Updates to mask requirements and other COVID-19 restrictions
Starting today, March 1, restrictions on in-person work and in-person meetings will be removed for King County employees, and updated mask requirements and other guidance come into effect. Some additional restrictions will also be removed starting March 12 to align with updated State of Washington guidance.
Learn about new guidance starting today and changes coming March 12.
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King County Executive branch employees are required to complete three mandatory trainings by the beginning of April: Harassment Prevention, Cybersecurity Awareness, and Immigration and Refugee Ordinance.
Click here for more information.
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March is Women's History Month
Women’s History Month has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1980, and it offers a unique opportunity to learn, honor, and celebrate the historic contributions and achievements of women to our nation.
If you’d like to learn more about women's history and the many events taking place this month, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have created a dedicated website “commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.” Find out more at womenshistorymonth.gov.
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The Vets 4 HIRE Program provides hiring managers a supplement to their budget by placing a military veteran in a temporary fellowship assignment using funds from the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy.
It also gives veterans an opportunity to provide their skills and unique experience while filling a need within King County. As this video illustrates, it often leads to a full-time hire of a well-qualified individual who knows the meaning of duty and commitment.
For more information, managers can reach out to their human resources representative or contact Vets 4 HIRE Program Manager Susan Navetski.
Datathon starts March 2: How can better data help your team succeed?
Learn how better data can help your team succeed and drive meaningful change! Join King County CIO Tanya Hannah and special guest speaker Sadeeq Simmons from the WA Dept. of Licensing as they discuss how your agency’s data plays an important role in connecting communities. All King County employees are welcome to attend.
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2022 Engagement Survey starts March 7
King County’s Employee Engagement Survey is back in 2022 and will be translated into five languages. As always, responses will be 100% anonymous. Especially now, as county employees continue to face unprecedented change, hearing from you about your experiences, suggestions, and challenges will help shape our future of work. Click here to find out about this year’s survey.
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Do you file an annual financial disclosure? Watch your email
If your department has determined that you need to file an annual financial disclosure form, watch for an email from donotreply@neogov.com in the coming weeks. For the first time, the Financial Disclosure Program will be sending forms through NEOGOV rather than through county email. Participation in this program is required if you receive the email from NEOGOV. All forms are due by April 15, 2022.
Please contact your department directly if you have questions about why you have been asked to fill out the form. For any questions about the Financial Disclosure Program or the new process, please email financialdisclosure@kingcounty.gov.
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Clean Water Plan building partnerships with community-based organizations
The Clean Water Plan has partnered with eight community-based organizations (CBOs) to understand the needs and interests of historically underrepresented communities in planning for our region’s clean water future.
Why partner with CBOs? King County Wastewater Treatment Division recognizes that community-based organizations are trusted advocates and are experts on the best ways to engage historically underrepresented populations. The Clean Water Plan will guide King County’s investments in our regional wastewater system for the next 40 years, so hearing from diverse communities is important. Click here to read more about this essential program.
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Mindfulness events
Take a holistic approach to your well-being with these upcoming programs.
Intro to Mindfulness - Try these simple practices to use at work and home in this hands-on workshop.
Intro to Mindfulness: Self Compassion - Learn how to befriend yourself, especially when things are tough.
Mindful Movement - An hour of gentle, guided movement appropriate for all bodies.
See the full mindfulness class schedule here.
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Disability Affinity Group monthly meeting March 8
Disability Affinity Group meetings are open to King County employees who self-identify as a person with a disability. Employees will not be asked to disclose any information regarding one’s disability. The next meeting will be held on Teams with closed captioning available.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in the meeting, please email disabilityequity@kingcounty.gov. Future Disability Affinity Group meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.
Stay connected by joining the private Disability Affinity Group Teams site.
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Don't get hacked! Urgent cybersecurity reminders
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has reported a 300% increase in reported cybercrimes since the beginning of COVID-19. Many cyberattacks can be prevented if you take a moment to consider potential threats.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to keep yourself and King County safe:
- Don’t open suspicious links or attachments
- Know how to identify "phishing" attempts
- Only approve multi-factor authentication requests when logging in
Please report any potential cybersecurity concerns to the KCIT Helpdesk at 206-263-HELP (4357) or your department IT support. Thank you for doing your part to protect King County from cyberattacks!
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Technical assistance support available from Best Starts for Kids consultants
Cross-posted from Best Starts for Kids
There are many systemic barriers and inequities that make it challenging for organizations grounded in community services to apply for funding opportunities.
To support organizations as they navigate the application process, Best Starts for Kids partners with technical assistance (TA) consultants who bring a wide range of skills, areas of expertise, and language abilities to listen, support, and amplify the strengths of community-based organizations across King County. Click here to find out more.
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Training Spotlight:
Leader Mindset Webinar – Hit the ground running in 2022 by attending any of the courses in the Leading the Way series. Start the year off right and set your intention to create a safe, inclusive and equitable workplace where every employee can thrive and feel like they belong. Each will set the stage with resources, a supportive network and personalized action steps to make your job easier as a supervisor, manager, project/program leader – or if you aspire to be one. Multiple dates are offered to fit your schedule.The next Leader Mindset class is:
Building Gender Inclusive Spaces – In this two-hour online workshop, participants will learn foundational knowledge of gender and sexuality and best practices to support a gender diverse workforce, with a focus on the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. Participants will have the opportunity to move through real-life scenarios, apply their understanding of pronoun use, and develop strategies to advance gender equity at King County. This training is free and takes place:
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.
Featured Job: Communications Specialist IV
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King County Headlines
King County updates COVID-19 vaccination dashboard
Sound Transit Board approves transaction terms for two transit-oriented developments in SeaTac
King County Local Services virtual town halls for the unincorporated areas return in March
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