Skip to main content

kingcountysheriff.org is an official government website.

Official government websites use .gov
Website addresses ending in .gov belong to official government organizations in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites.
King County Washington home

Layoff support resources

Resources to help King County employees who are facing layoff.

Preparing for a layoff is a difficult and stressful time. Finding accurate and supportive information is important. This page shares information about programs that can help you land a new job and other resources you can access as you prepare to leave King County employment.

Workforce Development team

The Workforce Development team offers several resources, including virtual career development services and workshops.

Priority Placement program

We understand that experiencing a layoff can be a difficult time for employees and their families.

Career service employees who receive formal written notification of lay off or having their full-time employment reduced are eligible for Priority Placement into non-promotional career service and temporary positions for which they qualify.

Priority Placement means the layoff employee’s eligibility for vacant non-promotional positions will be evaluated immediately for potential placement. Eligible participants will be given priority placement consideration for positions that have the same or lower pay range and are the same or lower FTE level.

Employees are eligible for Priority Placement immediately upon receipt of a written layoff notice and for up to 2 years from the effective date of layoff or until the individual is restored to pre-layoff employment status, whichever comes first.

Using the Priority Placement Program

  1. Determine if you are eligible

    Your department will notify you if you are eligible to participate in the Priority Placement Program.

  2. Search open jobs

    Priority Placement participants should seek open positions posted on the King County Careers page. Prior and active applications should be updated to reflect Priority Placement status. 

    Participants will also be provided with special access to job postings in the Priority Placement Careers site. The job announcements located there have been posted previously and are closed to new applications but may not yet be filled.

    If an eligible Priority Placement participant is qualified and has all required skills, abilities, and experience, they can choose to apply and will be considered. Applications to closed positions displayed on this site will be accepted for 30 days following the first application made on this site.

  3. Department submission and review

    If your application is submitted through the Priority Placement Careers site and meets the position qualifications, it will be submitted to the hiring department.

    The department will evaluate the Priority Placement participant and make a placement determination.

    Eligible Priority Placement participants may appeal process outcome decisions at their discretion. To contact DHR staff by email, please send requests to PriorityPlacement@kingcounty.gov.

Additional resources for employees facing a layoff

General resources

Mental health and well-being

  • Learn about wellness programs offered by Balanced You, your King County employee wellness program.
  • Seek Making Life Easier: free counseling and referrals for employees facing personal issues.
  • Consider the Employee Assistance Program: free counseling to help employees navigate workplace stress.
  • Check out the Financial and Mental Health Resources for King County Employees Facing Layoff Guide developed by Balanced You.
  • Watch our free mindfulness videos for help reducing stress, developed for King County employees.
  • Visit the Balanced You blog for health and well-being tips and resources.

Benefits and financial resources

  • View information on benefits, pay, insurance, and flexible spending account on the Benefits Leaving Employment page.
  • Get information about retirement and learn about the different options available.
  • Free financial wellness resources through My Secure Advantage.
  • If you are enrolled in T. Rowe Price, you may qualify for early withdrawal due to hardship.
  • You may be able to get discounts on products and services through the Employee Discount Program.

Learn from home

  • Check out the Learning and Development training homepage and King County eLearning, with free access to thousands of resources. Both are available on the employee intranet.
  • Complete available trainings to refresh your knowledge of King County policies and practices.
    • Records Management training and resources