Employee News - July 7

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

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Office of Equity and Social Justice Community Compensation Project

King County is working to become an anti-racist and pro-equity government, and is looking toward community engagement and co-creation to reach those most affected by inequality.

One way shown to improve on this inequity is to compensate those in the community who participate in developing county programs. Read more.


beaver boom

How a beaver boom is reshaping floods and fire

Jen Vanderhoof, a senior ecologist with the Water and Land Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, was recently interviewed for a story on beavers. The video was produced by Grist, a non-profit, independent media organization focused on covering climate solutions.

The piece highlights how beavers may offer real protection against climate impacts like flooding and wildfires, if people can learn to live with them. Watch the video.


Employee Spotlight

The intern experience at King County International Airport

KCIA Interns

Originally posted in Plane Talk

Getting an internship at King County International Airport (KCIA) provides a unique opportunity for high school, college, and graduate students. Several new members have joined the team this year to add valuable on-the-job experience to their educations, as well as some fun.

Finding the right people for these roles is a mixture of public relations and recruiting. KCIA puts great effort into this program. Read more. 


Announcements

Crip Camp

Disability Pride Month movie discussion

Disability Pride celebrates the important history of the disability civil rights movement and recognizes contributions that people with disabilities make in workplaces and communities. 

All King County employees are welcome and encouraged to participate in Disability Pride Month events.

Crip Camp movie and discussion

Watch and discuss the Sundance Festival award-winning documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, which tells the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp where teens with disabilities found and built a community that ignited the disability rights movement.

For more information about accommodations and Disability Pride Month events, click here.


meditate asian woman

Mindfulness Classes

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

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

Meeting the Inner Critic: Using mindfulness and self-compassion practices, we'll get curious about negative self-talk. Learn simple, effective tools for being kinder to yourself.

To see the complete mindfulness summer calendar, click here.


Senior African American female

July retirement classes

Check out the following educational opportunities to help you prepare for retirement. These online classes will be held on Zoom or Teams and are provided by your King County Retirement Team.

Introduction to Social Security: Join this 90-minute class if you are interested in learning more about Social Security. Guest speaker Kirk Larson from the Social Security Administration will discuss your options as a King County employee and answer your questions.

Road to Retirement: This 90-minute class is designed for employees who are planning to retire from King County in the next six months. It covers procedures, forms, medical coverage options, and pension plans—so you’ll be on a smooth road toward a happy retirement.

Registration is required. Use the registration links above, then select the date you’d like to attend. Before classes start, you’ll receive a meeting invitation at the email address you register with.

Please note, attendance at retirement classes is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related.

For additional information, visit the King County Retirement page, refer to the Retirement Guide, or contact Carmen Johnson, retirement navigator.


snow monkeys

Seattle Symphony: A Voice of Nature

Seattle Symphony speaker series presents National Geographic photographer Jasper Doest. This event explores the beautiful and fragile relationship between humankind, wildlife, and our shared planet. From a rehabilitated flamingo in Curaçao to the Japanese snow monkeys that soak in local hot springs, Doest aims to give voice to our world's wildlife.

Enter promo code CELEBRATE22 before selecting your seats to receive 15% off and waive all handling fees.

  • Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m.
  • Monday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.

See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.


Coin Jar

Balanced You webinar: Vacation and retirement planning

Dreaming of that lavish vacation you have always wanted to take? Thinking about retiring in a few years? Join Karla Clark, Balanced You Employee Health Specialist, and Tiffany Willis, MSA Financial Coach, for a one-hour conversation on saving for your next vacation and planning for retirement.


WW logo

WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) 

Are you ready to kickstart your journey to better overall health and wellness? Whether you want to learn about nutrition, ways to improve your sleep, or new workout techniques, WW has you covered. 

During July, King County employees and your benefits-covered spouses or state-registered domestic partners who register as new WW members receive a $25 WW Shop credit!

Visit  WW.com/us/Kingcounty to sign up.


Career Support Services:

Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques: This two-hour online workshop provides strategies and tips to help you to do your best during the interview. Learning objectives include:

  • How to prepare for a virtual job interview
  • The interview structure and types of questions you will be asked
  • The STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses
  • General tips and strategies

Multiple dates are available. The next session will be: 

For additional learning and training opportunities, click here.


Training Spotlight:

Cómo Prepararse para Hablar en Público - Online - North Seattle College – Spanish language public speaking class. ¿Se pone muy nervioso al hablar en público?¿Ha sido invitado a dar una presentación, pero no tiene idea de cómo comenzar a prepararse? Entonces, este curso está diseñado para usted! Aprenda a mejorar sus técnicas de oratoria, a manejar el nerviosismo al hablar y a conectar en un nivel más profundo con su audiencia. En este curso los participantes aprenden a presentar con más confianza, reciben herramientas para mejorar su dicción, estructurar una presentación efectivamente y tienen la oportunidad de practicar y recibir retroalimentación sobre sus presentaciones.

This class takes place over three consecutive weeks. There is a $129 registration fee and attendance all three days is required for completion of the class.

  • Tuesdays July 12, 19, and 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Register here.

Leader Mindset – Online – Leader Mindset for King County supervisors and managers sets a foundation that leading a team starts with understanding yourself and your responsibility to create a team culture of belonging where all employees can thrive. In this interactive webinar, participants will take part in engaging activities, small group discussions and action planning. This training is free and will be offered on multiple dates with the next session taking place:

Please visit the King County Eventbrite website and the 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


POTW Ferris

Pet of the Week: Ferris

Hi, I'm Ferris, a six-year-old male ready for adoption! I enjoy being with other pets and love to cuddle, though I like getting attention on my own terms.

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has returned to walk-in services. Learn more about the adoption process on our website. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC by phone at 206-296-PETS (7387) or email pets@kingcounty.gov


Featured Job

Certified Nursing Assistant - Jail Health Services

Salary: $45,635.20 - $57,844.80 Annually

Location: WA 98032, WA

Job Type: Term Limited Temporary, Full Time, 40 hrs/wk

Department: DPH - Public Health

Job Number: 2022DJB16347

Division: Jail Health Services

Closes: Open until filled

The Department of Public Health, Jail Health Services, is hiring Certified Nursing Assistants for an exciting opportunity to participate on a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment offering healthcare services to a socially vulnerable population.

Learn more about this position and veiew all available positions


King County Headlines

Public Health Insider: Monkeypox update

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.