work Number provides a comprehensive income and employment verification service that helps employees qualify for loans, credit, government aid, and more.

All current InVerify processes will be transferred to the www.theworknumber.com on Wednesday, June 8.

Employees can visit www.employees.theworknumber.com to get the verification services they need to obtain:

• Loans, home mortgages, new jobs, rental qualifications, and 
• Social Service benefits such as temporary assistance, housing assistance, child support, and nutrition assistance. 

For more information, or to access employment verification self-service, visit the Verification of Employment website and follow the instructions. 

AANHPI Trivia Match is Friday, June 10

Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures, immigration histories, foods, communities, and innovation through this year’s Asian Pacific Islander Affinity Group’s annual trivia contest.

Join the action by creating a team or simply enjoy the competition. If you have accessibility needs or requests, or questions, email Christopher Bhang at cbhang@kingcounty.gov.

• Friday, June 10 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. via Zoom, use password: trivia!

Metro celebrates Pride: TRANSforming Transportation 

Employees are invited to a discussion with Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

She will share her experience working in government as an out transgender woman of color, her role with the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the DOT’s vision of delivering a more equitable transportation system. 

• Thursday, June 16 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom, meeting ID: 861 6669 3965 and use password: 206206. For one tap mobile: +12532158782,,86166693965#, and dial in: +1 253-215-8782 U.S.

4Culture: Learn and celebrate this Juneteenth

Last year, after decades of advocacy across the country, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. This year, King County and 4Culture will follow suit.

4Culture celebrates the holiday this year in a way that reflects the organization's mission, vision, and values by sharing inspirational and educational articles, videos, and artwork. Below are a few events in the region:

• AMSA It takes a Village Juneteenth Celebration, June 17-19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Othello Park in Seattle
• Festival Sundiata presents Black Arts Fest, June 17-19 at Seattle Center
• Africatown and the Central District Chamber of Commerce Juneteenth Celebration, June 18 and 19 at Jimmy Hendrix Park in Seattle
• 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Federal Way, Saturday, June 18 from noon to 4 p.m. at Town Square Park
• City of Auburn Presents Juneteenth Family Reunion, Saturday, June 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at Les Gove Park

For more events and information visit the 4Culture website.

King County District Court events celebrate Pride month

King County District Court (KCDC) invites all King County employees to attend a series of informative and inspirational events in honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. The remaining dates and topics for the series "Prejudice, PRIDE, & Progress" are:

• Tuesday, June 14: QLaw presents "LGBTQIA+ 101 – An Overview of Best Practices for Courts"
• Tuesday, June 21: Judge Donna Tucker, KCDC retired Chief Presiding Judge, presents "The History of Legal & Judicial Ethics Regarding Discrimination in the Courts, Business, and Work Place"
• Tuesday, June 28: QLaw presents "Pronoun Inclusion and In-Depth Review of Name Change Procedures"

All sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

King County Disability Equity Network meeting is Tuesday, June 14

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 people with a disability. Employees will not be asked to disclose any information regarding their disability. The King County Disability Equity Network will host its next meeting:

• Tuesday, June 14 from 1 to 2 p.m.  Click here to join the meeting. Closed captioning is available. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov. Future meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.

Mindfulness class schedule

Intro to Mindfulness: Self-compassion: Learn how to befriend yourself, especially when things are tough.

• Friday, June 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. Register here.

Meeting Anxiety with Mindfulness: With a warm, supportive teacher, you will try some simple practices that help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

• Tuesday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon.  Register here.

Discount dogs and cut-rate cats: Pet adoption special now underway

Summer is cooler with a pet, so there has never been a better time to adopt a new furry friend from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).

For a limited time, RASKC will offer 50% off the regular adoption fee on dogs that have been at the Pet Adoption Center longer than 30 days. That means a canine companion could be yours for as little as $50, plus the cost of a pet license if applicable.

If you fancy a feline, the adoption fee for an adult cat six months or older is just $30, and $100 for kittens, plus a pet license fee if applicable. Read more.

Featured Job: Project / Program Manager II - Public Disclosure